Investigation of Public Personnel's Adoption of Mobile Instant Messaging Systems Using UTAUT

Investigation of Public Personnel's Adoption of Mobile Instant Messaging Systems Using UTAUT

The use of mobile instant messaging (MIM) systems has increased recently. There are various MIM applications in use. Various factors influence the choice of MIM systems by different user groups. Based on the Unified Technology Acceptance and Use Theory (UTAUT), this study aims to investigate the factors that affect public personnel preference and the use of MIM systems in Türkiye. In this context, an empirical study was performed to examine the attitudes of public personnel working in Türkiye toward the MIM systems, which are preferred in their social and professional life. The data was collected from 441 public personnel and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results show that the most significant factors affecting behavioral intention are performance expectancy and privacy and security expectancy factors. The effect of effort expectancy and social influence on behavioral intention is influenced by gender. Also, the effect of privacy and security expectancy on behavioral intention is affected by experience and age. This research is important in drawing attention to data privacy and security in MIM systems. Also, although the use of MIM systems developed within their organizations or domestically is mandatory for public personnel, it has been determined that the usage rates of these systems are low. This should be considered by public administrators and companies developing MIM systems.