Information technology acceptance in the social services sector context: an exploration

Although computers and information technology (IT) have penetrated the field of social work, little research has systematically studied how users respond to this infusion. Information systems researchers have accumulated significant insights into IT acceptance in business organizations after decades of efforts. In this study, users in the social services were assessed for their acceptance of IT. A research model based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior was developed, arguing that attitudes toward using IT, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are important antecedents of intentions to use IT, which affect actual usage. In addition, users consider the benefits that they bring to their organizations and clients through using IT when forming their attitudes toward using IT. Data collected from users of a Homeless Management Information System in a northeastern U.S. state verified the research model. The results suggest new interventions to promote IT acceptance by users in the social services sector.