Sixteenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the factors influencing the acceptance of e-learning technology by using a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model in Saudi Arabia and USA. In this comparative study, we use data from Saudi Arabia and the U.S.A. This study was conducted at Saudi Electronic University in Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia and the University of Phoenix in the USA. A Conceptual Path Model of UTAUT was applied to assess the students’ attitudes towards e-learning in Saudi Arabia and the USA. A total of 382 an online survey was conducted and were answered by 382 students enrolled in Saudi Electronic University in Saudi Arabia and the University of Phoenix in the USA. The results showed that three factors: the students’ performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions in University had significant positive effects on their behavioral intention to use e-learning technology in Saudi Arabia and the USA . The comparison of Saudi Arabia and the U.S.A. reveals that the effects of performance expectancy and facilitating conditions on behavioral intention and the effect of behavioral intention on use behavior are greater in USA than Saudi Arabia. The findings indicated that social influence had a non-significant relation on their behavioral intention to use e-learning technology in USA, while social influence had a significant relation on the students’ behavioral intention to use e-learning technology in Saudi Arabia. The results showed that Gender had significant relationships with Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy and Social Effect.