The role of post-use trust in the acceptance of a technology: Drivers and consequences

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the role of trust in the acceptance of a technology once the firm has already used it (post-use trust). First, we examine the drivers which encourage the firm to trust in a technology and, second, we study the consequences of trust in terms of firm performance and intentions to continue to use the technology. The drivers involve (1) perceptions experienced by the firm during the employment of the technology, (2) the influence of the firm's trading partners and (3) the importance of the IT manager's attitude towards the technology. The study focuses on the acceptance of e-invoicing in Spain and the sample consists of 100 early adopter firms who have perceptions and knowledge about this technology. Our findings clarify the relationship between trust and technology acceptance and have important implications about trust-building structures that could improve the application of technologies that are in the early stages of implementation.

► The acceptance of a technology requires that the firm perceives ease of use and security.
► The manager's attitude determines the firm's post-use trust in a technology.
► Post-use trust is a key mediating variable between drivers and firm's technological behavior.
► Post-use trust in a technology influences the performance of the firm.
► Post-use trust helps the firm to recognize the advantages inherent in the technology.