Acceptance of matchmaking tools in coworking spaces: an extended perspective

An extended technology acceptance model for matchmaking tools in coworking spaces is presented and tested among 92 German coworkers. Advancing previous research, hedonic and community-related aspects are integrated into a framework based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2). Coworkers emphasize a matchmaking tool's productivity aspects, which are positively moderated by their sense of community. Hedonic motivation (HM) and personal innovativeness contribute to usage intention, while effort expectancy is not a driver. The influence of HM is negatively moderated by sense of community, suggesting that a favorable social atmosphere that is explorable in person acts as a partial substitute for the enjoyment of tool usage. Surprisingly, satisfaction with face-to-face activities does not affect their perception of a matchmaking tool.