TITLE:
Evaluating Technology Adoption among Christians Organisations as a Medium of Worshipping during Lock down in Developing Countries
AUTHORS:
Kasyonta Siamatendu, Jackson Phiri
KEYWORDS:
Technology Adoption, Religious Practices, Technological Solutions, UTAUT, Worship
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.12 No.4,
July
1,
2024
ABSTRACT: The outbreak of COVID-19 marked a turning point for mankind. All aspects of human life were affected to some extent, including religious services. It changed the way in which many religions had been practicing their rituals for centuries. It accelerated the recent tendency to use more technological resources and an evident change towards digitalisation, since there were restrictions or closure of places of worship. This affected the churches’ financial positions due to reduced church attendance. However, there were still some churches that had reservations about the use of technology in worship. Hence, this research moved in to establish the actual challenges for this refusal to adopt technology. Further, given the fact that there was very little research that had been done on post-Covid pandemic, there was therefore a literature and research gap which the study aimed to bridge. Specifically, the study sought to evaluate the factors that influenced the adoption of technology as means of worship during covid-19 lock down by SDA Christians in Zambia. The study utilized survey research with closed-ended researcher administered questionnaire. A total of 382 questionnaires were administered with a response rate of 79%. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential statistics (Pearson Correlation Coefficient). Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationships between the variables. The hypotheses were accepted as they showed p-values less than 0.005. It was therefore established that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence have an effect on the intention of use and actual use of technology as a medium of worship among Christians. Based on the above findings, the church leadership and other stakeholders must take into account the above factors when introducing technology so that church members are able to participate in church programs. This will help boost the necessary source of funds in terms of tithes and offerings which is membership attendance and also leverage on technology as channel members can use for returning tithes and offerings.