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

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Organizational Behavior
• Cross-Cultural Psychology

Background:

• Health information technology (HIT) can enhance healthcare efficiency and quality.
• Implementation failures often stem from user resistance and behavioral issues.
• Existing technology acceptance models may not universally apply across different cultures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how national cultural values moderate technology acceptance in hospitals.
• To integrate cultural dimensions into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).
• To identify specific cultural values influencing user behavior towards HIT.

Main Methods:

• Utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least squares (PLS).
• Developed and tested seven hypotheses.
• Collected data from 160 clinicians and non-clinicians in a hospital setting.

Main Results:

• Uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity, and time orientation were identified as key cultural moderators.
• Masculine cultural values, high uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation positively influenced behavioral intention to use technology.
• These cultural factors shape technology acceptance within hospital environments.

Conclusions:

• The Italian healthcare sector's bureaucratic nature influences technology adoption decisions.
• Cultural values related to masculinity, risk aversion, and long-term orientation affect technology use intention via social norms.
• Understanding cultural nuances is crucial for successful HIT implementation.