Silver surfers adopting and using Facebook? A quantitative study of Hertfordshire, UK applied to organizational and social change

Abstract

With an ageing population that is on the increase, there are many older adults still in employment well past their retirement age. Currently, technological developments in the form of Online Social Networks (OSN1) are also impacting society and organizations alike, with organizations searching for ways to cope with these changes. The aim of this research study is to investigate the factors affecting the likelihood of adoption and use of OSN within an older population. Using an online questionnaire, empirical data was drawn from Hertfordshire, a vicinity in the United Kingdom, and analysed using the Partial Least Squares method. The findings revealed that — in a household situation — older individuals adopt internet technologies if they have ‘anytime access’ to internet capable devices, a fast reliable internet connection, the support of their family and friends, as well as an apparent provision of privacy. For organizations, these findings indicate that the provision of a technical/trusted support department is essential, as is the provision for broadband and reliable internet connections. For academia, this research identifies factors that have been developed using theoretical concepts that will impact older adults' adoption and use of new technologies, but requires further research into whether these factors will impact a cross generation of workers in the organization