Purpose:
In recent years, universities have increasingly provided access to information resources in digital form, which offers remote, fast and flexible access with good quality search facilities (Thong et al., 2002). However, despite the significant investment in digital access to resources made by university libraries (Hong et al., 2002; Awwad & Al-Majali, 2015), there is evidence that such resources are under-utilised (Awwad and Al-Majali, 2015; Park et al., 2009) and further, that it varies according to user groups (Kim, 2010). In the last fifteen years there has been a growing body of research that examines the factors affecting user acceptance and use of e-libraries and a variety of types of digital libraries, conducted in various countries, including Tiawan, USA, Jordan, Hong Kong, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. This paper’s aim is to analyse a set of prior studies with a view to identifying: the theoretical stances adopted; and, the factors included in research models relating to e-library acceptance and use, as a basis for proposing a research model for a PhD study into the factors affecting the use of e-libraries in Saudi Arabia, by Masters students.
Design, methodology or approach:
The articles to be analysed were identified through a thorough search of prior literature in refereed academic journals in information and computer science on the acceptance and use of e-libraries and digital libraries. Only studies adopting a quantitative approach and providing a research model were included.
Findings:
Previous researchers adopt two distinct, but related theoretical frameworks to understand the acceptance of e-libraries: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Chen, et al., 2016; Park et al., 2009;Thong et al., 2002) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (Al-Gahtani et al., 2007; Awwad & Al-Majali, 2015; Tosuntas et al., 2015) or UTAUT2 (Huang and Kao, 2015).
A typical TAM model has one of ‘intention to use’ (Park et al., 2009; Thong et al., 2002), ‘attitude towards using’ or ‘usage behaviour’ (both in Chen et al., 2016) as the dependent variable. Leading into one or more of these dependent variables are ‘perceived ease of use’ and ‘perceived usefulness’, which in turn have influencing variables that differ between studies. Thong et al. (2002) have three clusters of influencing variables: Interface characteristics (terminology, screen design, navigation), Organizational context (relevance system accessibility, system visibility), and Individual differences (computer self-efficacy, computer experience, domain knowledge). Park et al. (2009) use some of the same variables, but without clustering them (experience in computer use, domain knowledge, visibility, accessibility, relevance), coupled with English literacy, interest in publishing and library assistance. Fang et al. (2016) develop a model that integrates TAM with the IS Success Model (ISSM), introducing variables such as service quality and user satisfaction.
‘Behaviour intention’ and ‘Use Behaviour’ are also the dependent variables in UTUAT. Independent variables are: performance expectancy (related to ‘usefulness’), effort expectancy (related to ‘ease of use’), social influence and facilitating conditions. All of these are included in all of the UTAUT studies reported here. The UTAUT model also incorporates the moderating effect of demographic factors on the relationship between the key factors in the underlying model, including gender, age, experience and voluntariness. Researchers tailor these to their research. For example, Awwad & Al-Majali (2015) use gender, age, experience, education level and academic discipline, whilst Huang and Kao (2015) use habit and price value. Huang and Kao also add ‘hedonic motivation’.
Conclusions:
The proposed research model will be discussed in the paper. This model will be used to design a research study whose objectives are to identify the factors that influence Masters students’ acceptance and usage of e-library services at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, as a basis for formulating recommendations supporting enhanced use of e-library services by Masters students. The two phase mixed methods study will include a survey to profile the situation, and interviews to gather deeper insights.
References:
Al-Gahtani, S.S., Hubona, G.S. & Wang, J. (2007) Information technology (IT) in Saudi Arabia: culture and acceptance and use of IT. Information & Management, 44, 681-691.
Chen, J.-F, Cheng-Wan, J.-F. C., & Huang,K.Y.-M. (2016) Integrating ISSM into TAM to enhance digital library services: a case study of the Taiwan Digital Meta-Library. The Electronic Library, 34 (1), 58-73.
Choi, S. J. N. (2016) Understanding users continuance intention to use online library resources based on an extended expectation-confirmation model. The Electronic Library, 34 (40), 554-571.
Hong, W., Thong, J.Y.L., Wong W.M & Tam, K.Y. (2002) Determinants of user acceptance of digital libraries: an empirical examination of individual differences and systems characteristics. Journal of Management Information Systems, 18 (3), 97-124.
Huang, C.-Y and Kao, Y.-S. (2015) UTAUT2 based predictions of factors influencing the technology acceptance of phablets by DNP. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Article 603747.
Kim, Y.-M. (2010) The adoption of university library website resources: a multi-group analysis. Journal of the American Society and Information Science and Technology, 61 (5), 978-993.
Park, N., Roman, R., Lee, S. & Chung, J.E. (2009) User acceptance of a digital library systems in developing countries: an application of the Technology Acceptance Model. International Journal of Information Management, 29, 196-209.
Sulieman, M, Sawsan, A. & Al-Majali, M. (2015) Electronic library services acceptance and use: an empirical validation of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. The Electronic Library, 33 (6), 1100-1120.
Thong, J.Y.L., Hong, W. & Tam, K.-Y. (2002) Understanding user acceptance of digital libraries: what are the roles of interface characteristics, organizational context and individual differences? International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 57, 215-242.
Tosuntas, S.B., Karadag, E., & Orhan, S. (2015) 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. Computers & Education, 81, 169-178.
Learning , Digital , Services , Performance Indicators
