John D’Ambra

The Influence of National and Organizational Cultures on Technology Use: An Exploratory Study within a Multinational Organizational Setting

This article presents the results of an exploratory study examining the influence of national and organizational cultures on technology use in a multinational organizational (MNO) context. Data were collected from 121 respondents of a multinational organization in the Asia Pacific with headquarters in Australia and three subsidiaries in Asia: Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Even though significant differences were found between respondents from headquarters and subsidiaries in terms of perceived media richness and preference for telephone and written documents, very similar media preference patterns for face-to-face and e-mail between the headquarters and subsidiaries were identified. Furthermore, face-to-face and e-mail were two primary media used for most communication activities in this MNO. Follow-up interviews revealed that the universal organizational culture of this MNO may explain media use consistency between the headquarters and subsidiaries. Implications of the findings are discussed and future research considered.

An Empirical Investigation of the Adoption of Egovernment in Australian Citizens: Some Unexpected Research Findings

There has existed a rich research literature on adoption of information technology (IT) in private commercial organizations. Most prior researches in the field are drawn upon two dominant theories: Theory of Reasoned Actions (TRA) (13) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (11). However, there has been relatively little research done on adoption of eGovemment in public citizens, which was explored in this study based on the TAM theory. The research findings reported that perceived usefulness (PU), which has been validated to be the most reliable predictor of influencing IT adoption behaviors in private commercial organizations in the research literature, was found not significant in influencing eGovemment adoption in public citizens. This was the unexpected research finding, which questioned the validity of directly extending the TAM theory into studying eGovemment adoption issues in public sectors. Implications of the research findings were discussed.

Analyzing consumer goal structure in online group buying: A means-end chain approach

Abstract Given the enormous growth and significant impacts of group buying on Internet business marketplaces, this study aims to understand consumer goal structure in online group buying (OGB) contexts using a means-end chain approach. Using the laddering interview technique, 52 OGB consumers were interviewed. From the interview data, we identified 27 goals consumers pursued and their goal striving paths that are summarized in the hierarchical goal structure. This study has the potential to make significant contributions to both information systems research and e-commerce by utilizing a different approach to explain consumer technology adoption behavior.

Building loyalty in e-commerce: Towards a multidimensional trust-based framework for the case of China

Purpose Although recent years have shown increasing popularity of e-commerce worldwide, there is still a lack of studies comprehensively exploring trust issue in e-commerce. Based on trust transfer theory and signaling theory, the purpose of this paper is to present an integrated research model to test the relationships between trust dimensions and e-loyalty, interactions among trust dimensions, as well as antecedents of different trust dimensions. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a web-based survey in Chinese markets and structural equation modeling with partial least squares was used to analyze the data. Findings The results identified that three trust dimensions all have significant impacts on e-loyalty, and relationships existed in different trust dimensions. Moreover, information quality and security protection are important factors determining institutional trust while store reputation is the most salient factor determining interpersonal trust. Originality/value This research contributes to the body of knowledge on trust by exploring the nature of trust with a multidimensional scale. Another theoretical contribution is the provision of a comprehensive understanding of the trust antecedents in e-commerce. Furthermore, this research benefits the companies doing e-businesses by allowing them to better understand how to improve consumers’ trust in the online environment and thus to retain and attract more loyal customers and succeed in online businesses.

Continuance of E-Textbook Use by Tertiary Students: A Qualitative Approach

ABSTRACT Textbooks are an important information resource for tertiary students. E-textbooks are now widely available and accessible to students offering them distinct advantages over print books at lower costs. However the uptake of e-textbooks has been slow and student preferences for either medium are not well understood. This study adopts a qualitative approach using an expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) lens and revealed causal mapping to understand from students participating in focus groups, their intentions to continue using e-textbooks. We extend ECT by including two new constructs: perceived quality and perceived value. The results assist in interpreting students’ behavior regarding intentions to continue using e-textbooks and the efficacy of the extended ECT model.

Affordance Theory and E-Books: Evaluating the E-reading Experience Using Netnography

E-books have changed the business of book publishing and the reading experience of the general public. Dedicated e-readers and other smart devices are integral to e-books offering affordances to overcome the physical limitations of print book and to provide the functionality of information technology. Using netnography, comments by online readers to articles in The New York Times and Scientific American were analysed and coded by themes identified in the literature of e-books versus print books. An affordance theory approach was used to provide insights into the readers’ perceptions of real and actual affordances and the value delivered by these affordances. Comments by online readers of two diverse datasets confirm results found in questionnaires and surveys reported in the academic literature. It is the physical attributes and functionality of smart devices used in e-reading that provides the opportunity of affordance. Our study provides support for an affordance perspective of e-books and e-readers. It also highlights preferences for e-books and/or print books in various contexts. To our knowledge, it is the first to consider e-readers as an IT artefact providing information processing capabilities.

Search Engine Advertising Adoption and Utilization: An Empirical Investigation of Inflectional Factors

Search engine advertising (SEA) is a prominent source of revenue for search engine companies, and also a solution for businesses to promote their visibility on the web. However, there is little academic research available about the factors and the extent to which they may influence businesses’ decision to adopt SEA. Building on Theory of Planned Behavior, Technology Acceptance Model, and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, this study develops a context-specific model for understanding the factors that influence the decision of businesses to use SEA. Using structural equation modeling and survey data collected from 142 businesses, this research finds that the intention of businesses to use SEA is directly influenced by four factors: (i) attitude toward SEA, (ii) subjective norms, (iii) perceived control over SEA, and (iv) perceived benefits of SEA in terms of increasing web traffic, increasing sales and creating awareness. Furthermore, the research we discover six additional factors that have an indirect influence: (i) trust in search engines, (ii) perceived risk of SEA, (iii) ability to manage keywords and bids, (iv) ability to analyze and monitor outcomes, (v) advertising expertise, and (vi) using external experts.

The Role of Trust in the Initial Adoption of Identity Management Systems

Trust plays a critical role in exchange relationships, including unknown risks in the online environment. With respect to the adoption of identity management systems (IdMS), users face similar situations and must rely on trust to overcome their risk perceptions because many online interactions require the user to disclose identity information. Previous studies showed that trust significantly influenced and increased the individual’s behavioral intention toward a particular Web-based service or technology. However, researchers have not explored the role of trust in IdMS adoption. This study identifies multidimensional trust perceptions in the initial adoption stage of the IdMS and aims to understand and examine their affect toward user behavioral intentions to adopt IdMS. A research model of initial trust formation is developed and includes trusting beliefs (trust in IdMS providers and IdMS artifact) and institution-based trust (trust in the Internet). The conclusion of this paper outlines the implications and suggests further directions for future research in this area.