An Analysis of Local Government Employees’ Desire to Adopt 4IR Technologies Using an Application and Extension of the Extended UTAUT Model

Abstract

This study investigates the behavioural intention of South African local government employees to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies using an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model. The model incorporates trust and personal innovativeness to address contextual factors often present in public-sector environments. A quantitative survey of 351 municipal employees was analysed using SPSS and AMOS. Results demonstrate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, trust, and personal innovativeness significantly predict behavioural intention to adopt 4IR technologies. This study contributes to theory by extending and validating the UTAUT2 model with trust and personal innovativeness in a developing-country public-sector context. It contributes to practice by providing actionable insights for policymakers to foster digital transformation in municipalities. The research offers valuable perspectives for scholars regarding the adoption of 4IR technologies among local government employees. Additionally, the findings support academics and policymakers in the effective implementation and replication of 4IR technology models that are rigorously researched and publicly endorsed.