Augmenting the technology acceptance model with trust model for the initial adoption of a blockchain-based system

Area of Science:

• Information Systems
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Blockchain Technology

Background:

• Blockchain and smart contracts offer data integrity in collaborative environments, removing reliance on central systems.
• User acceptance is vital for the sustained adoption of blockchain-based systems (BBS).
• Limited research exists on user acceptance of real-world blockchain applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate user acceptance of a real-life blockchain-based system (BBS).
• To identify latent variables influencing user attitudes and intention to use BBS.
• To explore the role of trust, security, and privacy in BBS adoption, extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).

Main Methods:

• An augmented TAM with a Trust Model was applied to a BBS with two subsystems: Shopping Cart System (SCS) and Data Sharing System (DSS).
• Online surveys were conducted with participants after system usage, including pre-test and post-test data.
• Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• The research model was validated, supporting most hypotheses.
• TAM predictors and trust constructs do not apply uniformly to all BBS; relationships vary based on system specifics.
• For the SCS (end-users), trust was the strongest determinant of attitude, while perceived privacy was strongest for the DSS (administrators). System quality most influenced SCS intention to use, and perceived usefulness most influenced DSS intention to use.
• Trust positively affected attitudes towards both systems, but security did not significantly affect attitudes.
• Privacy positively affected trust in SCS; both privacy and security significantly affected trust in DSS.
• Trust moderated the relationship between privacy and attitudes in both systems.

Conclusions:

• BBS development requires tailored approaches, focusing on trust and privacy.
• Trust is a critical factor for end-user acceptance (SCS).
• Perceived privacy is paramount for administrator acceptance (DSS).
• Security's direct impact on attitudes towards BBS was not significant, but it influenced trust in DSS.
• Future BBS development should prioritize enhancing user trust and perceived privacy.