Factors Influencing Elderly Acceptance of Government Mobile Application: A Case Study of “Tang Rat” Application

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the factors influencing the acceptance of government mobile applications among older adults in Thailand, using the “Tang Rat” application as a case study. It addresses a knowledge gap in the context of Thailand’s aging society, where studies remain limited. The sample comprised 380 older adults aged 60 and above, recruited online and via social media. Data was collected using an electronic questionnaire developed based on the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that the model fit the empirical data well (χ²/df = 2.743, GFI = 0.911, NFI = 0.923, IFI = 0.949, CFI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.068). Factors directly influencing actual usage included perceived ease of use   (β = 0.47), perceived usefulness (β = 0.24), attitude toward use (β = 0.38), and intention to use  (β = 0.51). These findings suggest that government agencies should prioritize designing applications that are easy to use and provide clear benefits to broadly and equitably promote adoption among older adults.