Ready, set, go: examining student readiness to use ERP technology

Purpose To examine student readiness for change and behavioral intentions regarding the implementation of an enterprise resource planning system (ERP). The study also integrates literature on technology acceptance, readiness for change, and change implementation to test an adapted version of the technology acceptance model (TAM). Design/methodology/approach Data were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 and AMOS 4.0. Findings Gender and perceived ERP benefits are related to students' readiness for change, and readiness for change is a significant predictor of students' attitude toward usage of the ERP system. Additionally, computer self‐efficacy is related to attitude toward usage and one's intent to use the ERP system. Research limitations/implications First, is the use of self‐report data, external validation would have been preferred. Second, the potential for common method bias is a concern. Finally, it was not possible to sample a majority of the more than 12,000 students enrolled. Of the students in the sample 92 percent were business majors. Practical implications Organizational investments in technology must take into account more than the financial cost; they must be sensitive to user characteristics. Subsequently, the leadership of an organization should address and strategically plan for individual differences like an individual's readiness for change when implementing a new technology. Originality/value The TAM model remains stable using college students and with the addition of individual difference factors, such as the readiness for change.