Acceptance of global positioning system (GPS) technology among artisanal fishers in the Central Region, Ghana: An extended technology acceptance model

ABSTRACT The study examined the acceptance of global positioning system (GPS) technology among artisanal fishers in the Central Region of Ghana using the extended technology acceptance model. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 161 artisanal fishers using multistage sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that perceived usefulness and subjective norm significantly predicted 31% of the variation in behavioral intention of the fishers to adopt the GPS technology for fishing activities. Behavioral intention on the other hand accounted for 5% of the variance in the use behavior of the fishers in the Central Region. Therefore, extension agents should leverage on the inherent capabilities of the GPS technology, and the influence of family, friends, and canoe owners to improve on the adoption of the technology in order to improve on productivity, performance, and the effectiveness of fishing among artisanal fishers in the Central Region.