Interpretive Perspectives on the Acceptance of an Electronic Prescription System

AbstractUnderstanding the factors that contribute to the acceptance and use of information systems is a central concern in the field of information systems. A good understanding of these factors goes a long way in developing an effective design and implementation plan.This article describes and analyses the implementation of an electronic prescription system (EPS) for general practitioners in the Netherlands. The objective of this system is to promote cost effectiveness, consistency and quality of therapies and drug prescriptions by general practitioners. The case demonstrates pitfalls, which come up during the implementation of such a system, and shows which factors may play a role in the decision of potential users to accept or reject information systems.Different issues arise from this case. One is that users seem to differ from non-users in terms of perceptions and interpretations about not only the features of the system but also features of the system's environment. The paper uses the evidence of the case by suggesting to extend the technology acceptance model (TAM) with relevant contextual factors. The conclusions include implications for researchers and practitioners.Keywords: information technology acceptanceTechnology Acceptance Modelresistanceelectronic prescription systeminformation technology in healthcareimplementation Additional informationNotes on contributorsAlbert BoonstraAlbert Boonstra, Bec, MBA, PhD is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. He specialises in the human and organisational issues when implementing and using information and communication technologies. Examples of this include e-business strategies and organisational change issues around information systems. He teaches IT- management-related courses for students as well as for experienced managers. He also consults for many profit and not-for-profit organisations on the management of information systems and has published several articles in the field in Journal of General Management, Information, European Journal of Information Systems, Nijenrode Management Review and Journal of Management and Organization (M&O, in Dutch). Most recent books (2002) are (with David Boddy and Graham Kennedy) Managing Information Systems: An Organisational Perspective (Financial Times/Prentice Hall) and ICT, people and organisations, a management approach (in Dutch, with Prentice Hall, Amsterdam).