**3. Theoretical Base**

The theoretical base of this study is the DeLone and McLean Information System success model (D&M IS success model) of 2003 and the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM) of Davis and modified by Venkatesh et al. [45–48]. An information system (IS) is developed using information technology (IT) to enhance the performance of individuals and organizations. However, the adoption of an IS is influenced by people, the organization, and other environmental factors [49]. Measurement of information system success is both complex and elusive [50]. Knowledge advancement in IT and related practices currently verifies that the right practice is the main factor of technology and knowledge success regarding diffusion and assimilation of IT innovations [17,51]. Researchers have derived several models to explain what makes some IS successful. For instance, Davis adapted the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and developed the technology acceptance model (TAM), which explains why some IS are more accepted by users than others [52,53]. Acceptance, however, is not equivalent to success, although acceptance of an information system is a necessary precondition to success [49]. In recent years, intention-based models were one important lines of research that employed behavioral intention to predict usage [46]. In turn, this focuses on the identification of the determinants of intention, such as attitudes, social influences, and facilitating conditions [54].

Since its invention, the D&M IS success model and the TAM model have been applied across several IS domain research contexts but are rare in the LRIS context [55,56]. De-Lone and MacLean reviewed the existing definitions of IS success and their corresponding measures and classified them into six major categories [57]. Thus, they created a multidimensional measuring model with interdependencies between the different success categories [48,58,59]. Ten years after the publication of their first model, DeLone and McLean [60] proposed an updated IS success model based on the evaluation of many other contributions to it. The updated D&M IS success models of 2003 consist of six interrelated dimensions that include (1) system quality, (2) information quality, (3) intention to use, (4) user satisfaction, (5) individual impact, and (6) organizational impact [49]. Each of these variables is a composite of numerous and diverse constructs and measures. The practical application of the D&M model is naturally dependent on the organizational context [49,60].

On the other hand, TAM is an adaptation of the TPB to the field of IS. TAM later advanced to TAM 2, which incorporated additional theoretical constructs spanning social influence processes (SIP) and cognitive instrumental processes [61]. TAM posits that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use determine an individual intention to use an IS, while the intention to use serves as a mediator of the actual use of a system. Perceived usefulness is also seen as being directly impacted by perceived ease of use [45,47]. Both TAM and TPB have strong behavioral elements, which assume that when someone forms an intention to act, they will be free to act without limitations. In practice, constraints such as limited ability, time, environmental or organizational limits, and unconscious habits will limit the freedom to act [49].

However, much of the existing theory in related research areas has not been articulated in a manner that lends it to rigorous testing to land tenure IS [62]. For instance, after more than a decade of modeling and building international consensus, the land administration domain model (LADM) only became a formal international standard(ISO 19152) in 2012 [15]. LADM offers a very generic spatial representation model, and it is becoming a common language in establishing geospatial referenced cadastral and land information systems [1,13,15,63]. On the other hand, a recent study by Biraro et al. [13] summarizes parameters and indicators to be taken to account when updating a LIS in the context of the land administration domain. In addition, Bennett et al. [1] systematically reviewed land administration system maintenance and indicated pathways for future research. Although all these models have different approaches, they have commonality in that they provide variables to be considered while evaluating or investigating a LIS development, implementation, and maintenance. This helps the authors to develop the proposed research model and empirically test it to gauge the acceptance and actual use of NRLAIS and predict its operational success in Ethiopia.

Accordingly, six latent variables identified include system quality, information quality, service quality, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and intention to use as a latent construct to determine acceptance and actual use of NRLAIS. The actual use behavior of the woreda land administration experts is considered a proxy predictor of NRLAIS operational success. First, the authors posit that the land administration experts at the woreda level, as internal system end-users/operators, need to accept NRLAIS. However, acceptance alone is not enough for continued use. In addition, as part of the service quality measure, the NRLAIS requires continuous maintenance of the system infrastructure and updating of the land records. In addition, the staff needs continuous competency and skill upgrading as a critical element of the system to operate and render land administration services on a daily basis. This will be explored through the identification by land administration staff of the perceived factors that determine the acceptance and actual use of NRLAIS as a proxy predictor to its operational success.

The land administration experts at the woreda land administration offices are taken as a unit of analysis for this study, because they are the key players and responsible for daily business service delivery. NRLAIS is the main and reliable source of information of the land administration experts for decision-making for service delivery per organizational rules and standards. The woreda land administration experts are the most experienced in creating, describing, defining, and altering the human to parcels of land relationship to legal interests (rights, restrictions, and responsibilities). Hence, the acceptance and actual use of NRLAIS at the woreda land administration offices would have the utmost policy and operational relevance for the success and sustainability of the land administration system in the country.

On this basis, this study proposed the definition of the identified variable constructs, their measurement, and their hypothetical relationships to each variable, which are presented as follows.

**System Quality (SYQU)**-System quality relies on user needs and overall performance, as perceived by users [49] and as specified in the system technical requirements and development. System quality measures the technical success aspects of NRLAIS. Highlevel system quality would serve users with useful perception for doing their daily business effectively and under a secured condition that is easy to use and learn. Hence, the main measurement items identified are ease of use, usefulness, and ease of learning [49]. Thus, the following is hypothesized.
