Md Rakibul Hoque1, Yukun Bao1. 1. Center for Modern Information Management, School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, People's Republic of China .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: E-health is an important initiative among the public and private hospitals in Bangladesh in the last few years. The factors influencing e-health adoption have been a well-investigated research area in both developed and developing countries. However, there have been only a few studies exploring the role of cultural factors in the adoption and use of e-health, particularly in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the influence of culture on the adoption of e-health in Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study developed a more adequate research framework by integrating Hofstede's cultural dimension model and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents in different private and public hospitals in Bangladesh. The partial least squares method, a statistical analysis technique based on the Structural Equation Model, was used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: The study found that cultural dimensions such as Power Distance, Masculinity, and Restraint had significant impacts on Intention to Use e-Health, whereas Uncertainty Avoidance, Collectivism, and Pragmatism had no significant impact on Intention to Use e-Health in Bangladesh. The results also revealed that Perceived Usefulness was a significant indicator of e-health adoption decisions, whereas Perceived Ease of Use was an insignificant predictor of e-health adoption. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study may assist governments, organizations, and policy makers to understand the key factors affecting e-health adoption and to develop strategies and policies to enhance e-health services in Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND: E-health is an important initiative among the public and private hospitals in Bangladesh in the last few years. The factors influencing e-health adoption have been a well-investigated research area in both developed and developing countries. However, there have been only a few studies exploring the role of cultural factors in the adoption and use of e-health, particularly in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the influence of culture on the adoption of e-health in Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study developed a more adequate research framework by integrating Hofstede's cultural dimension model and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents in different private and public hospitals in Bangladesh. The partial least squares method, a statistical analysis technique based on the Structural Equation Model, was used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: The study found that cultural dimensions such as Power Distance, Masculinity, and Restraint had significant impacts on Intention to Use e-Health, whereas Uncertainty Avoidance, Collectivism, and Pragmatism had no significant impact on Intention to Use e-Health in Bangladesh. The results also revealed that Perceived Usefulness was a significant indicator of e-health adoption decisions, whereas Perceived Ease of Use was an insignificant predictor of e-health adoption. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study may assist governments, organizations, and policy makers to understand the key factors affecting e-health adoption and to develop strategies and policies to enhance e-health services in Bangladesh.
Authors: Sania Ashraf; Carolyn Moore; Vaibhav Gupta; Anir Chowdhury; Abul K Azad; Neelu Singh; David Hagan; Alain B Labrique Journal: Health Res Policy Syst Date: 2015-12-09