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Purpose: This study relies on an integrated model to study the role of instant mobile messaging apps in the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping different forms of businesses;one of them is digital marketing. Many aspects of digital marketing augmented in response to the consequences of the virus. A comparative study between Pakistan and Iraq is conducted to investigate the resistors of innovation with the mediation of intention toward actual system usage. It examines the behavioral intentions and actual behavior of individuals in response to the resistance toward innovation. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 800 responses were collected through a convenient sampling method from individuals residing in Pakistan and Iraq in the first wave of COVID-19. The data was analyzed through covariance-based structural equation modeling;SPSS and Smart PLS 3.0 were used as efficient data analysis tools in the study. Findings: The results inferred that individuals are faced with resistance to innovation when they adopt innovative technology. It was inferred that technology adoption is not poised through image both in Pakistan and Iraq. Intention toward actual behavior was determined to be a potential mediator, which enhances the stature of the integrated model. Originality/value: The significance of this study considering practical and theoretical implications is incorporated for marketer's policymakers and consumers, along with recommendations for future research. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Introduction: Within the technological development path, chatbots are considered an important tool for economic and social entities to become more efficient and to develop customer-centric experiences that mimic human behavior. Although artificial intelligence is increasingly used, there is a lack of empirical studies that aim to understand consumers' experience with chatbots. Moreover, in a context characterized by constant population aging and an increased life-expectancy, the way aging adults perceive technology becomes of great interest. However, based on the digital divide (unequal access to technology, knowledge, and resources), and since young adults (aged between 18 and 34 years old) are considered to have greater affinity for technology, most of the research is dedicated to their perception. The present paper investigates the way chatbots are perceived by middle-aged and aging adults in Romania. Methods: An online opinion survey has been conducted. The age-range of the subjects is 40-78 years old, a convenience sampling technique being used (N = 235). The timeframe of the study is May-June 2021. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic is the core context of the research. A covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) has been used to test the theoretical assumptions as it is a procedure used for complex conceptual models and theory testing. Results: The results show that while perceived ease of use is explained by the effort, the competence, and the perceive external control in interacting with chatbots, perceived usefulness is supported by the perceived ease of use and subjective norms. Furthermore, individuals are likely to further use chatbots (behavioral intention) if they consider this interaction useful and if the others' opinion is in favor of using it. Gender and age seem to have no effect on behavioral intention. As studies on chatbots and aging adults are few and are mainly investigating reactions in the healthcare domain, this research is one of the first attempts to better understand the way chatbots in a not domain-specific context are perceived later in life. Likewise, judging from a business perspective, the results can help economic and social organizations to improve and adapt AI-based interaction for the aging customers.
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This study aims to analyze the antecedents of e-learning adoption during the pandemic at Adamson University. This quantitative research uses Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) to analyze the data obtained. The data was collected from Adamson University's higher education students with an online questionnaire survey distributed from May until July 2022. In total, there are 207 respondents collected and valid to do measurement and further analysis. The study comprehensively demonstrates consistent results with the previous research. The results show that all hypotheses are accepted and supported by previous research. System Quality and Prior e-learning experience have a positive and significant direct effect on Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. Then. Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use have a positive and significant effect on Attitude toward e-learning. Attitude towards e-learning has a positive direct effect on behavioral intention to use e-learning. Implications, limitations, and further research suggestions were well discussed. © 2022 IEEE.
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E-wallet is a part of the fintech solution that provides customer convenience through fast speed of transaction using RFID technology, QR code and stable internet connection. The usage of e-wallet in Malaysia and Sarawak has risen in the past few years and accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis due to the needs of contactless payment to reduce the spread of the virus. However, the usage of e-wallet and factors that affect the usage of e-wallet in Sarawak has not been identified through research. Therefore, this research aims to identify the factors influencing e-wallet usage and evaluate the factors using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) affecting Sarawakians perception towards e-wallet in general and towards Sarawak's own e-wallet app, SarawakPay. Data collection of online questionnaires have been distributed and 111 responses was analyzed using descriptive analysis and correlation analysis as well as multiple linear regression to obtain mean and standard deviation values. Five formulated hypotheses were tested using multiple linear regression showing a significant and positive relationship among the TAM variables. Descriptive analysis results have also shown that top factors affecting usage of SarawakPay is performance expectancy and perceived value. The result from this research indicates that the usage of e-wallet in Sarawak is still at medium level. The evaluation using TAM shows that there is significant relationship between the Technological and Social factors to the usage of e-wallet in Sarawak. © 2022 IEEE.
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Learning habits among students in higher institution, has radically changed over the last two decades, partially due to the features of the information and digital society, wide scale broadband internet access, proliferation of smart devices and consequently, available online mobile applications. Thus, in higher education, e-learning systems are essential, and the COVID-19 pandemic era has seen an increase in popularity of e-learning. Thus, it is critical to establish the extent to which students in higher education adopt e-learning. This paper focuses at developing a framework for e-learning technologies through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by incorporating system characteristics as its' extended variable, which consists of three main constructs: system quality, content quality and information quality among university students in Malaysia. Regarding the system characteristics, the findings suggested that all three components that make up system characteristics had a significant positive influence on students' perceived ease of use of the e-learning system, whereas only system quality and information quality had a significant positive impact on students' perceived usefulness of the e-learning system. With respect to TAM, all relationships were found to be significant. © 2022 IEEE.
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In the post-COVID-19 era, promoting the healthy development of social e-commerce platforms, taking into account the coordinated development of online social networking and online consumption, enhancing the shopping and sharing atmosphere of the platform, increasing the enthusiasm of distribution members, driving consumption traffic with social traffic, and achieving low-cost publicity and promotion increase the exposure of products. The key to solving the problem is to promote consumer participation, improve user conversion, and improve customer acquisition capabilities. The study is based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory. It introduces the technology acceptance model (TAM) and, according to the member life cycle theory and member value mining theory, will affect consumers' social presence factors in social e-commerce shopping situations. As independent variables, perceived trust and perceived usefulness are used as mediating variables to construct a research model that shows social e-commerce affects user conversion.
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Background: All universities were faced with the challenges of e-learning when they suddenly had to switch to distance learning in March 2020 due to COVID-19 regulations. Several challenges may arise when implementing e-learning, including an insufficient budget or problems with adoption. Nevertheless, the role of digitalization is to ensure the university's long-term sustainability. Indeed, the future of e-learning depends on future generations, which increasingly accept new technologies. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the factors that stimulate university students' acceptance of technology. Methodology: The study population comprised Romanian university students who took online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire survey was employed to gather primary data. The surveys were distributed between January and February 2022. In particular, 1,875 questionnaires were received from students, who were the focus of this study (the results for teachers were presented in previous research). To process and interpret the data, the method of modeling with structural equations (SEM) was used. The data collected were processed using SPSS and AMOS. Findings: The results indicate that external factors do not influence perceived usefulness. Accordingly, students consider that the perceived ease of use does not influence the behavior intention to use new technologies. Conclusion: The results linked e-learning satisfaction to academic success and Romanian students who utilized e-learning during the pandemic. In addition, the results indicate that external factors do not influence perceived usefulness. Accordingly, students consider that the perceived ease of use does not influence the behavior intention to use new technologies. The results validated the basic variables of the TAM model. Implications: The study presents a series of theoretical, practical, and societal implications that can guide universities in adopting sustainable development goals.
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Internet of things (IoT) is an emerging technology that is being used widely. The literature has no agreement regarding the factors that affect the adoption of IoT. The purpose of this study is to review the literature systematically using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Following this method, 69 articles were included in this review. A frequency analysis was conducted. The findings showed that number of articles reduced during COVID19. Higher education has the highest numbers of articles. Emerging economies are active in research about IoT. Technology acceptance model (TAM) is still the dominant adoption theory with majority of the reviewed articles are using quantitative method and large sample size to meet the assumption of using structural equation modeling. The most important predictors are the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, privacy, security, and trust. Other factors also included the variables of UTAUT. Decision makers are recommended to focus on usefulness and simplifies the process of using IoT as well as to create awareness about the application of IoT. Future studies are recommended to narrow the scope to one industry and to conduct more studies using mixed method or qualitative approach. More studies in developing countries are needed to explain the adoption of IoT. © 2022 Slovene Society Informatika. All rights reserved.
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PurposeThis study relies on an integrated model to study the role of instant mobile messaging apps in the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping different forms of businesses;one of them is digital marketing. Many aspects of digital marketing augmented in response to the consequences of the virus. A comparative study between Pakistan and Iraq is conducted to investigate the resistors of innovation with the mediation of intention toward actual system usage. It examines the behavioral intentions and actual behavior of individuals in response to the resistance toward innovation. Design/methodology/approachA total of 800 responses were collected through a convenient sampling method from individuals residing in Pakistan and Iraq in the first wave of COVID-19. The data was analyzed through covariance-based structural equation modeling;SPSS and Smart PLS 3.0 were used as efficient data analysis tools in the study. FindingsThe results inferred that individuals are faced with resistance to innovation when they adopt innovative technology. It was inferred that technology adoption is not poised through image both in Pakistan and Iraq. Intention toward actual behavior was determined to be a potential mediator, which enhances the stature of the integrated model. Originality/valueThe significance of this study considering practical and theoretical implications is incorporated for marketer's policymakers and consumers, along with recommendations for future research.
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Mobile learning has become a critical aspect of online learning in the post-pandemic era. As a result, practitioners and policymakers have paid increasing attention to mobile learning acceptance among various stakeholders. However, there is a vacuity of literature on mobile learning acceptance in developing countries, particularly in the African context. This study sought to examine the determinants of mobile learning acceptance among undergraduates in higher educational institutions using a structural equation modelling approach. Data were collected through a web survey distributed to 415 undergraduate students in Namibia. The majority of the UTAUT relationships were confirmed, although some were not supported. The results revealed a strong positive relationship between performance expectancy and hedonic motivation. Hence, hedonic motivation mediates the relationship between performance expectancy and behavioural intention to use mobile learning in Namibia. The results of this study may help to inform mobile learning implementation efforts, particularly in the post-pandemic period.
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Green banking is an umbrella term that refers to policies and principles that help banks to be more sustainable in terms of their economic, environmental, and social impacts. Its goal is to make banking procedures, as well as the usage of IT and physical infrastructure, as efficient and effective as possible while having zero or little environmental impact. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses across the globe were badly hit. This paper is an attempt to show the awareness of green banking initiatives, regularity of usage of green services and the perceived benefits of using such services during the pandemic among customers of selected public and private sector banks in Karnataka, India. It was found that the nationwide lockdown had an impact on respondents accomplishing banking services. The results disclosed the level of awareness about green banking concept. Debit card, mobile banking and Internet banking were the most widely used green products. The findings showed three main benefits of green banking, namely, increase in UPI transactions using mobile banking, secure transactions and environmental benefits. The outcomes of this study can help the banking institutions to market their green banking services and work on their implementation.
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The pandemic of COVID 19 is perceived by the literacy as digital improving skills toward the change off lifestyle and workflow. Nevertheless, beyond the personal attitude regarding those changes, the digital skills perceived usefulness and use rose as a direct result. The digital skills, covered in The Digital Economy and Society Index, published by EU Commission since 2014, are divided into private life, employee and learning scope of usage. The analyses also comprise the human capital, connectivity, integration of digital technology, and digital public services. This article presents the findings of a cross-pandemic research, in the period of 2019-2022, regarding the digital skills perceived usefulness, profiling depending on the scope of usage and the intention to enhance the digital skills by assisted training. The paper presents the research results of an enquiry made among the students regarding perceived usefulness, use and training intention for digital skills enhancements. It covers the bachelor and master's degree programs, with the Computer Science, Social Sciences and Engineering as field of study. The study was made using 266 answers from the above-mentioned categories.
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With the impact of COVID-19, many university students may not be able to learn English in the physical classroom in a traditional way. Students' English learning effectiveness and outcome were threatened when English learning was forced to turn online. Thus, a variety of technological media and platforms to improve their learning outcomes are in need. Mobile learning (M-learning) that involves interacting with other devices through mobile devices and wireless networks can also be a solution to improve students' online English learning effectiveness. In order to explore the learning behaviors and attitudes of university students when learning English with M-learning, this study integrated technology acceptance model and Stimulus Organism Response model including the concepts of perceived convenience, curiosity and self-efficacy in addition to the original technology acceptance model to verify university students' usage cognition and attitude toward English M-learning. This study disseminated surveys to 10 targeted universities/colleges and collected 1432 valid surveys. This study implemented Smart-PLS 4.0 to examine structural model and verify the hypotheses. Results indicated that perceived convenience have positive impact on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitude toward using; there is a significant and positive relationship among perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward using and intention to using; curiosity and self-efficacy have positive impact on intention to using. Based on the findings, this study further provides abundant theoretical insights and practical significance on language learning.
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The COVID-19 lockdowns upended business operations, impacting microenterprises which prompted the Cebu Province to implement a stimulus grant to revive existing and encourage start-up microenterprises known as the Sugbo Negosyo program. A digital card system (DCS) with a quick response (QR) code payment was utilized to facilitate the disbursement of financial assistance and to enable real-time monitoring of the program beneficiaries' expenditure transactions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the DCS, investigating how the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude towards its use have influenced the actual use and satisfaction of the DCS use by the beneficiaries. The research, a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, was participated by 212 beneficiaries through face-to-face surveys. With the Technology Acceptance Method (TAM) as the study's framework, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) results show that the DCS is evaluated as useful and easy to use and satisfied the beneficiaries. © 2022, University of San Jose-Recoletos. All rights reserved.
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seeing high-tech medical devices from other nations and witnessing surgery to learn has become nearly unattainable. The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created cross-border medical education challenging. Nevertheless, to cater to the increase in non-face-to-face education, instructional techniques entailing the 'metaverse' are being initiated in the medical field, since medical staff from all over the globe who frequented the UAE to acquire skills in medical technology and medical students who require to exercise have already had minimal prospects to collaborate closely with patients attributable to COVID-19. Employing video-conferencing technology like Zoom to provide effective medical education is similarly difficult. The research's goal is to learn the perception of students in the UAE towards the metaverse system (MV) used for medical training. The conceptual model includes The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) elements and adoption aspects of perceived value. The research's conceptual model, which connects both personal-based traits and technological features, is what makes it novel. Additionally, the novel hybrid analysis approach will be applied in the present research to conduct machine learning (ML) driven structural equation modeling (SEM) evaluation. © 2022 IEEE.
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Purpose>The meddling of foreign players into the Indian hotel industry has triggered fervent competitiveness, and therefore, consumers' attitude, intention and behavior have been the epicenter of all activities. This study endeavors to explicate enablers of online hotel booking intention (OHBI) in the Indian hospitality industry.Design/methodology/approach>The study examined OHBI of 560 travelers during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India using structural equation modeling and an extended technology acceptance model. Direct and indirect associations were explored using mediation and moderation.Findings>The results manifest that hotel website credibility, perceived website interactivity and perceived ease of use (PEU) aggrandize perceived usefulness (PU), which, in turn, considerably magnifies travelers' OHBI. PEU and PU partially mediate the relationship in the model. Into the bargain, service affordability reinforces the relationship, while perceived pandemic risk enfeebles the relationship between PU and OHBI.Research limitations/implications>The study unfurls pressing determinants of PEU, PU and OHBI that may facilitate hoteliers to lure travelers and enhance profitability.Originality/value>There is a paucity of literature on "hotel website credibility” and "perceived pandemic risk” in the hospitality industry. Hence, the study enriches literature by assimilating underlying constructs through an epigrammatic conceptual model. The study is distinctive because it unearths the possibilities of mediation and moderation amongst the aforementioned constructs and posits the calamitous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism and hospitality sector.
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Purpose>The purpose of this study is to segment mobile wallet users using a finite mixture partial least squares (FIMIX-PLS) approach and evaluate the unobserved heterogeneity across segments.Design/methodology/approach>Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using a convenience sample of 744 responses was used to analyze the measurement, structural model and hypotheses testing. To examine unobserved heterogeneity and identify user segments, FIMIX-PLS technique was employed. To generate more precise recommendations, importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) was performed with attitude as the target variable.Findings>A structural equation model revealed that except perceived ease of use (PEOU) all other dimensions, namely perceived usefulness (PU), lifestyle compatibility (LC), facilitating conditions (FC), trust and security significantly influences attitude which, in turn, determines intention. The FIMIX-PLS technique resulted in four segments – The Rationalist, Early Adopters, Late Adopters and The Innovators.Practical implications>The paper provides segment specific and between segment differences to derive implications. Identification of relevant predictors and segments will help academicians, marketing researchers and practitioners in gaining further understanding of the mobile wallet adoption. The findings of the paper can guide mobile wallet providers to frame appropriate strategies and offerings pertaining to the obtained segments.Originality/value>The paper builds upon Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to propose an integrated model to explain adoption behaviors associated with mobile wallet. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first empirical attempts using FIMIX-PLS technique to assess precursors of adoption and substantiates the perceived value-attitude-intention linkage to identify heterogeneity among mobile wallet users.
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Although research has been conducted on the benefits of technology-enhanced learning in education, some higher education institutions have adapted and embraced these technological benefits, but others have not. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a heightened awareness of technology-enhanced learning and the need for faculty to support the adoption of technology tools in their instructional practices. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to explore faculty perceptions of the impact of a rapid need-based pivot to remote learning during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The study is grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model 3, which connects multiple perceptions of a technology user with indications of acceptance and use of technology. This model also considers the use of technology under voluntary and involuntary circumstances. Interviews with 13 faculty members from various campuses were conducted as the primary data collection method to answer the research question: What are faculty perceptions of the use of technology-enhanced learning resulting from their experiences during COVID-19? The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge on faculty transitions to technology acceptance, provide current perceptions of faculty regarding academic technology integration since the pandemic, and establish the basis for creating a faculty development series in technology-enhanced learning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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PurposeThe paper intends to comprehend the pattern of usage of FinTech services among bank customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper also examines the factors influencing the adoption of FinTech services by using the constructs from the technology acceptance model (TAM) together with highlighting the issues faced in using FinTech services in Assam.Design/methodology/approachThe research is empirical in nature. Data have been collected from 1,066 prime earners of the households having a bank account.FindingsThere has been an upsurge in the use of FinTech services in the area of study. Apart from government and private service employees, businessmen, self-employed professionals, many daily-wage earners and agriculturists have also experienced an increase in their frequency of usage of FinTech services thereby making technology-based financial services an indispensable tool in enhancing access, improving inclusivity in the times of crisis and aftermath. Government support, trust, perceived usefulness (PU), attitude and social influence have a positive influence on FinTech adoption;however, perceived risks impact respondents' trust towards FinTech services thereby requiring necessary measures to evaluate organizations' preparedness to deal with cyber threats.Originality/valueThe paper provides insight into the factors impacting the adoption of FinTech services to stimulate superior connectivity infrastructure, robust security measures and maintaining financial stability with adequate supervisory and monitoring regulations to enhance trust towards FinTech services during the crisis and aftermath.
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PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine the impact of digital technology (specifically mobile applications) use on employees' perceptions of motivation at work (MW) and job performance (JP).Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 4,089 employees working in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered to Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (SMEDO) in Turkey. The relationships were assessed through structural equation modeling with bootstrap estimation.FindingsThe results support the proposed framework illustrating the positive effect of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) of mobile applications on employees' perceived JP. Findings indicate that MW has exhibited a mediating effect between both PU and JP and PEOU and JP.Originality/valueThis article discusses the accelerating role of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on SMEs' technology acceptance and the acceptance's positive impact on employees' motivation and performance. This article adds to the literature on SMEs by enabling researchers and practitioners to understand the issues in digital technologies acceptance by SME employees and contributes towards enriching the knowledge on technology acceptance perceptions' role in SMEs coping strategies during the COVID-19.