The internet for academics: Towards a holistic adoption model

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on internet use, with particular respect to academics. The literature on academic uses of the internet is littered with empirical studies, which analyse aspects of the broad spectrum of uses to which the internet can be put, by academics anywhere in the world. This paper begins an initial attempt to provide a broad theoretical framework for internet adoption and utilization by academics, irrespective of rank. Design/methodology/approach: Paper based largely on literature survey and an assessment of the existing models of internet use by academics. Findings: The paper postulates an internet adoption model for academics. The Internet Adoption Model for Academics (IAMA) was conceptualized as an abstract object with five main components: internet for teaching, internet for research, internet for consultancy, internet for administration, and internet for policy making. The Internet Adoption Model for Academics (IAMA) provides a framework for internet use, and has the potential for being instructive for academics who have currently not integrated the internet fully into their professional activities. Originality/value: The paper presents a modest theoretical contribution to the academic internet-use literature, and might influence new research streams in this important conceptual area. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.