Executive Decisions About Adoption of Information Technology in Small Business: Theory and Empirical Tests

David A. Harrison, Peter P. Mykytyn and Cynthia K. Riemenschneider
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David A. Harrison: Department of Management, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019
Peter P. Mykytyn: Department of Information Systems and Management Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019
Cynthia K. Riemenschneider: Department of Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

Information Systems Research, 1997, vol. 8, issue 2, 171-195

Abstract: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used to explain and predict small business executives’ decisions to adopt information technology (IT). These theories were tested in a multiphase field study involving 162 small businesses (25 (le) n (le) 200 employees) from a broad set of industries considering a variety of ITs. Results indicate strong support for a decision process based on attitude (perceived positive and negative consequences for the firm), subjective norm (social expectations), and perceived control (resources to overcome obstacles) regarding IT adoption. Additional variables such as firm and individual executive characteristics had no unique effect on adoption decisions. However, as business size increased, so did the importance of expectations from the (social) environment, while the importance of intra-firm consequences and control over potential adoption barriers declined.

Keywords: information technology usage in small business; theory of planned behavior; information technology adoption decisions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1997
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