A motivational model of E-mail usage

Despite the adoption of advanced computer technologies by organizational makers, the actual use of E-mail by managers and professionals has tended to be lagging and the potential benefits of these technologies have not been fully realized. Much of the prior research in this area has focused on the utility or perceived usefulness of E-mail as the principal motivating factor in using them. Relatively little attention has been given to the recreational basis of E-mail usage. The limited research in this area indicates the use of E-mail can be stimulated by the intrinsic joy and enjoyment derived. The objective of this study is to integrate these perspectives on the reasons underlying the use of E-mail and to examine simultaneously the relative influence of motivators identified in the literature as affecting individuals' decision to use E-mail. The study focuses specifically on E-mail because of its ubiquitous usage.