Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context

Abstract Background Current research demonstrates that health information technology can improve the efficiency and quality of health services. However, many implementation projects have failed due to behavioural problems associated with technology usages, such as underuse, resistance, sabotage, and...

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Main Authors: C. Metallo, R. Agrifoglio, L. Lepore, L. Landriani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-01-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07488-3
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author C. Metallo
R. Agrifoglio
L. Lepore
L. Landriani
author_facet C. Metallo
R. Agrifoglio
L. Lepore
L. Landriani
author_sort C. Metallo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Current research demonstrates that health information technology can improve the efficiency and quality of health services. However, many implementation projects have failed due to behavioural problems associated with technology usages, such as underuse, resistance, sabotage, and even rejection by potential users. Therefore, user acceptance was one of the main factors contributing to the success of health information technology implementation. However, research suggests that behavioural models do not universally hold across cultures. The present article considers national cultural values (power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, and time orientation) as individual difference variables that affect user behaviour and incorporates them into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as moderators of technology acceptance relationships. Therefore, this research analyses which national cultural values affect technology acceptance behaviour in hospitals. Methods The authors develop and test seven hypotheses regarding this relationship using the partial least squares (PLS) technique, a structural equation modelling method. The authors collected data from 160 questionnaires completed by clinicians and non-clinicians working in one hospital. Results The findings show that uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity, and time orientation are the national cultural values that affect technology acceptance in hospitals. In particular, individuals with masculine cultural values, higher uncertainty avoidance, and a long-term orientation influence behavioural intention to use technology. Conclusion The bureaucratic model still decisively characterises the Italian health sector and consequently affects the choices of firms and workers, including the choice of technology adoption. Cultural values of masculinity, risk aversion, and long-term orientation affect intention to use through social norms rather than through perceived utility.
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spelling doaj.art-bc7b61b41d1444bca88f700d415434592022-12-21T19:44:09ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-01-0122111010.1186/s12913-022-07488-3Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital contextC. Metallo0R. Agrifoglio1L. Lepore2L. Landriani3Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples ParthenopeDepartment of Business and Economics, University of Naples ParthenopeDepartment of Law, University of Naples ParthenopeDepartment of Business and Economics, University of Naples ParthenopeAbstract Background Current research demonstrates that health information technology can improve the efficiency and quality of health services. However, many implementation projects have failed due to behavioural problems associated with technology usages, such as underuse, resistance, sabotage, and even rejection by potential users. Therefore, user acceptance was one of the main factors contributing to the success of health information technology implementation. However, research suggests that behavioural models do not universally hold across cultures. The present article considers national cultural values (power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, and time orientation) as individual difference variables that affect user behaviour and incorporates them into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as moderators of technology acceptance relationships. Therefore, this research analyses which national cultural values affect technology acceptance behaviour in hospitals. Methods The authors develop and test seven hypotheses regarding this relationship using the partial least squares (PLS) technique, a structural equation modelling method. The authors collected data from 160 questionnaires completed by clinicians and non-clinicians working in one hospital. Results The findings show that uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity, and time orientation are the national cultural values that affect technology acceptance in hospitals. In particular, individuals with masculine cultural values, higher uncertainty avoidance, and a long-term orientation influence behavioural intention to use technology. Conclusion The bureaucratic model still decisively characterises the Italian health sector and consequently affects the choices of firms and workers, including the choice of technology adoption. Cultural values of masculinity, risk aversion, and long-term orientation affect intention to use through social norms rather than through perceived utility.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07488-3Health information technologyTechnology Acceptance ModelNational culture
spellingShingle C. Metallo
R. Agrifoglio
L. Lepore
L. Landriani
Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
BMC Health Services Research
Health information technology
Technology Acceptance Model
National culture
title Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
title_full Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
title_fullStr Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
title_full_unstemmed Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
title_short Explaing users’ technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
title_sort explaing users technology acceptance through national cultural values in the hospital context
topic Health information technology
Technology Acceptance Model
National culture
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07488-3
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AT llandriani explainguserstechnologyacceptancethroughnationalculturalvaluesinthehospitalcontext