Personality and technology acceptance: the influence of personality factors on the core constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model

Abstract

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is one of the most used models in information science. Although several studies investigate the relationship between individual difference variables and TAM, none are conclusive about the relationship between personality and the TAM constructs. The current study seeks to investigate the degree to which users' assessments of the core constructs of TAM are influenced by their personality as measured by a short version of the IPIP Big Five inventory. A web-based survey method was used where users (n = 1004) read a description of a software tool before completing personality and TAM inventories. The results indicate that personality influence behavioural intention (BI) both directly and mediated through the TAM beliefs. Personality can also influence the TAM beliefs without influencing BI. Extraversion has significant, positive relations to BI and this relation is fully mediated by the TAM beliefs. Emotional stability is related to BI, but this relation is not mediated by the TAM beliefs. Openness to experience is significantly and positively related to perceived ease of use, but does not influence BI.

Keywords:

• Technology Acceptance Model
• personality
• Big Five
• survey