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

QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF TAM

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determining methods needed to answer research questions, making decisions about the research

setting, piloting and refining the research design and methods, and planning for validity. Ravitch

and Carl (2021) also suggest that a flexible approach to research design considers the range and

variation of method choices and how these can be used in ways to help achieve or clarify the

specific goals of the study. After following the process outlined by Ravitch and Carl (2021), the

researcher determined that a qualitative phenomenological design was the best approach to

answer the research questions. Ravitch and Carl (2021) share that a phenomenological design

includes exploring a phenomenon with a group of individuals, and data collection tends to

involve interviews to understand the experiences of the phenomenon. In this research, the

researcher seeks to understand the key components of the TAM, including attitudes and

perceptions toward CRM usage in the CES.

The significance of this study has implications for how the TAM can be applied to the

CES for adopting CRM technologies or other technologies, which can improve communications,

outreach, and engagement efforts with the communities they serve while increasing workplace

productivity. The findings play a critical role in determining how the TAM can be applied to

CRM adoption in CES services and programming. CRM would assist both CES professionals

and the clients they serve by co-creating value between the client and the organization, tracking

lifecycle engagement with CES services and programs, and potentially resolving

communications and marketing challenges for CES educators, specialists, and agents. Evidence

suggests that CRM technology implementation could improve customer service interactions with

clients, increase the perceived value of CES programs, and strengthen relationships between an

organization like CES and its clients.

Data Collection Method

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