Factors influencing the adoption of Enterprise Social Software in Australia

Purpose: The aim of this research is to determine the significant factors leading to the adoption of Enterprise Social Software in Australian organisations. The research question is: What are the significant adoption factors of Enterprise Social Software in Australia? Design/methodology/approach: Technology Acceptance Model is adapted for this research to determine the significant adoption factors of Enterprise Social Software. An online questionnaire was distributed among Australian knowledge workers, garnered more than 300 responses, and the results were analysed through Structural Equation Modelling. Findings: The structural model suggests that significant factors influencing the adoption of Enterprise Social Software are External Variables including Individual Factors, Organisational Factors, Task Complexity, Organisational Culture, and Knowledge Strategy, and perceptions of the system including Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. Practical implications: Organisations which desire increased adoption of Enterprise Social Software are recommended to apply conducive strategies around intrinsic variables (Individual Factors, Organisational Culture), as well as extrinsic variables (Task Complexity, Knowledge Strategy), which in turn will positively influence perceptions of usefulness and ease of use, and subsequently positively influence the decision to adopt Enterprise Social Software. Originality/value: In summary, the research determined significant factors to the adoption of Enterprise Social Software in Australia. The discussion emphasised the importance of External Variables as indirect, but highly influential, factors to the adoption of this technology, which are leveraged through Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. By improving our understanding of these factors, we are in position to improve the adoption rates of Enterprise Social Software as a representation of the next generation Knowledge Management Systems.