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

QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF TAM

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increased inclusion of quantitative measures to better validate findings and establish additional

statistical relationships.

Additional research specific to employee resistance and the various factors influencing

employee resistance to CRM technologies could better enhance the understanding of this critical

adoption barrier that many participants reported. Lastly, this study notes that the mere existence

of CRM technologies does not necessarily translate to CES organizations meeting their desired

goals. Alternative solutions to CRM exist, usually in the form of various ad hoc systems, and an

exploration of these alternative solutions could offer some better insights into how the CES can

reach organizational goals without the use of CRM technologies.

Summary

This chapter examines the research findings and addresses the research questions related

to CRM technology adoption in the CES. The research utilized a qualitative phenomenological

approach to examine aspects of TAM principles, including perceived ease of use and perceived

usefulness, on CRM adoption. The chapter also examines the perceived benefits, barriers, and

implications for the theoretical framework, methodology, and practical applications in the

context of the CES. Additionally, delimitations, limitations, and suggestions for future research

opportunities were addressed.

The study itself captures perspectives from a number of CES professionals across the

various regions of the CES, including CES Directors and Administrators, Communication

Practitioners, and IT professionals. One finding of this research shows how Salesforce is the

dominant CRM system with moderate success reported. CRM adoption faces significant

challenges in the CES, including employee resistance, training and support, and concerns about

data security, data privacy, and the centralization of data overall. Participants reported several

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