EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL READINESS FOR THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: EVIDENCE FROM THE TANZANIAN BANKING SECTOR

Abstract

Tanzanian banks operate in an environment where digital services increasingly shape competitio n and how financial products reach customers. Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies are affecting work organization, customer interaction, and staff responsibilities. This study investigates how employees in selected banks in Tanzania view digital banking technologies and their institutions’ preparedness to implement them. A modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) guides the analysis, incorporating perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitude towards technology (ATT), employees’ information technology proficie ncy (ITP), and information technology infrastructure (ITI). The research used a descriptive quantitat ive survey. From a stated population of 2,560, a sample of 346 was calculated. Questionna ires were circulated using Google Forms, and the responses were transferred to Excel for analysis in SPSS version 27. Following removal of one duplicate, 345 responses remained, reported as a 99.7% response rate. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess interna l consistency; Spearman’s correlation and ordinal regression were used for the inferential analysis. Intention to use digital banking (ITU) was positively correlated with PU, PEOU, ATT, ITI, and ITP. In the ordinal regression, however, attitude was the only statistically significant explanatory variable. The findings support regular, job-relevant training and continuing skills development as banks adapt to changing digital systems.