Beyond Technology Acceptance: Leadership, Communication, and Organizational Readiness During Learning Management System Migration

Learning management system (LMS) adoption has become increasingly common in higher education, yet most research emphasizes individual technology acceptance rather than the organizational processes that influence successful implementation. This study explored how leadership, communication, institutional readiness, training, and organizational culture shaped technology acceptance during a large-scale LMS migration. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this qualitative single-case study examined an LMS migration at a private higher education institution. Data were collected through 30 semi-structured interviews, 33 reflective journal responses, and institutional artifacts. Thematic analysis and data triangulation were used to identify recurring patterns across stakeholder groups. Six themes emerged: (a) communication served as the foundation of organizational change; (b) leadership visibility and strategic direction influenced stakeholder confidence more than formal authority; (c) institutional readiness shaped participants’ experiences throughout implementation; (d) training and ongoing support facilitated adoption; (e) perceptions of usefulness and ease of use developed over time through sustained interaction with the system; and (f) voice, organizational culture, and emotional responses influenced stakeholder buy-in. Findings suggest that successful LMS implementation extends beyond the individual-level constructs described by TAM. Leadership engagement, communication practices, organizational readiness, and sustained institutional support shaped participants’ perceptions of usefulness and ease of use throughout the migration process. These findings extend technology acceptance research by demonstrating that organizational conditions influence technology adoption during large-scale institutional change and provide practical guidance for higher education leaders planning future LMS transitions.