Twenty-third International Conference on Knowledge, Culture, and Change in Organizations

Abstract

The paper examines a case of new technology adoption related change management process in an academic institute named Millennium Technical University (MTU). This institute introduced a biometric attendance system (BAS) for its students resulting in mixed reactions from the community before it was finally adopted. An attempt has been made here to understand this entire journey of change and associated dynamics, and to identify various facilitating and inhibiting factors involved therein. This objective was achieved by deploying a longitudinal field-based research work spanning six months, and the process was explained using a modified Unified Theory on Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. The entire research work was divided into two separate studies (N1 = 65; N2 = 346) that used mixed-method approach involving students of MTU. In the first study (qualitative), a series of focus groups and interviews were undertaken to facilitate preliminary identification of new dimensions of UTAUT. Two new dimensions, namely data safety and commitment to institutionalization, emerged in addition to the four original dimensions. Next, the second study (quantitative) was conducted to perform empirical testing and validation of this modified framework. Both the new dimensions were found to be strong and significant predictor of intention to use the new system of attendance. At the same time, there were counterintuitive findings related to a couple of dimensions, and possible explanation for the same has been offered. A detailed discussion around general theoretical and practical implications (for policymakers) is made in the end.