Evaluating the Effectiveness of Digital Bookkeeping Applications for the UK Small and Medium Enterprises: A User-Centric Approach with the Mediating Role of User Satisfaction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65080/ajbmss.v2i1.CM2621101024Keywords:
Perceived usefulness, bookkeeping applications, effectiveness, user satisfaction, UK, SMEsAbstract
Introduction: The research paper focuses on the perceived usefulness of digital bookkeeping applications in the context of the UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and proposes a post-adoption, user-based follow-up to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), a model of technology adoption.
Methods: Perceived usefulness and the perceived ease of use were examined for their direct and mediated association via user satisfaction. To collect the quantitative data, an online survey of 500 SME finance officers, accountants, managers, and owners in different industries in the United Kingdom was conducted. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for measuring the constructs’ direct and mediating relationships.
Results: From the findings it was observed that the association was significant and positive between perceived usefulness and perceived effectiveness only and not between perceived ease of use and effectiveness. Both relationships are greatly mediated by user satisfaction, which means that experiential assessment is a crucial part of post-adoption technology evaluation.
Conclusion: The research adds to the literature as it offers a contextual expansion of TAM in regulated and digitally mature SME contexts and conceptualises perceived effectiveness as a post-adoption functioning outcome as opposed to being an adoption-related perception.
Downloads
References
Aburbeian, A. M., Owda, A. Y., & Owda, M. (2022). A technology acceptance model survey of the metaverse prospects. AI, 3(2), 285-302.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ai3020018
Adler, T. (2021). Best UK small business accounting software - review guide. Small Business UK. Available from: https://smallbusiness.co.uk/best-uk-small-business-accounting-software-review-guide-2548848/ (Accessed on: 22 May, 2026).
Afthanorhan, A., Ghazali, P.L. & Rashid, N. (2021). Discriminant validity: A comparison of CBSEM and consistent PLS using Fornell & Larcker and HTMT approaches. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1874(1), 012085.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1874/1/012085
Ahmed, R. R., Streimikiene, D., Streimikis, J., & Siksnelyte-Butkiene, I. (2024). A comparative analysis of multivariate approaches for data analysis in management sciences. E+ M Ekonomie a Management., 27(1), 192-210.
https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2024-5-001
Al-Hattami, H. M., & Almaqtari, F. A. (2023). What determines digital accounting systems’ continuance intention? An empirical investigation in SMEs. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-13.
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02332-3
Almgrashi, A. (2025). The influence of the digital accounting system on the quality of sustainable decision-making. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(11), 602.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18110602
Begum, R., & Begum, F. (2025). Digitalization of management accounting in small and medium enterprises: Expansion of the technology acceptance model. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, 9(2), 91-99.
https://doi.org/10.22495/cgsrv9i2p8
Bhattacherjee, A. (2019). Survey research. In Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices (Rev. ed., Chapter 9). Pressbooks. Available from: https://usq.pressbooks.pub/socialscienceresearch/chapter/chapter-9-survey-research/
Bolodeoku, P.B., Igbinoba, E., Salau, P.O., Chukwudi, C.K. and Idia, S.E. (2022). Perceived usefulness of technology and multiple salient outcomes: the improbable case of oil and gas workers. Heliyon, 8(4), e09322.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09322
Çelik, K., & Ayaz, A. (2022). Validation of the Delone and McLean information systems success model: a study on student information system. Education and Information Technologies, 27(4), 4709-4727.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10798-4
Cheung, G.W., Cooper-Thomas, H.D., Lau, R.S. & Wang, L.C. (2024). Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 41, 745-783.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09871-y
European Commission (2024). SME definition - European Commission. single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu. Available from: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/smes/sme-fundamentals/sme-definition_en
France, S. L., Adams, F. G., & Landers, V. M. (2023). Worst case resistance testing: A nonresponse bias solution for today's behavioral research realities. arXiv preprint arXiv:2301.08377.
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2301.08377
Ghani, E. K., Ali, M. M., Musa, M. N. R., & Omonov, A. A. (2022). The effect of perceived usefulness, reliability, and COVID-19 pandemic on digital banking effectiveness: Analysis using technology acceptance model. Sustainability, 14(18), 11248.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811248
Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Evaluation of reflective measurement models. In Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using Classroom Companion: Business (pp. 75-90). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7_4
Hart, M., Prashar, N. & Ri, A. (2020). From the cabinet of curiosities: The misdirection of research and policy debates on small firm growth. International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, 39(1), 3-17.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242620951718
Hayes, T. (2021). R-squared change in structural equation models with latent variables and missing data. Behavior Research Methods, 53(5), 2127-2157.
https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01532-y
Henseler, J. (2026). Henseler’s HTMT Calculator. www.henseler.com. Available from: https://www.henseler.com/htmt.html (Accessed on: 22 Aug, 2014).
Howard, M. C., Boudreaux, M., & Oglesby, M. (2024). Can Harman’s single-factor test reliably distinguish between research designs? Not in published management studies. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 33(6), 790-804.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2024.2393462
Hussain, S. (2025). Comparative study of manual vs digital accounting in SMEs: Efficiency, accuracy, and adoption. Entrepreneurial Economics, 1, 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.23760.42246
Ilyas, M., ud din, A., Haleem, M. & Ahmad, I. (2023). Digital entrepreneurial acceptance: An examination of technology acceptance model and do-it-yourself behavior. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 15.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00268-1
Imtihan, K., Mardi, M., Tantoni, A., Bagye, W., & Zulkarnaen, M. F. (2025). Enhancing user satisfaction and loyalty in MSMEs: The role of accounting information systems. Journal of Information Systems and Informatics, 7(1), 714-729.
https://doi.org/10.51519/journalisi.v7i1.1044
Kang, E., & Hwang, H. J. (2023). The importance of anonymity and confidentiality for conducting survey research. Journal of Research and Publication Ethics, 4(1), 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.15722/jrpe.4.1.202303.1
Kang, H. (2021). Sample size determination and power analysis using the G* Power software. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 18.
https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2021.18.17
Kholid, M. N., & Asri, N. (2021). The effect of external variables on mobile accounting app adoption by student entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 31(5), 38–49.
https://doi.org/10.53703/001c.29816
Kock, N. (2015). Common method bias in PLS-SEM: A full collinearity assessment approach. International Journal of e-Collaboration (IJEC), 11(4), 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.4018/ijec.2015100101
Koerniawan, I., Triatmanto, B., & Zuhroh, D. (2024). The influence of ease of use of information technology, information quality and top management support on SME performance through end user satisfaction: A France study on Semarang city SMEs. International Journal of Accounting, Management, And Economics Research, 2(1), 183-206.
https://doi.org/10.56696/ijamer.v2i1.37
Kumar, M. (2021). Top-notch benefits of Google Forms survey data collection. Medium. Available from: https://marketing-insightsdna.medium.com/top-notch-benefits-of-google-forms-survey-data-collection-f27c7f08c6a6 (Accessed on: 8 Sep, 2021).
Kurniawan, A., Machmud, A., Supardi, E. & Purnamasari, I. (2025). Determinants of Accounting Digitalization and Its Impact on Decision-Making Effectiveness in Small and Medium Enterprises in West Java Indonesia. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 8(9), 103.
https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v8-i9-103
Mark, D. (2024). Technology acceptance model (TAM). EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com. Available from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/technology/technology-acceptance-model-tam (Accessed on: 8 Nov, 2024).
Memon, M. A., Ramayah, T., Cheah, J. H., Ting, H., Chuah, F., & Cham, T. H. (2021). PLS-SEM statistical programs: A review. Journal of Applied Structural Equation Modeling, 5(1), 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.47263/JASEM.5(1)06
Mishra, A., Shukla, A., Rana, N. P., Currie, W. L., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2023). Re-examining post-acceptance model of information systems continuance: A revised theoretical model using MASEM approach. International Journal of Information Management, 68, 102571.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102571
Mohamad Y., F., & Som Sak, C. (2023). Digital bookkeeping solutions for Micro-, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) / Fauziah Mohamad Yunus and Dr. Chaleeda Som Sak. In: FBM INSIGHTS. Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kedah, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kedah, pp. 23-26. Available from: https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/100250/1/100250.pdf
Momani, A. M. (2020). The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology: A new approach in technology acceptance. International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development (IJSKD), 12(3), 79-98.
https://doi.org/10.4018/IJSKD.2020070105
Mouhcine, H. B. (2021). The Role of User Satisfaction in Continuance Intention to Use Chatbots within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Master's Thesis, Marmara Universitesi (Turkey). Available from: https://openaccess.marmara.edu.tr/entities/publication/c04507d5-2980-4dba-8d3b-6bdbf9d4283f (Accessed on: 13 Jan, 2026).
Putri, N. P. A. N., Permana, G. P. L., & Mohaidin, N. J. (2025). Perception and Digital Transformation: A Study of Cloud Accounting Adoption among SMEs in Denpasar. Reviu Akuntansi, Manajemen, Dan Bisnis, 5(2), 413–428.
https://doi.org/10.35912/rambis.v5i2.5505
Sarawagi, A., Gupta, A., Singh, M. S., & Bhadouria, S. S. (2024). Evaluating the effectiveness of digital accounting applications for small and medium enterprises: A user-centric approach. Asian Journal of Management and Commerce, 5(2), 01-07.
https://doi.org/10.22271/27084515.2024.v5.i2a.323
Song, Y., Qiu, X., & Liu, J. (2025). The impact of artificial intelligence adoption on organizational decision-making: An empirical study based on the technology acceptance model in business management. Systems, 13(8), 683.
https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13080683
Stokes, M.X. (2025). Best Practices for Anonymous Survey Research Frequently Asked Questions What makes a survey ‘anonymous’? Available from: https://irb.smumn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/09/Best-practices-for-anonymous-survey-research.pdf (Accessed on: 09 July, 2025).
Tajik, O., Golzar, J., & Noor, S. (2025). Purposive sampling. International Journal of Education & Language Studies, 2(2), 1-9.
https://doi.org/10.22034/ijels.2025.490681.1029
Thomas, D., & Zubkov, P. (2023). Quantitative research designs. In Quantitative Research for Practical Theology, pp. 103-114. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370630979_Quantitative_Research_Designs
Thong, J. Y., Hong, S. J., & Tam, K. Y. (2006). The effects of post-adoption beliefs on the expectation-confirmation model for information technology continuance. International Journal of human-computer studies, 64(9), 799-810.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2006.05.001
UNCDF (2021). A digital bookkeeping App to Improve Access to Finance A case study from Ghana. Available from: https://www.rfilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/A-digital-bookkeeping-app-to-improve-access-to-finance-Ghana-1.pdf (Accessed on: Nov, 2011).
Vărzaru, A. A. (2022). Assessing artificial intelligence technology acceptance in managerial accounting. Electronics, 11(14), 2256.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Asif Baig (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
