Research model & hypotheses

Figure 1

As mentioned above, according to many prior studies, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) have integrated outcomes, which refer specifically to technology adoption. In this particular research, I will quote the TAM and Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau models and hypotheses. Base on the TAM and the researchers Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau (2009) considering the characteristic of Hexie in the Chinese culture, we developed our research model to explain the determinants of individuals’ evaluation towards new e-government systems, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Base on previous studies, in this particular research was focus on cultural factors, the model base on the tradition TAM. The model inherits TAM’s two core variables, perceived usefulness (PU), defined as “the prospective user’s subjective probability that using a specific application system will increase his or her job performance within an organizational context” (Davis et al., 1989), and perceived ease of use (PEOU), defined as “the degree to which the prospective user expects the target system to be free of effort” (Davis et al., 1989). Traditionally TAM and other former behavioral intention models (e.g., TPB, TAM2) all follow the logical path of “Determinant > Attitude >Intention > Actual Use,” which has been widely validated in the voluntary environment (Davis et al., 1989; Taylor & Todd, 1995) In this particular study, Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau (2009) indicates that although the individual users are required to use the system by their superiors, the extent of use may vary, and in turn, the users’ performance may also vary more or less. Therefore, the influence path in the mandatory environment is considered as “Determinant >Attitude >User Performance.”In governmental organizations, individuals usually do not have the right to decide to adopt the system or not. Employees in the government often have to abide to their superiors’ intention in information systems adoption (Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau, 2009). In this study, determinants of individuals’ evaluation towards new e-government systems, therefore, following Davis’ original model (Davis, 1989), the three basic hypotheses are as follows:

Hypothesis 1: Perceived usefulness will have a positive effect on general evaluation toward the target system.

Hypothesis 2: Perceived ease of use will have a positive effect on general evaluation toward the target system.

Hypothesis 3: Perceived ease of use will have a positive effect on perceived usefulness

According to pervious study, it links with Chinese cultural context. In recent years, as more as Chinese immigrants to immigrate New Zealand, let New Zealand becomes multiethnic and multicultural. New Zealand government increasingly implements different types of e-government services. New Chinese immigrants would learn how to use New Zealand e-government services. They would learn how to communicate with the government and gain benefits from New Zealand e-government. Computer skills are important factors which influence the adoptions and uses of e-government services. New Chinese immigrants come to New Zealand; they would use e-government services if they have the government internet assess in their home. If new Chinese immigrants encounter any problems in e-government services, they will make recommendations to the government in New Zealand. As mention above, I already introduced the harmonious (Hexie) world in Chinese culture. Focus on the factor of perceived fit, it related to the TAM model, which are perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. In this particular study, Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau (2009) indicates that perceived fit may also influence that perceived usefulness, as a user that feels that the system does not fit with his or her work and life style is likely to consider the system as not useful to him or her. For the model, Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau (2009) suppose that perceived fit would have significant influence on IT/IS evaluation both directly and indirectly through perceived usefulness, as does perceived ease of use. Therefore, Zhang, Guo, chen and Chau (2009) indicates the two hypotheses of perceive fit:

Hypothesis 4: Perceived fit will have a positive effect on general evaluation toward the target system.

Hypothesis 5: Perceived fit will have a positive effect on perceived usefulness.