The Influence of Image on the Acceptance of Mobile Technology

Abstract

Mobile phones are used to perform various activities in SMEs. The reliance on mobile technology is even more fuelled by the low ICT readiness in the majority of developing nations like poor infrastructures, lack of formal policy frameworks, and lack of reliable electric power supply. While mobile phones are continuously produced and used, some factors influence their usage in various contexts. One of the factors which has not been investigated in the SMEs context is personal image. This research closes this gap by assessing whether Image can potentially be a factor of concern when employees of SMEs use mobile phones for work. This study employs a survey with SEM and AMOS for analysis. The theoretical model was formulated by extending TAM. Among others, the results show that image tends to significantly influence the perceived usefulness of mobile phones in SME settings.