Technology Acceptance Model in U.S. Extension: CRM Adoption

QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF TAM

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Chapter 4: Results

Overview

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research is to better understand the

effects of the TAM on the adoption of CRM technologies in the CES that ultimately have

implications for internal and external communications, engagement, and outreach efforts. This

qualitative phenomenological approach utilized qualitative data collection methods, including a

review of existing assessment data, one-on-one semi-structured interviews with CES

professionals, and a follow-up survey. There were four research questions that the survey and the

interview questions were designed to answer:

RQ1: What are the perceived benefits of CRM systems for CES professionals?

RQ2: What are the perceived challenges and adoption barriers of CRM systems in the

CES?

RQ3: To what extent do the principles of the TAM affect CRM adoption?

RQ4: In what ways are existing implementations of CRM systems better enabling

outreach, engagement, and communication efforts by the CES?

The specific problem to be addressed is identifying the barriers that exist in adopting

CRM technologies in the CES and what implications a lack of CRM usage has on

communications, outreach, and engagement efforts in the digital age. This chapter describes the

research sample, the data analysis process, and the results of the study. The process for analyzing

the data is described following a qualitative methodology, followed by a summary of the

findings. The research findings are based upon the triangulation of multiple data sources

including the semi-structured interview transcriptions and landscape assessment data results.

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