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

QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF TAM

110

implementation include adoption or implementation failure and change management. In addition

to the availability of the CRM system, many offices utilize various ad hoc systems. Jane notes

that the technology is not perceived as easy to use but is perceived as useful after demonstrating

the technology to potential users. She believes that CRM technologies have many possible

implications for outreach, engagement, and communications, including strategic marketing and

communications, engagement and interaction tracking, centralization, contact and data

management, reporting, and evaluation, as well as automation.

Andrea Simpson

Andrea Simpson is an Extension specialist in the northeastern region, one of the few

individuals at her university with access to the Salesforce CRM. Her university outgrew two

previous CRM systems and eventually adopted Salesforce. Andrea defines CRM as lifecycle

contact management and strategic marketing and communications. She believes the benefits of

CRM systems include email marketing, client insights, contact and data management, and

strategic marketing and communications. There is a champion present at her university, and she

reports a high acceptance rate among the limited number of users, with no considerable

employee resistance observed. Andrea states that the critical success factors of CRM

implementation include strategic organizational planning, training and support, the presence of a

local champion, user buy-in, and early adopters. Her stated criteria for considering a technology

to adopt include strategic organizational planning and consideration of costs and resources.

Andrea stated adoption challenges such as costs and resources, training and support, and change

management. Andrea reported the Salesforce CRM is perceived as difficult to use; however, it is

regarded as useful among the limited number of users. Potential risks reported include data

security. Individuals at her university still utilize various ad hoc systems alongside the CRM. The

Powered by