Proposed Methodology

Proposed Methodology

4.1 Introduction

This chapter will discuss detailed procedures that were followed to come up with a final, conclusive report on the project. Also, it will provide information about the population of the study, the criterion that was used to include the people into the research, and the sampling technique that was used to get data that will get used in the analysis. The chapter will also provide the research design that got used for the study and the reason why this design was chosen. All instruments that got used for data collection are clearly described in this chapter, and the steps followed during the study are also indicated. Methods used to analyze data are also described in this part. All the codes of ethics concerning data collection and analysis that got followed during the study by the researcher will also get discussed in detail.

This section of the research will start with a clear discussion of the research framework and variables that are selected for the study purpose. The chapter will then analyze the study hypothesis before proceeding to other areas that the section will analyze. Other areas of the section will explain the research approach that was used during the study and the research methods used during the study. Other areas that the study will look into are; the research type used in the study, a design used to develop the questionnaire that will be used to collect primary data for the study purposes. The rest of the chapter will explain sampling procedure used by the researcher to ensure efficient and unbiased data collection procedure and finally proposed methodology part will discuss data analysis process that the research will utilize to analyze the study findings and come up with a final report.

4.2 Adoption Model

Social aspects have direct impacts on the adoption of e-government services by citizens. (Guanghua, 2009). It is imperative to note that the government’s investment in technological services is a consequence of what citizens, employees, and business need without considering what enhances their readiness to embrace technology systems for delivery of government services. It is sufficient to note that for successful implementation, there is a need to clearly define the priorities and also the frameworks regarding the vision of the services provided and ensures that they are consistent with national policies (Misuraca, 2006). Moreover, there is also an urgency to understand the variables which significantly affect the perceptions of citizens and consider them when implementing e-government services (Mofleh & Wanous, 2008).

Notably, the customers determine the success of the technological services and thus the need for the government to accommodate both the external and internal requirements, perceptions of individuals, and the elements to establish strategies that will enhance a successful execution and adoption. In a bid to promote successful adoption, it is critical to take into consideration trust security, risk issues. Employees represent the internal customers of the government. The government should be able to recognize the opinions of civil servants concerning the integration of e-government services. Investigating the attitudes of civil servants will provide clear guidelines on how to assure government services. Trust issues, for example, are among the primary concerns of most of the employees, primarily because of the increased concern with regards to cyber-security. In this case, it is essential to reinforce the perceived benefits, especially with regards to the increased transparency in business and also the need to institute the different measures for safety and credibility. It worth noting that the government should be able to engage in mobilization programs to significantly convince the general public about the perceived benefits of implementing and also adopting the electronic services as provided by the government. It is sufficient to note that integrating electronic system in the delivery of government services enhance speed and reduces delays. Moreover, it is vital to inform the public also about benefits such as improving transparency within the administrative structure of the government and communication participation and also speeding up procedures and responses concerning inquiries.

In a bid to develop an adequate model, it is vital to understand the different models, including the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM), Extended Technological Acceptance Model (TAM2), and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and try to incorporate the elements such as trust in the model. Therefore, the diverse cognitive aspects, such as the perceived social forces, are integrated into the joined model together with Trust and Perceived Risk.

4.3 Technology Acceptance Model 

The TAM model is among the standard models and theories that can be used in enhancing an understanding of the adoption behaviors. The underlying objective of the TAM is to provide insights into the aspects that enable computer acceptance (Marangunić & Granić, 2015). Therefore, this makes it possible for the model to explain the different user behaviors, especially with regards to the various technologies relating to computing. Two of the significant make-up of the TAM are the convenience of use and also the perceived usefulness, which substantially impacts an individual’s eagerness to embrace new technology. The convenience of use entails the level to which one considers that its comfortable to use a specific system without significant mental and physical effort.

Moreover, the perceived usefulness involves the benefits that one believes they might get from using a particular system, especially with regards to their job requirements (Karavasilis, Zafiropoulos & Vrana, 2010). Therefore, this model is valid and is applied in examining the adoption behaviors of users with regards to technology services and enhancing the establishment of acceptance frameworks. It is imperative to note that one of the underlying advantages of this system is that it can be extended when there is an introduction of new technologies. It is worth noting that, depending on the particular technology introduced, there is usually an additional construct that affects technology adoption behaviors. Thus, other variables should be included beyond the usefulness and ease of use constructs (Abdullah & Ward, 2016). Therefore, TAM cannot be used as the primary model for investigating the adoption of technology and thus the need to include other models to help expand on the understanding of technological adoption.

4.4 The Extended Technology Acceptance Model 

The model integrates two different theoretical approaches, that is, the cognitive instrumental processes and social influence processes. Markedly, job relevance involves the perceptions that an individual has especially with regards to the benefits of the technology to an individual’s job. Quality is the perception of an individual how the effectiveness of a particular technological system in executing different tasks relevant to a person’s job. Results demonstrability mainly entails the diverse approaches of the results when using a specific technology. It is worth noting that individuals integrate subjective norm where the primary determinant for the use of technology is triggered by who in the society is using the technology. For example, individuals tend to look at the important people in life to determine whether they can or cannot use a technology. Image represents the perceptions that individuals have on the use of technology. Consequently, this is done to enhance an individual’s status in society. However, the most significant constructs, as proposed by Wiley-Patton & Chismar (2003), is the quality of the technology and the perceived usefulness.

4.5 Diffusion of Innovations Theory 

The Diffusion Innovation Theory proposes five distinct features that impact on the rate of technological diffusion. The characteristics include the, compatibility, relative advantage, complexity, observability and trialability. Relative advantage constitutes the level at that a technological system is seen as better than the idea it supersedes. Compatibility demonstrates how a technological system reinforces the values and the needs of those adopting the technology. Complexity is mainly how difficult it is to understand the functioning of a technological system. Finally, observability primarily relates to the results that can be witnessed from the adoption of the technology. It is worth noting that an e-government website is based on technologies, and thus, all the models of technological adoption significant apply (Lai, 2017). The major aspects that are used to ascertain the intention to use include compatibility, relative advantage and the complexity of the technology. Often, individuals, especially in emerging nations like in the Arab Peninsula, are not exposed to the technological systems. Most of the government services are delivered with a lot of paperwork. Therefore, most individuals tend to have intentions of using a technology that is consistent with their experience. In this case, technology with a user-friendly interface, for example, encourages the intentions of an individual to use a particular technology. Therefore, the perceived ease of use is a critical aspect of enhancing the adoption of new technology. Hence, most of the three dimensions, relative advantage, convenience to use and compatibility are mainly the aspects that can affect someone at an individual level. Although observability is critical, it is vital to consider the fact that individuals respond differently to new technologies. Therefore, individuals tend to consider how ease they can integrate the technology into their daily lives as opposed to the usefulness of the technology.

4.6 Hypotheses Formulation 

The objective is to propose a model, which brings together the cognitive aspects such as the output quality and job relevance, the perceived social forces such as the subjective norm and image, and the intrinsic elements of adoption together with trust and perceived risks. Therefore, the hypothesis helps in guiding the development of the model. The unified model helps in testing the following hypothesis;

H1: Trust in government websites directly impacts the perceived risks.

H2: Perceived risk directly influences the Intent to use.

H3: Compatibility influences the Intent to use in a direct way.

H4: Relative advantage directly has implications on the Intent to use.

H5: Convenience of use have direct impacts on the perceived value.

H6: Perceived value directly has implications on the Intent to use.

H7: Security directly impacts on the Intent to use.

H8: Security impacts the perceived value in a direct way.

H9: Demographics elements (Age, Level of education) impacts directly on Awareness.

H10: Awareness has a positive correlation with perceived value.

H11: Relevance to a particular job has a direct impact on perceived value.

H12:  Quality has direct effects from the perceived value.