The role of experience in user perceptions of information technology: an empirical examination

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an empirical examination of the effects of experience in using a multifunctional information technology on users' perceptions of its usefulness and ease of use in a university task context in which 143 undergraduate students from The University of New South Wales were surveyed. The study revealed a differential effect of an increased level of experience on subjects' perceptions. In particular, an initial increase in experience from low to moderate resulted in a significant increase in perceived usefulness, but not in ease of use. In contrast, there was no significant further increase in perceived usefulness, but only in perceived ease of use as a result of a further increase in experience from moderate to high. If not addressed, less favourable perceptions of usefulness and/or ease of use among users with low to moderate experience may impede their future usage intentions. Therefore, these findings may be useful to practitioners for both predicting and planning training measures for improving acceptance of information technology.