Psychological barriers to technology acceptance in South African workplaces: Investigating socio-economic status as a moderator

Abstract

Orientation: Digital transformation in South African organisations hinges on employee acceptance, yet psychological barriers may inhibit technology uptake. Socio-economic inequalities may further shape engagement with cloud-based technology.
Research purpose: To determine whether socio-economic status (SES) moderates the relationship between psychological barriers and technology acceptance.
Motivation for the study: Given South Africa’s socio-economic disparities, psychological and socio-economic factors were examined to better understand workplace technology resistance.
Research approach/design and method: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted with 436 South African employees who regularly used cloud-based technologies at work. Measures included the Psychological Barriers to Technology Acceptance Tool (PBTAT). Descriptive, correlational and moderation analyses were conducted.
Main findings: Psychological barriers reduced technology acceptance (β < 0, p < 0.05), while SES was non-significant. Lack of psychological safety and low frustration tolerance significantly predicted technology acceptance (both p < 0.01). Self-efficacy, organisational trust and psychological availability were non-significant moderators (p > 0.05).
Practical/managerial implications: Psychological barriers should be addressed across the workforce. As SES did not alter their effect, training initiatives should be inclusive rather than tailored by socio-economic background.
Contribution/value-add: The study extends the Technology Acceptance Model by integrating five psychological barrier constructs into a South African workplace framework. It introduces and preliminarily validates the 62-item PBTAT and shows that psychological barriers inhibit technology acceptance regardless of SES.