This is a phenomenological, qualitative study on the technology acceptance of thin client computer systems in a networked office environment. Its focus is to better understand the low adoption rate of thin clients through analysis of the lived experiences of business leaders with whom the responsibility of new or replacement desktop machines lies. While there is much research on technology acceptance, there is little evidence of studies using thin clients as the technology in question. Three research questions were posed to better understand this phenomenon: 1) what factors influence the acceptance of thin clients, 2) what problems is this technology expected to solve, and 3) what are the restrictions that inhibit technology acceptance of thin clients. Analysis of these interviews revealed motivation factors that included performance to task, mobility, and security in deploying computing devices for their staff and personnel. The rationale and knowledge of thin client computers, although a common finding, did not translate to thin client deployments; only three of the 15 organizations researched deployed thin clients in any capacity. Findings have shown that technology acceptance was not an issue when considering new or replacement computers. Finally, the interviews revealed a strong preference for on-demand, mobile computing that offers company staff the capability to work wherever and whenever they choose.
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