The Adoption and Use of Electronic Information Resources by a Non-Traditional User Group: Automotive Service Technicians.

The growing complexity of machines has led to a concomitant increase in the amount and complexity of the information needed by those charged with servicing them. This, in turn, has led to a need for more robust methods for storing and distributing information and for a workforce more sophisticated in its use of information resources. As a result, the service trades have "professionalized," adopting more rigorous academic standards and developing ongoing certification programs. The current paper deals with the acceptance of advanced electronic information technology by skilled service personnel, specifically, automotive service technicians. The theoretical basis of the study is Davis' technology acceptance model. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of three external factors on the operation of the model: age, work experience, and education/certification level. The research design is in two parts, beginning with an onsite observation and interviews to establish the environment. During the second part of the research process a survey was administered to a sample of automotive service technicians. Results indicated significant inverse relationships between age and acceptance and between experience and acceptance. A significant positive relationship was shown between education, particularly certification, and acceptance.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2006

Author dc:creator

• Almquist, Arne J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schamber, Linda
• Grose, B. Donald, 1943-
• Turner, Philip M., 1948-

• Automobile mechanics.
• Automobiles -- Maintenance and repair -- Electronic information resources.
• Information behavior.
• technology acceptance model
• work experience
• acceptance
• automotive service

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Almquist, Arne J.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 70279608
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5301/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc5301

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc5301