Unearthing citizens' acceptance factors for e‐participation initiatives through Facebook. Issue 6 (24th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alarabiat, Ayman; Wahbeh, Nemer
• Is Part Of: Electronic journal on information systems in developing countries. Volume 87:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-05-24
• Subjects: acceptance factors -- e‐government -- e‐participation -- local government -- social networks sites; Management information systems -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Economic aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Social aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions; Economic history; High technology industries; Information technology -- Economic aspects; Information technology -- Social aspects; Management information systems; Developing countries; Periodicals; 658.4
• DOI: 10.1002/isd2.12194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1681-4835

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the determinant factors for citizens' acceptance of e‐participation initiatives that are sponsored by local governments through Facebook. The study proposes a model integrating the task‐technology fit theory and technology acceptance model with two additional factors: perceived outcome and government truthfulness. A self‐developed questionnaire was designed, and the conceptual model proposed was tested by applying the structural equation modeling method to a sample of 414 citizens from Jordan using a random sampling technique. The results indicated that citizens' attitude was the strongest predictor of citizens' acceptance, followed by the perceived outcome. The results also revealed the importance of task‐technology fit and perceived usefulness in shaping and explaining citizens' attitudes, which further lead to citizens' acceptance. Government truthfulness had no direct effect on citizens' acceptance. However, it positively affected the perceived outcome. The study makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of e‐participation research as it contributes to recent efforts toward understanding the citizen perspective of e‐participation initiatives. This study heeds the call to enrich e‐participation via theoretical underpinnings, particularly via the behavioral science approach of information systems. The study followed this approach by understanding the impact of citizen's beliefs, technological capabilities and the expected outcome to predict citizens' acceptance behavior toward e‐participation. Finally, the study provides several recommendations to help local governments in their pursuit to increase citizen participation.