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

Full Title: A Qualitative Investigation of the Technology Acceptance Model in the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service on the Adoption of Customer Relationship Management Systems. This research publication was submitted as a dissertation for a PhD awarded to Dr. Aaron Weibe by Liberty University in 2024. It investigates the technology acceptance model (TAM) in the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service (CES) regarding the adoption of customer relationship management (CRM) systems to improve communications, outreach, and engagement with the publics and communities it serves. A qualitative phenomenological approach utilizing existing data and one-on-one semi-structured interviews with CES leaders and professionals is utilized. Findings highlight various perceived benefits, barriers, and reported success rates from CES professionals. The findings suggest a positive correlation between the TAM variable of perceived ease of use and the reported adoption success of CRM technologies within the CES, positive attitudes toward perceived usefulness of CRM technologies, and high rates of employee resistance around the adoption of CRM technologies. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Extension Foundation.


Attribution
2

Abstract
3

Chapter 1: Introduction
7

Background
8

History
9

Customer Relationship Management
9

U.S. Cooperative Extension Service
12

Introduction to the Problem
13

Problem Statement
14

Purpose Statement
15

Significance of Study
15

Nature of Study
16

Appropriateness of the Method
17

Appropriateness of the Design
17

Data Collection Method
18

Data Analysis
19

Research Questions
21

Definitions
22

Summary
23

Chapter 2: Review of Literature
25

Article Searches and Documentation
27

Historical Content
28

Current Content
30

Technology Acceptance Model
30

Critical Success Factors
38

Organizational Performance
45

Additional Organizational Impacts of CRM Adoption and Implementation
55

Marketing Automation and Knowledge Creation
65

Customer Loyalty, Satisfaction, and Engagement
67

Situation to Communication Tradition
77

Theoretical Framework
80

Related Literature
82

Summary
83

Chapter 3: Methodology
84

Method Appropriateness
85

Design Appropriateness
85

Research Method and Design
87

Research Questions
87

Setting
88

Participants
88

Procedures
90

Researcher’s Role
91

Reflexivity
92

Data Collection
93

Data Analysis
94

Coding
95

Trustworthiness
96

Credibility
96

Dependability and Confirmability
96

Transferability
97

Ethical Considerations
97

Summary
98

Chapter 4: Results
100

Overview
100

Data Collection and Analysis
101

Participant Profiles
103

Findings
122

Adoption Success and Familiarity
125

Employee Resistance
126

Pre-adoption Approaches
127

RQ1 Findings: Benefits and Organizational Performance
129

RQ2: Barriers and Organizational Impacts
132

RQ3 Findings: TAM Principles
134

RQ4 Findings: Outreach, Engagement, and Communications
140

Summary of Findings
142

Chapter 5: Discussion
144

Overview
144

Summary of Findings
144

Discussion
146

Technology Acceptance Model
147

Critical Success Factors
149

Organizational Performance
150

Adoption Barriers
151

Marketing Automation and Knowledge Creation
151

Customer Satisfaction, Loyalty, Engagement.
152

Implications
153

Theoretical Framework
153

Methodology
154

Practical
155

Delimitations and Limitations
156

Future Research
158

Summary
159

References
162

Appendix A: Survey Questions
175

Appendix B: Semi-structured Interview Questions
176

Appendix C: Coding Glossary
177

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