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Top1. Introduction
On account of technologies’ broadening characters in service delivery, it is necessary to comprehend consumers' readiness to use technology-based systems such as e-services (Parasuraman, 2000; Burke, 2002; Lin et al., 2007). The tremendous growth of technology-based products and services, and the increasing rate at which companies are turning to technology to streamline how they market and serve customers, call for a thorough assessment of consumers' technology readiness, CTR. (Parasuraman, 2000). CTR is a psychological predisposition that turns the scales through the decision process of choosing to use and continue using Self Service Technologies (SSTs) (Lin and Hsieh 2006). Studies investigating predictors of technology usage in services have generally focused on ease of use, usefulness, and other technology design features (Meuter et al. 2005; Zhu et al. 2007), as well as consumer demographics and traits (Dabholkar & Bagozzi 2002; Bruner & Kumar 2007; Weijters et al. 2007).
Technology acceptance suggests that individual differences, including personality traits, generalized beliefs, and predispositions about technology, as well as demographics, may affect the embracement of technology based services (Im, Bayus, & Mason, 2003; Meuter et al., 2005; Parasuraman, 2000). For example, insecurity surrounding technology may negatively reflect on one’s willingness to try out technology based services.
Considering the commercial value of technology, electronic services can be described as the result of a protracted industrial approach, research and development, and continuously evolving innovation plans and actions. Innovations in technology have changed the way services are conceived and delivered (Massey et al., 2007). Consumer satisfaction can be increased through new consumer oriented distribution channels, that allow producers to better meet consumer demands (Liljander et al., 2006).
Individuals within cultures are not passive recipients of innovations. Although it varies in extent, the individuals seek innovations, experiment with them, evaluate them, develop feelings about them, complain about them, and gain experience with them often through dialogue with other users (Greenhalgh et al., 2004). Consequently, the interactivity of technology based services creates experiences and value for the consumer, resulting in a high diffusion rate. Diffusion is a process whereby an innovation spreads across a population of potential adopters over time through various channels (Fichman &Kemerer, 1999).
Fifteen years ago, the Clinton Administration stated that “Over the next decade, advances on the GII [Global Information Infrastructure] will affect almost every aspect of daily life, education, health care, work, and leisure activities. Disparate populations, once separated by distance and time, will experience these changes as part of a global community” (Dean et al., 2012).
According to David Dean et al (2012), the Internet has become pervasive and its economic impact considerable. It will represent more than 5 percent of GDP in the G-20 nations by 2016, and in the most advanced countries, that figure will exceed 12 percent. As The Boston Consulting Group’s latest update to the BCG e-Intensity Index indicates, the gap between the world’s Internet leaders and laggards is widening. Governments of countries that are at the top of the e-Intensity Index rankings-or are rapidly moving up-encourage Internet use among consumers, businesses, and within government itself, because they recognize that it can be a powerful edge in the competitive global economy. Countries further down the list in many cases have failed to implement effective policies that encourage widespread adoption and use. These countries risk falling further behind if they do not act.