Differences between perceived usefulness of social media and institutional channels by undergraduate students

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Sumida Garcia ◽  
Camila Mariane Costa Silva

Purpose This research aims to compare the preference of social media sites and institutional communication channels of a higher education institution by confronting elements that form perceived usefulness and user satisfaction with the system. Social media technologies are a part of the routine of the modern society in many diverse ways, including the support and even substitution of software designed specifically for knowledge acquisition and sharing. If students do not see value in the use of virtual learning environments and learning platforms, such tools might be prone to obsolescence as well. Design/methodology/approach The study was applied in a Brazilian public university located in a major city near São Paulo. The paper shows the results of the analysis of a survey with 108 answers, testing a model based on the information system success and on the technology acceptance model. The perceived usefulness of information technology is also subject to test through a Student t-test. Findings The paper shows that students perceive more value when using social media technologies to perform academic activities than in information systems provided by the university, mainly owing to the ease of use of the former. Service quality does not present a strong role as an antecedent variable in any case. Practical implications Students do not expect or do not see value in technical support during their general experience or usefulness for any of the analysed technologies. Thus, higher education institutions should focus their initiatives in providing availability, information quality and usability for institutional channels or, if they choose to do so, social media sites as well. Originality/value This study contributes to educational institutions by attaining better use of available IT tools for academic purposes. Previous studies looked for monitored or institutionalized use of social media tools in an educational context, but there was no in-depth analysis of spontaneous use by students to perform academic tasks.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Singh ◽  
Anuj Sharma

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to understand the benefits and utility of massive open online courses (MOOCs) as perceived by the student, vis-à-vis internship and determine the factors that influence student motivation and distraction in adoption of MOOCs.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is conducted through a survey; data are collected through a structured questionnaire. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is used as the base framework. For data analysis, Statistical Product and Service Solutions–Analysis of Moment Structures (SPSS–AMOS) 24.0 is used.FindingsThe impact of context-specific distinctive features of MOOCs and characteristics of students on user satisfaction are examined through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. In the study, it is found that positive social influence and better facilitating conditions improve perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness leading to a better user satisfaction. Self-regulation positively influences self-efficacy among students while pursuing MOOCs. Contrary to the past researches, it is found that in the pandemic environment self-efficacy is not impacting perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will benefit MOOCs developers and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in deeper understanding the significant factors affecting MOOC usage in higher education.Originality/valueThe study is ingrained to find the causes which will lead to user satisfaction of MOOCs by post-graduation students of B-schools in India. This is an original research and primary data has been collected for decision-making.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-558
Author(s):  
Joanna Kowalczyk-Anioł ◽  
Marek Nowacki

Purpose This study aims to identify the factors which affect Generation Y’s activity in social media (SM) while traveling. It draws on and extends the technology acceptance model (TAM) and social influence theory. It examines the effects of social influence processes (compliance, identification and internalization), perceived enjoyment (PE), perceived risk, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on tourism-related SM activity. Design/methodology/approach The study tested the model with a sample of 420 Polish Y’s who had traveled in the preceding 12 months and used SM. The verification of the hypotheses and the analysis of relationships between the variables were performed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings Out of the four variables of the TAM, only PE has significantly and directly affected Ys’ tourism-related activity in SM. From among the three processes of social influence, only internalization has had a significant impact on the enjoyment of SM use and, consequently, on the SM activity of Generation Y. Research limitations/implications This study covered only Polish Y’s. In the future, the formulated hypotheses should be verified in other generational cohorts, in sub-cohorts of Y’s and in other cultural contexts. Furthermore, limitations include lack of randomization of the survey distribution. Practical implications The presented results show a generational portrait of an increasingly important consumer group on the tourism market in relation to factors affecting their tourism-related activity in SM. Originality/value This is one of few studies (the first in the Central and Eastern Europe context) to examine Generation Y’s adoption of SM in tourism-related activity drawing on and extending the TAM and processes of social influence.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood H. Hussein ◽  
Siew Hock Ow ◽  
Ishaq Ibrahim ◽  
Moamin A. Mahmoud

Purpose The use of learning management systems (LMSs) such as Google Classroom has increased significantly in higher education institutes during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, only a few studies have investigated instructors’ continued intention to reuse LMS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence instructors’ intention to reuse an LMS in higher education institutes. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a mixed-method research design. In the quantitative section, an integrated model of technology acceptance model and information system success model is proposed to explore the effects of system quality, service quality, information quality, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on instructors’ satisfaction and how their satisfaction will influence their intention to reuse Google Classroom in the future. In the qualitative section, to gain more understanding, instructors were asked to identify the challenges that inhibit the adoption of e-Learning technologies in public universities in Iraq and what are their recommendations to rectify them. Findings The findings revealed that service quality had no positive influences on the satisfaction of instructors, while other factors had varying levels of influence, the findings further showed that inadequate internet service and students lack of interest are the biggest challenges instructors faced during their experience with Google Classroom. Research limitations/implications To improve the generalizability of the results, future studies are recommended to include larger samples, in addition, further studies are also advised to take individual traits such as age and gender into consideration. Originality/value The outcomes of this study are expected to benefit researchers, policymakers and LMS developers who are interested in factors that affect instructors’ intention to reuse LMS in higher education institutes in developing countries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asma Smeda ◽  
Mohd Fairuz Shiratuddin ◽  
Kok Wai Wong

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that may impact on the acceptance of the e-book amongst mathematics and statistics (MAS) students at higher education institutions in Libya. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model has been developed based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). The factors divided into three groups: intrinsic variables represent the first group of factors that are related to the user or the potential users itself, such as Self-Efficacy and Resistance to Change. Second, extrinsic variables include all the factors that reflect the characteristics of the e-book and the infrastructure for universities, which are Mobility (M), Facilities (F) and Library Service Quality (LS). TAM constructs from Perceived Ease Of Use (PEOU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), Attitude (AU) and Behaviour Intention (BI) represent the last group. Data relating to the constructs were collected through a self-administered survey in 2014. The developed model was measured and tested by structural equation modelling using AMOS (22.0). Findings The result confirmed that the structural model fits the data well. According to the results, TAM constructs have a significant impact on the acceptance of e-book among MAS students at universities in Libya. In addition, the intrinsic variables play the important role to predict students’ BI. Although the extrinsic variables were less important, Facilities was the strong factor in this group. Originality/value The adoption of e-book amongst higher education students in Libya is still quite low. Hence, identifying the factors that may contribute to e-book adoption is crucial. The contribution of this paper is to determine the factors that effect on the acceptance of e-book amongst MAS students at higher education institutions in Libya.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Lynn Smith ◽  
Allyson Rodriguez ◽  
Erin DeWitt Miller ◽  
Lu Xu

Purpose This study aims to uncover factors related to students’ preference for ebooks with hopes that understanding what drives these preferences will help librarians to figure out how to increase students’ use of ebooks. Design/methodology/approach Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, researchers developed a model of ebook preference and a survey including constructs related to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Respondents were undergraduate students from a core political science course at a large research university in the USA. Findings Ebook performance expectancy and ebook self-efficacy have indirect effects on ebook preference by way of ebook attitude. Ebook attitude and social influence both have direct effects. Research limitations/implications One of the limitation include respondents being of a similar age and having a similar experience of technology and ebooks. Prior use of ebooks may partially explain the results. Practical implications Librarians should help students develop ebook self-efficacy. Vendors should consider how interfaces may impact ebook self-efficacy. Ebook attitude may be positively influenced by tapping students’ desire to utilize technology. Originality/value This research adds to the understanding about ebook preference while expanding research in libraries by applying a theory and model from another research discipline.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Talha Salam ◽  
Hamza Imtiaz ◽  
Muhammad Burhan

Purpose During the COVID-19 crisis, diversified attitudes and behaviors of structural equation modeling (SME) retailers were observed in using social media marketing that could have helped mitigate the adverse effects of this crisis on businesses. This paper aims to present a thorough investigation of these perceptions and limited acceptance of social media marketing among SME retailers in a developing country during a crisis. Design/methodology/approach The investigation was designed using a mixed-method design. A qualitative investigation, as the first part, explored SME retailers’ perceptions of the use of social media marketing when they were faced with mandatory lockdown that stifled their business activity. The insights from qualitative study and literature helped devise the second part of the study, a quantitative study using the technology acceptance model (TAM). Analysis of responses from a sample of SME retailers (n = 149) was done using SEM in this study. Findings In the qualitative study, SME retailers were found to have a varying outlook toward social media marketing. Some ventured into social media marketing while others were impeded by their limited understanding. The second (quantitative) study showed the general applicability of TAM such that perceived ease of use through perceived usefulness influenced SME retailers’ attitudes toward the usage of social media marketing during the COVID-19 crisis. An important finding in both studies was that business owners’ education level influenced their perceptions of social media marketing. Research limitations/implications The investigation, albeit a comprehensive one, was conducted in a particular market and for SME retailers. This opens avenues for conducting similar studies in other segments of entrepreneurs to generate insights based on comparative analysis across segments and scenarios. Originality/value Limited or no marketing in the physical marketplace amid lockdown meant almost an existential crisis for entrepreneurs, especially SME retailers, in developing countries during the COVID-19 crisis. While technology acceptance by SME retailers has been discussed in the literature, there are limited discourses on technology acceptance among entrepreneurs and SME retailers during a crisis. These findings from the COVID-19 crisis explicate the possibilities and limitations of technology usage as a means to mitigate challenges faced by entrepreneurs during a crisis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 244-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shohana Akter ◽  
Md. Anwarul Islam

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the use of social media (SM) and its influence for increasing students’ participation in the quota reform movement at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach The revised technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to formulate this research’s hypotheses. A survey was administered to obtain data about students’ intention to use SM. The survey consisted of a set of questions based upon the revised TAM model. A total of 498 surveys were distributed and 304 students responded to it; hence, response rate was of 61.04%. A regression and single way ANOVA were conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings The results indicate that most of the students use SM for academic purposes and to get connected with friends. Among the social networking tools, Facebook is the most widely used by the respondents. Findings supported that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of SM affect student’s intention to increase participation in the quota reform movement. There were no significant relationships between gender and politics with the use of SM. Research limitations/implications A sample of students from Dhaka University was taken and the sample size was small. As a result, the findings of this study cannot be generalized in other settings. SM has a positive effect in the societies where change happens through collective actions. Originality/value Why and how students use SM has been widely discussed over the available literature, but students’ intention to use for it for social movements has not been studied. This study has made an effort to empirically examine the use of SM in the context of the quota reform movement in Bangladesh.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muslim Amin ◽  
Sajad Rezaei ◽  
Maryam Abolghasemi

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and trust on mobile website satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 302 valid questionnaires were collected to empirically test the research model. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement model and structural models. Findings – The results show that there is a positive relationship between PEOU, PU and mobile users’ satisfaction. PU is positively related to trust and mobile users’ satisfaction. Moreover, trust positively influences mobile users’ satisfaction. Practical implications – Drawing on the technology acceptance model and trust theory, this study develops and empirically examines a model for consumers’ satisfaction to use mobile services. This study contributes new insights concerning the marketing literature by examining the impact of PU, PEOU and trust on mobile users’ satisfaction. Originality/value – The contribution of the study is significant for both mobile marketers and academicians in the era of the third-generation environment. This study is among the first few attempts to integrate the TAM with trust to determine mobile user satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi M. Alamri ◽  
Mohammed Amin Almaiah ◽  
Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi

Nowadays, social media applications (SMAs) which are quite popular among students have a significant influence on education sustainability. However, there is a lack of research that explores elements of the constructivist learning approach with the technology acceptance model (TAM) in higher education. Therefore, this research aimed to minimize the literature gap by examining the SMA factors used for active collaborative learning (ACL) and engagement (EN) to affect the students’ academic performance in measuring education sustainability, as well as examining their satisfaction from its use. This study employed constructivism theory and TAM as the investigation model, and applied a quantitative method and analysis through surveying 192 university students at King Faisal University. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the responses were sorted into nine factors and analyzed to explain students’ academic performance in measuring education sustainability, as well as their satisfaction. The results were analyzed with structural equation modelling; it was shown that all the hypotheses were supported and positively related to sustainability for education, confirming significant relationships between the use of SMAs and the rest of the variables considered in our model (interactivity with peers (IN-P), interactivity with lecturers (IN-L), ACL, EN, perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), SMA use, student satisfaction (SS), and students’ academic performance (SAP).


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaizatulaqma Kamalul Ariffin ◽  
Mohamad Fakhrul Reza Abd Rahman ◽  
Ali Mughal Muhammad ◽  
Qi Zhang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key factors that explain intention to use e-wallet services (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, subjective norm, positive disconfirmation and perceived behavioral control). The moderating role of perceived value in the relationship between satisfaction and their intention to continue using the e-wallet is also examined. Methodology A total of 257 e-wallet users participated in an online survey and hypotheses were tested with SPSS/PLS-SEM. Findings The constructs technology acceptance model (TAM), theory of planned behavior (TPB) and user satisfaction affect intention to use. However, perceived value does not strengthen the relationship between user satisfaction and e-wallet usage intention. Practical implications The TAM, TPB and expectancy disconfirmation model (EDM) constructs help explain the use of e-wallet services. These results will help the providers of these services to understand user behavior and to design their marketing strategies more appropriately to ensure consumer satisfaction and their intention to use e-wallet services. Originality This study adopts a holistic and integrative approach to explain the continued use of e-wallet services. The model integrates three basic adoption theories: TAM, TPB and EDM.


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