Blockchain technology : a technology acceptance model (TAM) analysis

• Autor(a) principal: Kern, Alexander Günter
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/25478
• topic: Domínio/Área Científica::Ciências Sociais::Economia e Gestão

As of today, Blockchain is an innovative distributed ledger technology enabling the exchange of value online without the need of intermediaries such as banks or players of the shared economy. The technology provides a decentralized and trustless network, secured by cryptography and consensus mechanisms. The study attempted to assess the current ‘Level of Knowledge’ about the up-and-coming Blockchain technology throughout society, which is considered to be fundamental in order to unfold full socio-economic potential. Based on a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis (1989) the study sought to define relationships between self-reported variables such as ‘Perceived Ease of Use’, ‘Perceived Usefulness’ and ‘Perceived Risk’, ultimately predicting the ‘Intention to Use’ of Blockchain. An online questionnaire was designed and shared across a convenience sample population, comprised by young students and professionals. The results reveal that about two thirds of the sample population is non-aware of the topic at hand. The findings affirm overall significance and appropriateness of the tested constructs within the conceptual framework. A system will be accepted, if it is perceived as trustworthy, convenient and useful. ‘Perceived Risk’ was the most significant determinant in predicting intended use. Regression analysis revealed significant relationships among all the variables used. Managerial as well as academic implications about the outcomes of this study have been formulated. It should be noted, that due to the nature of TAM and the convenience sample, general conclusions about society’s perception are limited.