A Cross-Cultural Examination of Instant Messaging

Abstract: Instant messenger (IM) is gaining popularity as a communication channel both within and outside the workplace. This research-in-progress proposes to examine the adoption of IM across cultures. Using the technology acceptance model (TAM; Davis, 1989) we propose to examine the adoption of IM among university-level business students in the U.S. and Mexico. This study will serve a dual purpose; first, it will test TAM’s applicability across cultures and second, it will examine the impact of external variables on technology acceptance. These include subjective norm and national culture (i.e., uncertainty avoidance, individualism, power distance, and femininity/masculinity). This research in progress includes a literature review, research hypothesis, and proposed model, a data collection instrument, and detailed methodology