Decoupling Software from Hardware in Technology Acceptance Research

Technology convergence has become a fiery phenomenon. More and more technologies can cohabit in the same platform and the information becomes more portable from one platform to another. The phenomenon presses on examining the question of what technology entails in technology acceptance research. If the technology can be decomposed by its dimensions, e.g., hardware, software, content, will the adoption of one dimension affect the adoption patterns of other dimensions? Addressing this research question in the case of podcasting for educational purposes, this study found that adoption of a mobile device like an iPod can moderate the causal relationships among the core constructs in the Technology Acceptance Model, and between the core constructs and the individual differences antecedents, including subjective norms, self-efficacy and personal innovativeness in information technology. The research and practice implications are also discussed.