Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Business

First Advisor

Dr. Deirdre O'Donovan

Abstract

Many researchers recognize technology as an area where organisations require adoption by employees for competitive advantage and safety. The implication is that all employees require trust, confidence and understanding of system updates. Research highlighted two areas that may impact technology adoption, age and training, and as such are the two variables that were used in this study using the air traffic management section of the Irish air navigation service provision. The study adopted a positivistic quantitative research design using a questionnaire to collect the data needed to test the hypotheses used and to highlight the demographics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine whether the research was valid and to ensure objectivity of the research. A safeguard was inserted in the training section of the questionnaire, which was qualitative and allowed for reasons to be given should the test fail. This was the only qualitative data used, therefore, too insignificant to assume a mixed method approach. The hypotheses results showed that there is no significant statistical relationship between training and technology in this sample, however, it did show a statistical relationship between age and technology; age and systems overview, and age and job related performance. The descriptive analysis highlighted areas in training that require further investigation and showed a limitation of the study being that the training section was too broad, which perhaps requires a narrower approach focusing on learning styles. The findings of the tests suggest a further research area focusing on age and learning styles for training purposes with technology updates. The results imply that there is a peak age group for performance after which the sharp drop suggests deficits that may be caused by lack of a systems overview knowledge, and training tailored to age groups. Limitations of the study include the low participant sample of certain age groups, and the training section was too broad to adequately ascertain training needs.

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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