Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for adoption of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the US Construction Industry

The global economic impact of the construction industry cannot be overstated. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) offers a potential for massive cost savings and increases in productivity. Unfortunately, the US construction industry lags behind most other US industries in the implementation of ICT. This research sets out to understand what factors improve the use and adoption of ICT in the US construction industry by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Davis (1989). The TAM recognized a relationship with actual use of technology based on the premise of behavioral intent (BI) and intended use and that user perceived usefulness (PU) leads to intended use, which translates to actual use. The TAM also recognizes that user perceived ease of use (PEOU) supports the premise of PU enhancing intended use by increasing the PU. This research used independent variables from previous research to serve as a basis for establishing a benchmark for US construction firms. Seventy-six US construction professionals were surveyed for this study. The results showed that the US construction industry follows the TAM model in that if the technology is perceived to be useful it will be adopted, and this seems to be supported by PEOU. Application of this extended TAM in the US construction industry will help companies predict the successful adoption and use of ICT, allowing managers to make more informed decisions in the adoption process.