Evaluating alternative theoretical models for examining citizen centric adoption of e-government

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the performance of the alternative IS/IT adoption models used more frequently in the citizen centric adoption of e-government systems. Such analysis will not only provide a trend about the models and subsequent constructs being utilized in this area of research but also guides us toward laying a foundation for the formulation of an alternative integrated model for citizen centric adoption of e-government services. Design/methodology/approach - The relevant secondary data from 87 research studies on citizen centric e-government services were analysed to examine the performance of some of the most frequently used alternative models (e.g. technology acceptance model (TAM), diffusion of innovationjinnovation diffusion theory (DOIjIDT), DeLone and McLean IS success model, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), and theory of planned behaviour (TPB)) of IS/IT adoption in this area of research. Findings - The findings of this research indicate that TAM is by far the best suited model for analysing citizen centric adoption of e-government services. It was also found that although diffusion of innovationjinnovation diffusion theory (DOIjIDT) is the second highly used model, only three of its constructs (i.e. compatibility, complexity, and relative advantage) were in use across various studies. Moreover, it was visualised that constructs such as triability and observability were never used in the e-government context. Similarly, the constructs from TPB have not been used up to the presence of the model across various studies. All the constructs (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence) of the UTAUT model, except facilitating conditions, have been used quite regularly. Research limitations/implications - This research evaluates the various IS/IT adoption research models being used in e-government adoption only on the basis of their performances across the existing research studies. The evaluation of the performance of such models may not reflect their true picture only through meta-analysis. Originality/value - This paper presents a comprehensive meta-analysis of some of the most frequently used IS/IT adoption models in the context of e-government adoption research. Such analysis would help us picking up the most appropriate models and/or their constructs for developing an alternative model for our research.