TRUST IN TECHNOLOGY VS. TRUST IN TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIER: SUCCESS FACTORS FOR CAMEROON CUSTOMS INFORMATION SYSTEM ADOPTION

Abstract

This study investigates the main factors of e-Customs system adoption in Cameroon, focusing on suppliers’ role in providing trust. Although previous technology adoption studies in developing countries have dealt with trust in technology, most are biased against developing countries than technology suppliers. In contrast, this study extended the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)-based research model to consider trust in technology suppliers separately from trust in technology. After collecting data from external and internal users of the e-Customs system in Cameroon, the model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results showed that trust in technology and technology suppliers should be considered independently, apart from the significant effects of other prime factors on behavioral intention. This study suggests that technology suppliers have a strategic business reason for trust from users for successful technology adoption, suggesting that future researchers should not attribute trust issues to developing countries solely.