Factors influencing m-government adoption in the developing world: a UTAUT-based model integrating trust, risk and trendiness

Purpose This study aims to examine the factors influencing behavioural intention to use mobile government (m-government) in the developing world from a citizens’ perspective. For this purpose, it extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions) with perceived trust, risk and trendiness. Design/methodology/approach A survey was developed and administered online to citizens of the country of Jordan. The 445 responses received were analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique. Findings This study found support for the UTAUT’s positive prediction of only performance expectancy and facilitating conditions on citizens’ intention to use m-government. They also found that perceived trust and perceived trendiness positively drive the intention to use m-government, while perceived risk negatively does. Research limitations/implications This study examined citizen’s intention to use m-government in general terms in a single developing country context. It could be extended by exploring citizen’s continuous intention behaviour, focussing on specific m-government services and conducting a cross-country empirical examination. Social implications Understanding the factors that influence m-government adoption can help in increasing public service accessibility, driving more citizens’ participation and enhancing sustainability. Originality/value By empirically considering perceived trust and risk along the UTAUT’s factors, this study provides theoretical refinement and contextual insights regarding the factors that influence the adoption of m-government services in the developing world. Additionally, by integrating perceived trendiness, this study introduces a socio-psychological dimension to UTAUT to better understand m-government adoption.