Applying the Technology Acceptance Model to Understand Social Networking Sites (SNS) Usage: Impact of Perceived Social Capital

This study examines the individuals' participation intentions and behaviour on Social Networking Sites (SNSs). For this purpose, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is utilized and extended in this study through the addition of "perceived social capital" construct aiming to increase its explanatory power and predictive ability in this context. Data collected from a survey of 1100 participants and distilled to 657 usable sets has been analysed to assess the predictive power of proposed model via structural equation modelling. The model proposed in this study explains 56% of the variance in "Participation Intentions" and 55% of the variance in "Participation Behaviour". Participation of behavioural intention in the model' explanatory power was the highest amongst the constructs (able to explain 28% of usage behaviour). While, "Attitude" explain around 11% of SNSs usage behaviour. The study findings also show that "Perceived Social Capital" construct has a notable impact on usage behaviour, this impact came indirectly through its direct effect on "Attitude" and "Perceived Usefulness". Participation of "Perceived Social Capital" in the models' explanatory power was the third highest amongst the constructs. "Perceived Social Capital", alone explain around 9% of SNSs usage behaviour.