Explaining software development tool use with the technology acceptance model

The increasing demand for information systems has driven the need for software developers to become more efficient and productive. In response, a wide variety of software development aids, such as new tools and techniques, have been introduced in an attempt to assist the development process. Unfortunately, the use of these software development innovations is not widespread, further exacerbating the problems in industry. Why are software development innovations, specifically software development tools, not used? To help answer the question, this study utilizes the popular Technology Acceptance Model(ll). Consistent with prior studies, an exogenous variable, training, is added to the original TAM. Results from a study of one organization's early use of a custom-built software development tool (SDT) produced the following significant relationships: training --> ease of use; ease of use --> usefulness; and ease of use --> usage. The insights provided from this study help to understand a software developer's use of SDTs.