Technology acceptance model-based research on differences of enterprise resources planning systems use in India and the European Union

Abstract

Acceptance of enterprise resources planning (ERP) systems remains among the major concerns of organisations in the global economy. In the past, research has primarily focused on ERP systems in the early stages of their life-cycle. Because ERP systems are no longer new for organisations, recent research attempts are focused on their use in the maturity stage and different environments. In the article, we compared the results of two studies focused on ERP advanced use in their maturity stage in two different but important socio-economic cultural backgrounds. This has, from the research perspective and to the best of our knowledge, not yet been compared. Thus, the purpose of this study was to research whether and to what extent users’ extensive and explorative use of the ERP system differs in various regions. The main objective of this study was to reveal determinants that have an impact on user acceptance of ERP systems and the extended use in different cultural environments - in the EU (developed countries) and India (developing country). The research was based on an extended technology acceptance model (TAM), where two additional factors (work compatibility and extended use) were added together with additional external factors that can influence users’ acceptance of ERP systems. We analysed and compared the data of 444 ERP users from 14 organisations in the EU and 577 ERP users from 13 organisations in India. Even though the use of ERP systems in India and the EU is at the same advanced level, ERP users exhibit various behaviours and focus attention on different factors. Research data shows differences regarding the impact of extended TAM model factors and some differences regarding the impact of external factors researched.