title: Antecedents of User Acceptance of Technology in the Workplace: An extension of the Technology Acceptance Model

authors: Botha, Danielle

abstract: In a world that is highly dependent on technology, it has become increasingly important for organisations to stay up to date with the rapid technological changes. The introduction of new technology is more often than not motivated by the need to increase employee productivity and efficiency in order to achieve maximum work output; all while keeping organisational costs down.
Drawing on 96 participants from an organisation within the power, gas and infrastructure industry, the current study investigated user acceptance of technology and the antecedents to this acceptance that impact upon the acceptance and adoption of new technology.
Results supported past research in showing that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are strong determinants of, both direct and indirect, behavioural intention to use. Job relevance, computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy are also shown to be important antecedents of technology acceptance. Additionally, the results failed to provide support for the commonly held belief that age has a negative relationship with technology use.
Mediation analysis showed that the effect perceived ease of use has on behavioural intention to use, operates through perceived usefulness; suggesting that, despite being easy to use, new technology will not be used if it does not prove its usefulness. Mediation analysis also showed that the effect of computer anxiety on perceived ease of use was indirect through computer self-efficacy. This means that the self-efficacy an individual has will weaken the effect that their computer anxiety has on their perceived ease of use.

Overall, this study explores what impacts and influences the acceptance and adoption of new technology in the workplace. This research has successfully adapted the Technology Acceptance Model in order to suit the current needs and provides further support of the external factors that impact upon this model. The current study also challenges the notion that age has a negative impact upon technology usage in the workplace.

text: Antecedents of User Acceptance of Technology in the Workplace: An extension of the Technology Acceptance Model In a world that is highly dependent on technology, it has become increasingly important for organisations to stay up to date with the rapid technological changes. The introduction of new technology is more often than not motivated by the need to increase employee productivity and efficiency in order to achieve maximum work output; all while keeping organisational costs down.
Drawing on 96 participants from an organisation within the power, gas and infrastructure industry, the current study investigated user acceptance of technology and the antecedents to this acceptance that impact upon the acceptance and adoption of new technology.
Results supported past research in showing that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are strong determinants of, both direct and indirect, behavioural intention to use. Job relevance, computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy are also shown to be important antecedents of technology acceptance. Additionally, the results failed to provide support for the commonly held belief that age has a negative relationship with technology use.
Mediation analysis showed that the effect perceived ease of use has on behavioural intention to use, operates through perceived usefulness; suggesting that, despite being easy to use, new technology will not be used if it does not prove its usefulness. Mediation analysis also showed that the effect of computer anxiety on perceived ease of use was indirect through computer self-efficacy. This means that the self-efficacy an individual has will weaken the effect that their computer anxiety has on their perceived ease of use.

Overall, this study explores what impacts and influences the acceptance and adoption of new technology in the workplace. This research has successfully adapted the Technology Acceptance Model in order to suit the current needs and provides further support of the external factors that impact upon this model. The current study also challenges the notion that age has a negative impact upon technology usage in the workplace.

year: 2018

title: Forging school–scientist partnerships: A case of easier said than done?

authors: Falloon, Garry

subjects: Collaboration

abstract: Since the early 1980s, a number of initiatives have been undertaken worldwide which have involved scientists and teachers working together in projects designed to support the science learning of students. Many of these have attempted to establish school-scientist partnerships. In these, scientists, teachers, and students formed teams engaged in mutually beneficial science-based activities founded on principles such as equal recognition and input, and shared vision, responsibility and risk. This article uses two partnership programmes run by a New Zealand Science Research Institute, to illustrate the challenges faced by scientists and teachers as they attempted to forge meaningful and effective partnerships. It argues that achieving the theorised position of a shared partnership space at the intersection of the worlds of scientists and teachers is problematic, and that scientists must instead be prepared to penetrate deeply into the world of the classroom when undertaking any such interactions. Findings indicate epistemological differences, curriculum and school systems and issues, and teacher efficacy and science knowledge significantly affect the process of partnership formation. Furthermore, it is argued that a re-thinking of partnerships is needed to reflect present economic and education environments, which are very different to those in which they were originally conceived nearly 30 years ago. It suggests that technology has an important role to play in future partnership interactions.

text: Forging school–scientist partnerships: A case of easier said than done? Since the early 1980s, a number of initiatives have been undertaken worldwide which have involved scientists and teachers working together in projects designed to support the science learning of students. Many of these have attempted to establish school-scientist partnerships. In these, scientists, teachers, and students formed teams engaged in mutually beneficial science-based activities founded on principles such as equal recognition and input, and shared vision, responsibility and risk. This article uses two partnership programmes run by a New Zealand Science Research Institute, to illustrate the challenges faced by scientists and teachers as they attempted to forge meaningful and effective partnerships. It argues that achieving the theorised position of a shared partnership space at the intersection of the worlds of scientists and teachers is problematic, and that scientists must instead be prepared to penetrate deeply into the world of the classroom when undertaking any such interactions. Findings indicate epistemological differences, curriculum and school systems and issues, and teacher efficacy and science knowledge significantly affect the process of partnership formation. Furthermore, it is argued that a re-thinking of partnerships is needed to reflect present economic and education environments, which are very different to those in which they were originally conceived nearly 30 years ago. It suggests that technology has an important role to play in future partnership interactions.

year: 2013

title: He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka: Navigating a changing climate: A waka voyaging perspective

authors: McDonald, Rangihurihia Ann

subjects: Pacific voyaging

abstract: Human-induced climate change is threatening the ocean, natural ecosystems, and the global human population. Some groups, including Māori in Aotearoa, and Indigenous communities globally, will be disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change. The current national and international governmental climate change responses underrepresent Indigenous peoples, issues, and knowledge. This thesis aims to contribute to the body of literature that documents Māori understandings, perspectives, and worldviews in relation to climate change. This work was guided by two inter-related questions. Firstly, what are the impacts of climate change on waka voyaging? Secondly, how can we draw on mātauranga (Māori knowledge) to respond to human-induced climate change?

Specifically, the research addresses gaps in the scholarly literature that has yet to consider the unique contributions of waka voyaging practitioners to the climate change conversation. This work seeks to better understand the wide-ranging effects of human-induced climate change on Māori communities, knowledge, and culture, through an investigation of the impacts on waka voyaging. Furthermore, it considers how mātauranga whakatere waka (Māori understandings of Pacific voyaging knowledge) can contribute to climate change responses today and into the future. 

Guided by a Pūrākau and Kaupapa Māori research approach, I undertook a large-scale literature review and conducted seven in-depth semi-structured one-to-one interviews with Māori voyagers trained in traditional Pacific non-instrument ocean navigation. I analysed the data using a theoretical thematic analysis. 

Key findings suggest that waka voyaging is highly sensitive to changes in weather and climate.  Historical climatic and environmental change, as well as human-induced ecological change, have both promoted and discouraged Pacific voyaging in the past. In Aotearoa, the decline of voyaging after Polynesian settlement led to the dormancy of a significant body of ancestral knowledge, which Māori are continuing to recover. Key impacts of human-induced climate change include the exacerbation of adverse weather for voyaging, limiting the annual window of opportunity to voyage and spatial ranges of voyages. Another key impact is the decline of marine species used in non-instrument navigation due to a range of human activities, including human-induced climate change.  

Ultimately, this research finds that human-induced climate change was caused by a widespread human disconnection and subsequent domination of the environment. Research participants, Indigenous peoples, scholars, and civil society, advocate for a reconnection and global paradigm shift. Findings of this study indicate that mātauranga Māori provides a valuable framework for such a paradigm shift guided by the principles of whanaungatanga (connectedness, relationship, kinship) and kaitiakitanga (reciprocal acts of guardianship). 

Amidst rapid human-induced climate change, waka voyaging communities in Aotearoa and the Pacific are among the many Indigenous peoples globally, taking climate action, educating youth, raising awareness, advocating for ocean health, protecting natural environments, and maintaining traditional knowledge and practices on waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) which are themselves sustainable methods of ocean transportation.  

This thesis highlights the need for more research centring mātauranga Māori, recommends genuine partnerships between the government and Māori, and the resourcing of Māori communities themselves to be self-determining around climate change.

text: He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka: Navigating a changing climate: A waka voyaging perspective Human-induced climate change is threatening the ocean, natural ecosystems, and the global human population. Some groups, including Māori in Aotearoa, and Indigenous communities globally, will be disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change. The current national and international governmental climate change responses underrepresent Indigenous peoples, issues, and knowledge. This thesis aims to contribute to the body of literature that documents Māori understandings, perspectives, and worldviews in relation to climate change. This work was guided by two inter-related questions. Firstly, what are the impacts of climate change on waka voyaging? Secondly, how can we draw on mātauranga (Māori knowledge) to respond to human-induced climate change?

Specifically, the research addresses gaps in the scholarly literature that has yet to consider the unique contributions of waka voyaging practitioners to the climate change conversation. This work seeks to better understand the wide-ranging effects of human-induced climate change on Māori communities, knowledge, and culture, through an investigation of the impacts on waka voyaging. Furthermore, it considers how mātauranga whakatere waka (Māori understandings of Pacific voyaging knowledge) can contribute to climate change responses today and into the future. 

Guided by a Pūrākau and Kaupapa Māori research approach, I undertook a large-scale literature review and conducted seven in-depth semi-structured one-to-one interviews with Māori voyagers trained in traditional Pacific non-instrument ocean navigation. I analysed the data using a theoretical thematic analysis. 

Key findings suggest that waka voyaging is highly sensitive to changes in weather and climate.  Historical climatic and environmental change, as well as human-induced ecological change, have both promoted and discouraged Pacific voyaging in the past. In Aotearoa, the decline of voyaging after Polynesian settlement led to the dormancy of a significant body of ancestral knowledge, which Māori are continuing to recover. Key impacts of human-induced climate change include the exacerbation of adverse weather for voyaging, limiting the annual window of opportunity to voyage and spatial ranges of voyages. Another key impact is the decline of marine species used in non-instrument navigation due to a range of human activities, including human-induced climate change.  

Ultimately, this research finds that human-induced climate change was caused by a widespread human disconnection and subsequent domination of the environment. Research participants, Indigenous peoples, scholars, and civil society, advocate for a reconnection and global paradigm shift. Findings of this study indicate that mātauranga Māori provides a valuable framework for such a paradigm shift guided by the principles of whanaungatanga (connectedness, relationship, kinship) and kaitiakitanga (reciprocal acts of guardianship). 

Amidst rapid human-induced climate change, waka voyaging communities in Aotearoa and the Pacific are among the many Indigenous peoples globally, taking climate action, educating youth, raising awareness, advocating for ocean health, protecting natural environments, and maintaining traditional knowledge and practices on waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) which are themselves sustainable methods of ocean transportation.  

This thesis highlights the need for more research centring mātauranga Māori, recommends genuine partnerships between the government and Māori, and the resourcing of Māori communities themselves to be self-determining around climate change.

year: 2022