Predicting Online Learning Adoption: The Role of Compatibility, Self-Efficacy, Knowledge Sharing, and Knowledge Acquisition

Abstract

Online learning is becoming ubiquitous worldwide because of its accessibility anytime and from anywhere. However, it cannot be successfully implemented without understanding constructs that may affect its adoption. Unlike previous literature, this research extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology with three well-known theories, namely compatibility, online self-efficacy, and knowledge sharing and acquisition to examine online learning adoption. A total of 264 higher education students took part in this research. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling was used to evaluate the proposed theoretical model. The findings suggested that performance expectancy and compatibility were significant predictors of behavioral intention, whereas behavioral intention, facilitating conditions, and compatibility had a significant and direct effect on online learning’s actual use. The results also showed that knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and online self-efficacy were determinates of performance expectancy. Finally, online self-efficacy was a predictor of effort expectancy. The proposed model achieved a high fit and explained 47.7%, 75.1%, 76.1%, and 71.8% of the variance of effort expectancy, performance expectancy, behavioral intention, and online learning actual use, respectively. This study has many theoretical and practical implications that have been discussed for further research.

Keywords

• online learning adoption
• unified theory of acceptance and use of technology
• compatibility
• knowledge acquisition
• knowledge sharing
• self-efficacy