Determinants of academic use of the Internet: A structural equation model

The last decade of the 20th century brought radical changes in information and communication technology. Internet usage is being widely researched in the business world. However, the use of the Internet in academic settings in general and in vocational and technical establishment in particular is a neglected area. Successful use of the Internet is largely dependent upon the user's behaviour that, in turn, affects their attitudes. Even when remarkable opportunities exist for the deployment of technology, adverse attitude can inhibit use. Keeping this in mind, a survey of 166 academics of four technical and vocational colleges was conducted to study the attitudes of academics toward the use of the Internet. This study develops a model and validates two specific attitudinal variables--perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use--which are hypothesized to be fundamental determinants of use of the Internet. Adding two more variables--such as task characteristics and computer exposure--test the parsimony of the model further. A structural equation modelling technique is used to validate the model. The study confirmed that 79% of academics are using the Internet. Computer experience, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use remain to be fundamental determinants of attitude formation. No other variables have been found to be significant.     

Attitudes towards end-user computing: a structural equation model

Success with End-User Computing (EUC) is dependent on the voluntary behaviour of individuals, which is regulated by their attitudes. Even where proven opportunities exist for beneficial deployment of EUC, adverse attitudes can inhibit use. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse survey data relating to the processes by which individuals form their attitudes towards computers. The results provide support for hypothesized influences on attitudes from personality, product involvement, task characteristics, and computer anxiety. Additional analyses reveal the effects of demographic factors. Attitudes towards computers provide a potentially more enduring measure of EUC success than do previous measures. Mechanisms for promoting positive attitudes towards computers are critical for full appreciation of the benefits of EUC.     

Determinants of the intention to use Internet/WWW at work: a confirmatory study

Previous studies on adoption of the Internet and WWW have investigated factors affecting usage. We believe that the intention to use a technology is equally important, not only for promoting the technology but also for encouraging its voluntary continued use. Although the Triandis model has been applied to a number of technology adoption studies, its adequacy has not been assessed by using a confirmatory analysis method. Structural equation modeling may be used to assess the adequacy of the model for a technology adoption study and to compare it to alternative specifications that integrate previous research results. To prove our hypothesis, data were collected from 255 part-time MBA and diploma students. The results show that our proposed model provides a better fit than the original model. The structural path model shows the important factors that influence the intention to use the Internet/WWW as well as interrelationships between the factors. Comparing previous results on actual usage, the relative importance of factors affecting intention formation is different.     

A structural equation modeling of the Internet acceptance in Korea

The objective of this study is to develop and test an integrated conceptual model of the Internet acceptance. Based on the two dominant theoretical paradigms – the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) – we propose a model of the Internet acceptance to investigate the relationship between external variables such as individual differences, task characteristics and management support, and individual acceptance of the Internet. The model is tested using data gathered from 374 end users of the Internet in Korean firms and data analysis is conducted using a structural equation modeling with LISREL. Significant relationships are found between experience and usefulness, between experience and ease of use, and between ease of use and usefulness. Organizational support is found to influence usefulness, ease of use and subjective norm. We also observe that actual usage is not influenced by subjective norm, but significantly influenced by experience, usefulness and ease of use. This result implies that individual acceptance of the Internet is significantly related to external factors such as experience, task characteristics and organizational characteristics rather than beliefs.     

A structural equation modeling of the Internet acceptance in Korea

The objective of this study is to develop and test an integrated conceptual model of the Internet acceptance. Based on the two dominant theoretical paradigms – the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) – we propose a model of the Internet acceptance to investigate the relationship between external variables such as individual differences, task characteristics and management support, and individual acceptance of the Internet. The model is tested using data gathered from 374 end users of the Internet in Korean firms and data analysis is conducted using a structural equation modeling with LISREL. Significant relationships are found between experience and usefulness, between experience and ease of use, and between ease of use and usefulness. Organizational support is found to influence usefulness, ease of use and subjective norm. We also observe that actual usage is not influenced by subjective norm, but significantly influenced by experience, usefulness and ease of use. This result implies that individual acceptance of the Internet is significantly related to external factors such as experience, task characteristics and organizational characteristics rather than beliefs.     

Exploration of the antecedents of digital piracy through a structural equation model

The prevalence of unauthorized downloading and duplication has been a serious ethical and financial threat. The current study explored the antecedents of digital piracy attitudes and intentions in a country with a high piracy rate. A structural equation model was proposed to investigate the interrelationships among the proposed antecedents and digital piracy intentions. The model was tested with 268 high school students, 610 undergraduate students and 406 adults. Latent variables of interest were derived from the recent literature on piracy, which were facilitating conditions, optimism bias, previous experiences, prosecution risk, current habits, attitudes towards digital piracy and behavioral intention to conduct piracy. The model revealed a positive relationship between facilitating conditions and optimism bias. Optimism bias and prior experiences had a positive relationship with current digital piracy habits, whereas prosecution risk had a decreasing influence on these habits. Relationships among piracy habits, attitudes and intentions were significant as well. The structural equation model revealed acceptable and consistent fit values across three samples. Findings maintain that further research may resort to the assumptions of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Theory of Reasoned Action to explain the nature of behavioral intentions towards digital piracy and eliminate undesirable piracy acts.     

Determinants of self-report and system-captured measures of mobile Internet use intensity

Most research on the first adoption and subsequent use (= acceptance) of Internet access through cellular networks and portable appliances (= mobile Internet) has followed a similar pattern. It has employed survey responses of mobile network operator [MNO] customers to explain consumers’ stated future use (continuance) intentions or claimed use intensities related to mobile Internet [MI] access by various beliefs about MI (e.g., perceived relative advantage, usefulness, ease of use). However, there is ample evidence suggesting that MI use intentions and self-reported use intensities are only weakly correlated with actual MI use. Therefore, the present paper develops hypotheses on how the ability of different types of variables to account for variance in MI use intensity may vary depending on whether subjectively estimated or objectively captured use serves as the criterion variable. The hypotheses are tested by analyzing actual MI use behaviors of 300 adopters in Germany, whose mobile IP traffic was extracted from an MNO’s billing engine. This “system-captured” criterion measure is integrated with MI adopter responses collected by means of a standardized telephone survey. Results show that the predictors are more strongly correlated with self-rated than with system-captured MI use intensity. Up to 38% of the variance explained in self-rated use may be attributed to artifactual covariance between variables caused by common measurement methods. Factual MI use case features (MI tariff type and appliance class, fixed Internet home access availability) are better able to account for variance in both self-rated and actual MI use intensity than MI related beliefs. The findings imply that variable relationships observed in earlier MI and information system (IS) acceptance studies are likely to have been inflated by common method biases and thus may have provided spurious support for the conceptual frameworks tested. Implications of the results for future MI and IS acceptance research and for MNO seeking to forecast and to influence the MI use intensity of their customers are discussed.     

Determinants of the intention to use NFC technology as a payment system: an acceptance model approach

The worldwide growth of mobile technology has enabled many companies to take advantage of its application as complementary sales tools. The main objective of this research is user acceptance analysis of near field communication mobile payment systems. Classic variables from the technology acceptance model, as well as variables from other recent studies, were used as models for this research (compatibility, security, personal innovation and individual mobility). To meet these objectives a questionnaire, filled out by 191 respondents, formed the basis of a structural equation modeling designed by PLS 3.0 software. The results show that attitude, subjective norms and innovation and are determinants of the future intention to use this technology. Finally, the main implications for corporate management and business development strategies which reinforce this type of business in light of new technical developments are discussed.     

A cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use

This article introduces a cognitive-behavioral model of Pathological Internet Use (PIU). While previous studies on Internet addiction have described behavioral factors, such as withdrawal and tolerance, the present article focuses on the maladaptive cognitions associated with PIU. The cognitive-behavioral model of PIU distinguishes between specific PIU and generalized PIU. Specific PIU refers to the condition in which an individual pathologically uses the Internet for a particular purpose, such as online sex or online gambling, whereas generalized PIU describes a more global set of behaviors. The model implies a more important role of cognitions in PIU, and describes the means by which PIU is both developed and maintained. Furthermore, it provides a framework for the development of cognitive-behavioral interventions for PIU.     

Toward a model for the study of children’s informal Internet use

Throughout history, the development and widespread use of new technologies has impacted human cognition and social structures. By integrating a range of cognitive and socio-cultural theories we are better able to understand the impact of technological tools, such as the Internet, on children in the context of their local and global communities. An integrated theoretical approach enables us to more comprehensively ascertain the potential of the Internet to significantly impact children’s cognitive processes and the larger social implications of this global phenomenon. This paper presents a small-scale exploratory study that, through the development of an Internet-mediated learning model, examines the skills and characteristics of young, competent Internet-users engaged in informal Internet activities. At present, there is much conjecture on the ways in which the Internet may affect learning and this paper describes an approach to research that could inform future data collection procedures and analysis in empirical studies.     

A structural equation model of job performance using a computer-based order entry system

The research uses a structural equation model with latent variables to examine the role of computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy in impacting job performance. Constructs measuring management support, ease of system use, and the previous computer experience of the user are used as antecedents to computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. The empirical results are generated using 524 responses to a questionnaire administered in a large hospital in the southeastern United States regarding its computer-based order entry system. These results provide empirical support for the theoretical role of computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy positively impacting job performance. Further, the antecedents were found to have the expected positive impacts on computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy.     

On Bayesian estimation and model comparison of an integrated structural equation model

In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian approach to the estimation and model comparison of an integrated two-level nonlinear structural equation model with mixed continuous, dichotomous, and ordered categorical data that may be missing at random. This general model can accommodate nonlinearities of latent variables and the effects of fixed covariates on measurement and structural equations in within-groups and between-groups models. A sampling-based algorithm that combines the Gibbs sampler and the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm is proposed for posterior simulation. A procedure that utilizes path sampling is implemented to compute the Bayes factor for model comparison under the framework of the proposed integrated model. Empirical performances of Bayesian methodologies are illustrated via analysis of a real example.     

Preventing problematic Internet use through video-based interventions: a theoretical model and empirical test

This study relies on the core ideas of the health belief model and suggests that short informational videos on Internet ‘addiction’ can be an effective means towards preventing problematic use of the Internet through their ability to drive changes in viewers’ attitudes towards reducing their Internet use. Building on the heuristic-systematic model of information processing viewpoint, it is further suggested that this attitude change is guided by the information the videos provide, as well as the surprise emotion they generate. To test this model, data were collected at three points in time from 223 participants who were exposed to one of two video interventions. Partial least-square analyses indicated that the videos were efficacious in improving viewers’ attitudes towards reducing their Internet use, after accounting for viewers’ preexisting attitudes, levels of Internet ‘addiction’, demographics and social desirability bias. Consistent with the heuristic-systematic model of information-processing perspective this effect was mobilised simultaneously through the information and surprise induced by the videos.     

Computers and the Internet as a job assisted tool: based on the three-tier use model approach

Personal attitudes are a major factor to affect individual information technology usage. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of individual attitudes toward computers and the Internet usage for assisting job performance. This research applies the 3-TUM approach to understand individual attitudes toward computers and the Internet usage. After statistical analysis, the results provide a support that the 3-TUM is appropriate model for investigating faculty and staff perceptions toward computers and Internet. In addition, the results also support that using computers and the Internet may assist individual job performance. Furthermore; this study offer evidence that when individuals have more self-efficacy and feel computers and the Internet are more useful, then they have more behavioral intention to use and learn computers and the Internet for assisting their job performance.     

A structural equation model for analyzing the impact of ERP on SCM

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) represent important information technology investment options for operation or IT managers, and have been acclaimed in the practitioner and academic literature for their potential to improve business performance. The purpose of this article is to provide further insights into the adoption of ERP systems and the impacts on firm competence in SCM. We propose a model featuring ERP benefits to firm competences in supply chain management. We also hypothesize that three constructs of ERP benefits positively impact firm competences in SCM. To clarify the relationships among these constructs, structural equation model (SEM) is conducted to examine the model fit and nine hypotheses. The SEM results clearly demonstrate that there exist close interrelations among the benefits of implementing ERP systems and firm competences in SCM. The data from Taiwanese IT firms was collected through interviewing of experts and surveys. The results provide empirical evidence that the beneficial impacts of ERP on the supply chain do lead to better overall SCM competence. That evidence confirms that operational benefits, business process and management benefits, and strategic IT planning benefits of ERP in turn enhance firm competences of SCM in operational process integration, customer and relationship integration, and planning and control process integration.     

The factors affecting acceptance and use of interactive whiteboard within the scope of FATIH project: A structural equation model based on the Unified Theory of acceptance and use of technology

Purpose of this research is to explain the factors affecting high school teachers' acceptance and use of interactive whiteboard within the scope of FATIH project according to the Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT, Venkatesh et al., 2003). The study was designed using causal research design in order to examine the cause-effect relationship between the variables. Sample of the study consists of 158 teachers, determined via criteria sampling, who have participated in the study voluntarily. Data has been collected using a 7 points Likert scale, developed for this study, which covers UTAUS's factors and variables featuring interactive whiteboard acceptance and use of the teachers. The collected data has been analyzed with simple and multiple linear regressions and structural equation model. The findings have shown that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence had positive effects on behavioral intention; behavioral intention and facilitating conditions had positive effects on the usage time of interactive whiteboard.     

常用软件体系结构模型的分析

随着软件规模和复杂程度不断地扩大和增加,软件开发的成功已不再完全取决于数据结构和软件算法的选择,而是在很大程度上取决于软件体系结构,软件体系结构模型是影响软件的关键。分析了几种常用软件体系结构模型的特征、优点、缺点,提出了软件体系结构模型指导软件开发的优点。     

Predicting the financial performance index of technology fund for SME using structural equation model

As the technology credit fund is available to support SMEs which have intangible technology assets, many organizations are involved in technology evaluation with various factors. Technology evaluation has worth when the evaluation result can be related to financial performances of the recipient of credit funds. In this study, we propose a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the relationship between technology evaluation factors and the financial performances by developing financial performance index (FPI). It is expected for the proposed model, which will be evaluated for the technology evaluation of enterprises, to be applied not only for the effective management of the technology credit funds for SMEs, but also will be used to evaluate financial performance of SMEs.     

A strategic analysis for successful open source software utilization based on a structural equation model

Commercial software companies face many challenges when competing in today’s fast moving and competitive industry environment. Recently, the use of open source software (OSS) has been proposed as a possible way to address those challenges. OSS provides many benefits, including high-quality software and substantial profits. Nevertheless, OSS has not been effectively utilized in real business. The purpose of this paper is to find what affects the utilization of OSS. For this study, we propose a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the relationships between the quality factors based on ISO/IEC 9126 and OSS utilization. In addition, we suggest an open source software utilization index (OSSUI) based on the proposed SEM. The results provide us with the controllable feedback information to improve user (programmer) satisfaction during OSS utilization.