Integrating technology acceptance model with innovation diffusion theory: an empirical investigation on students' intention to use e-learning systems

Abstract

This paper aims to explore and investigate the potential factors influencing students' behavioral intentions to use the e-learning system. This paper proposes an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that has been tested and examined through the use of both innovation diffusion theory (IDT) and integrating TAM. This paper was conducted on 1286 students utilizing systems of e-learning in Malaysia. The findings were obtained via a quantitative research method. The findings illustrate that six perceptions of innovation characteristics, in particular, have impacts on students' e-learning system behavioral intention. The influences of the relative advantages, observability, trialability, perceived compatibility, complexity, and perceived enjoyment on the perceived ease of use is noteworthy. Moreover, the effects of the relative advantages, complexity, trialability, observability, perceived compatibility, and perceived enjoyment on the perceived usefulness have a strong impact. Therefore, the empirical results provide strong backing to the integrative approach between TAM and IDT. The findings suggest an extended model of TAM with IDT for the acceptance of the e-learning system used to improve the students' learning performance, which can help decision makers in higher education, universities, as well as colleges to evaluate, plan and execute the use of e-learning systems.