Exploring the Factors Influencing Employees’ Willingness to Use Mobile Applications in Oman: Using UTAUT Model

Abstract

Nowadays, people are on the move and they are using mobile applications on mobile phones, tablets, or other mobile devices. That is why mobile applications are becoming so much important in our daily-life. Mobile applications allow customers to have services readily available. Obviously, mobile technology is significantly expanding governments' capacity to extend access to existing services, to expand the delivery of new services, to increase active citizen participation in government operations and to change the way of working within the public sector. Most government departments/agencies are facing some challenges and barriers adopting mobile applications. The factors that influence the employees' acceptance and willingness to use these applications in their daily work are crucial; therefore, exploring such factors is of significant importance. This study aims to investigate Omani government employees' willingness to adopt and use mobile applications. In addition, it aims to explore the extent to which the employees believe that mobile applications' adoption contributes in improving productivity and work efficiency. The investigation employs a research model, which is based on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). To achieve research objectives a quantitative approach was adopted, in which questionnaire was utilized to collect the required data. It was found that the performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions (independent variables) have positive influence on the behavioral intention of the government employees to use the mobile applications, and the moderators (age, gender, experience and awareness) have a moderating impact on the relationship between the independent factors and behavioral intention to use the mobile applications.