Search

Virtual reality (VR) training offers the capability to industrial workers to acquire skills and address complex tasks by immersing them in a safe and controlled virtual environment. Immersive VR (IVR) training is adopted in many diverse settings, yet little systematic work currently exists on how researchers have applied it for industrial skills training and if it holds the potential to be applied remotely. In this review, 78 representative studies were analysed to answer three key questions: Is IVR an effective training method for industrial skills training? How is research in this field applied? And how can we make IVR training more effective and applicable for remote training? We can testify that IVR is a promising training method with high effectiveness scores. However, our analysis has uncovered several gaps in the application of IVR training, like the lack of learning theories in the design process and limited metrics beyond time and scores. Additionally, our review also exposed unexplored but intriguing avenues of research, like the utilisation of biosensors for users' data collection, haptics that increases realism and applications with remote training potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facebook community leaders play a significant role in creating and maintaining social environments, and they characteristically exhibit several qualities and skills, such as the ability to generate involvement in the groups. However, their identities and motivations have yet to be investigated in depth. Using the theoretical framework of the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), this paper addresses this gap by exploring the motivations of leaders to lead a Facebook online group. Leaders of online parents groups were surveyed for this study. A survey was administered electronically to 160 Facebook community leaders to gather data on the relationship between the community leaders' motivation and the following variables: personality traits (narcissism, altruism, grit), sense of community (immersion, sense of belonging, influence), management features, and demographics. A hierarchical regression indicates that higher narcissism, self-control, immersion, and lower consistency of interest (grit factor) can explain Facebook community leaders' motivations to lead online groups of parents. The results are discussed in the context of the leaders' influential role in social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to ensure good user experience of IT systems is to conduct user centred evaluation, aimed to provide feedback to IT professionals on their IT systems from the user perspective. The objective of this paper is to explore a conceptual framework, named RAMES that supports evaluators when planning, comparing and documenting user centred evaluations in a structured way. The framework structures the elements of an evaluation into five categories: Roles, Activities, Materials, Environments, and System. The framework was developed based on a theoretical analysis. Two explorative studies with 92 participants in total show that two thirds of the participants found it easy or rather easy to use the framework, and 33% find it likely that they would use the framework again. The conclusion of the studies is that frameworks such as RAMES enhance the implementation of user centred evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software developers use various methods to evaluate usability and identify usability issues that exist in systems they develop. Cognitive dimensions framework (CDF) based usability evaluation is one of the popular usability evaluation methods. It uses an open-ended questionnaire to collect qualitative feedback from users after using a system. To identify usability issues, evaluators should analyse this qualitative feedback. However, the approach to follow when performing this analysis is not explored in detail. We conducted a systematic literature review and reviewed 70 studies that used various CDF questionnaires for usability evaluations and investigated how those studies have analysed CDF questionnaire responses to identify usability issues. This revealed five methods that previous research has used for data analysis and four methods for identifying usability issues from CDF questionnaire responses. We applied the results of the literature review to develop a methodology and a set of guidelines to analyse qualitative feedback collected via a CDF questionnaire that targets evaluating security application programming interfaces. We tested the developed guidelines by conducting an empirical investigation. The results of the experiment revealed that using the proposed guidelines helps to identify significantly more usability issues with a higher validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the different insider employee-led cyber frauds (IECF) based on the recent large-scale fraud events of prominent Indian banking institutions. Examining the different types of fraud and appropriate control measures will protect the banking industry from fraudsters. In this study, we identify and classify Cyber Fraud (CF), map the severity of the fraud on a scale of priority, test the mitigation effectiveness, and propose optimal mitigation measures. The identification and classification of CF losses were based on a literature review and focus group discussions with risk and vigilance officers and cyber cell experts. The CF was analyzed using secondary data. We predicted and prioritized CF based on machine learning-derived Random Forest (RF). An efficient fraud mitigation model was developed based on an offender-victim-centric approach. Mitigation is advised both before and after fraud occurs. Through the findings of this research, banks and fraud investigators can prevent CF by detecting it quickly and controlling it on time. This study proposes a structured, sustainable CF mitigation plan that protects banks, employees, regulators, customers, and the economy, thus saving time, resources, and money. Further, these mitigation measures will improve the reputation of the Indian banking industry and ensure its survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of information security behavioural intention (ISBI) can be complex and dynamic in different contexts. This paper aims to examine and compare different users' ISBI formalisation mechanisms when dealing with their personal affairs (non-work users) and organisational affairs (work users). Drawing on two principles of Conservation of Resources (COR) theory (i.e. resource loss principle, and resource gain principle), we developed two models to examine how situational support affects ISBI formation. The results of a study of 432 non-worker users and 261 work users indicate a curvilinear relationship between situational support and ISBI through subjective norms and risk perception for non-worker users, whilst a linear relationship via subjective norms is found for worker users. This is the first time that COR has been applied to explain the formation of ISBI. The findings broaden the research scope of individuals' ISBI by revealing how situational support affects the formalisation mechanism for different users in cross-contexts. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings and the future study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is a growing body of literature on information privacy suggesting different mechanisms of how people's privacy concerns might be impacting their attitudes and behaviour when using social media, recent questionable data use practices by social media platforms and third parties call for a renewed validation of existing information privacy models. The objective of this research is to re-examine the variables predicting why people disclose information on social media. Building on previous work, this paper puts forward a comprehensive Privacy Concerns and Social Media Use Model (PC-SMU) and evaluates it in a specific cultural and legal environment (social media users from a single county, Canada). The study delves into the privacy paradox and shows that the benefits of using social media are the main driver of self-disclosure, and that self-disclosing behaviours are nuanced by the users' information privacy protection strategies. We also find that higher levels of social media literacy, and concerns about organisational threats to a lesser extent, lead to higher levels of information privacy management, emphasizing the importance of educating users about how to use the different privacy and security features provided by social media platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increased popularity of mobile learning, there is a growing demand on the understanding of how the scalable technology, such as mobile devices, influences individual learning behaviours as well as their learning outcome. A theoretical model was built based on the adaptive structuration theory (AST) and the knowledge spiral theory. Using this model, we examined the relationship between structural sources, individuals' adaptive structural behaviours, and their perceived learning. A Structural Equation Modeling method was employed in our empirical study. Findings indicate that users' task adaptation had a positive influence on their perceived learning, In addition, their exploitive technology adaptation influenced the ultimate perceived learning, but the impact of users' exploratory technology adaptation on learning was mediated by their task adaptation. Contrary to expectations, the effect of computer self-efficacy on exploitive and exploratory technology adaptation was negative, and exploratory technology adaptation negatively affected exploitive task adaptation. A detailed discussion of the findings and implications are provided in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While personal cloud storage services are popular, providers experience difficulty retaining users. Two explanations of user continuance intention, being use continuance theory and trust-commitment theory, emerge from prior literature. However, there is no unifying theoretical lens to reconcile these two explanations. We use a cognitive social capital explanation to unify these two literature streams. We apply our research model to 237 cloud storage users. We find that the cognitive social capital lens significantly predicts both use continuance intention and trust-commitment in personal cloud storage services. Implications for cloud service providers are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the development of customer relationship management (CRM) started in the developed west, it has rapidly spread to developing countries. However, the way organisations adopt CRM in developing countries, and more specifically in the Arab world, might be different and the context certainly differs. There is a shortage of rigorous studies that examine the drivers of CRM adoption in this context. In this study, we examine the antecedents of CRM adoption in the Jordanian service sector. The conceptual framework of this research is tested using a crosssectional survey of more than 322 practitioners. Using structural equation modelling analysis, results specify six underlying factors that explain CRM adoption: segmentation analysis, clear direction and objectives, performance measurement, rewarding usage, managing project changes, and knowledge management. Each area has implications for improving practices and maximising the benefits of adopting the process or management practice of CRM. This paper identifies key practices to provide useful guidelines for organisations in the Arab world making plans to adopt CRM, with broader implications for the adoption of many systems and projects there and for CRM deployment in developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, online shopping has been proliferated around the world. Online retailers’ reputation and purchase intentions are critical for survival and profitability of any online store. Thus, this study proposes a research framework to examine the perceived justice effects on customers purchase intention and online retailers’ reputation. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the measurement model, and the structural equation modelling technique was used to test the research model. The hypothesised model was validated empirically using data collected from 383 online shopping customers in China. The results indicated that perceived procedural, distributive and interactional justice components were strong predictors of customers purchase intention and online retailers’ reputation while online retailers’ reputation had significant effects on purchase intentions. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications are also presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Facebook is becoming increasingly important for the socio-economic development of countries across the globe as stakeholders engage in online social interaction and expand their reach for new products, services and markets to open up new revenue streams. Past studies have examined the environment that supports effective use of social networking technologies in the developed world. This study argues that the enabling environment in developed and developing countries may vary and therefore may impact Facebook adoption and its socio-economic benefits differently. The model integrates theUnified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology(UTAUT) and revised UTAUT. Using a structured questionnaire on a sample of 367 Facebook users, the results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions (affordability and regulatory environment) are important factors that impact Facebook adoption in a developing country such as Malaysia. The study contributes to the literature by identifying that Facebook user's perceived socio-economic benefits act as a mediator between adoption and actual use behaviour (information seeking, socialisation, entertainment and business development). The findings also indicate that religion, ethnicity, language, gender and education are significant factors moderating the adoption-perception-use behaviour of Facebook. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Despite the opportunities the health sector will offer as a result of the design and development of a technology infrastructure, the fact is that hospitals have been slow to adopt telemedicine technologies, largely because very few organisations are prepared to face this challenge. A possible explanation for the efficiency and effectiveness gaps of services provided by Hospital-in-the-Home Units (HHUs) may relate to the advantages and disadvantages of the knowledge processes that these units exhibit as a result of their different structural properties. This paper investigates the approaches that HHUs have used to update the knowledge of physicians and their members' knowledge of technology, and relates them to an unlearning context (UC) and improvement in the quality of health services. These relationships are examined through an empirical investigation of 55 doctors and 62 nurses belonging to 44 HHUs. The research findings suggest that the key benefits of a UC in HHUs are clear. It enables them to identify and replace poor practices and also avoids the reinvention of the wheel; it enables cost reduction by minimising unnecessary work caused by the use of poor methods and it enables improvements adopting new telemedicine technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With technology being ubiquitous in our daily lives, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence their perceived credibility. In the current research, we focus on the design of Academic Social Networking Sites (ASNSs). In order to facilitate continuous adoption and use of ASNSs, it is important to understand the factors that determine their Perceived Credibility. Using the Persuasive System Design (PSD) framework as a foundation, the study investigated which of these four key constructs (i.e. Perceived Aesthetics, Perceived Usability, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Primary Task Support) are the most relevant determinants of the Perceived Credibility of ASNSs. In an online survey, the current research assessed this research model. The results of Partial Least Square analyses confirmed that Perceived Aesthetics, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Primary Task Support are determinants of Perceived Credibility but provided no evidence for Perceived Usability as a determinant. Moreover, the results showed that Perceived Primary Task Support was the most relevant determinant of Perceived Credibility. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Users rely heavily on mobile phones as multi-purpose devices to support all kinds of tasks. This study conceptualises mobile phone deep structure use and aims at unveiling such behaviour. Towards this end, this study goes beyond the traditional technology usage theories based on rationality and instrumentality. It is replaced by a relationship-based theory, the attachment theory, to investigate how users' attachment to mobile phones is formed and how such attachment influences mobile phone deep structure use. A survey approach was adopted to test the research model empirically. The results showed that mobile functional dependence and mobile identity constituted the two dimensions of mobile attachment, which significantly affected mobile phone deep structure use. Mobile functional dependence was formed based on the two enabling factors (perceived functional flexibility and perceived mobility). Mobile identity was formed based on the two enriching factors (self-expressive symbolism and categorical symbolism). Both mobile functional dependence and mobile identity were influenced by the gratifying factor, design aesthetics. This study has made contribution to the literature of mobile phone usage by clarifying the special characteristics of mobile phone usage context, proposing a new theoretical perspective and constructing a nomological network of the mobile attachment construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saudi universities have suspended the traditional face-to-face classes and moved to online learning to ensure the continuation of the educational process during the COVID-19 pandemic. The speed at which the move to online learning has happened was unprecedented and staggering. Academics, had to improvise and try different e-learning solutions in less-than-ideal circumstances. No matter how powerful and easy-to-use e-learning solutions might be, many academics understandably found the transition to e-learning stressful. This research project looks at the transition experience to online learning from the viewpoint of academics in Saudi universities. It investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the adoption of e-learning solutions and how this forced experience would affect the long-term adoption of e-learning solutions. The study employed an online survey administered to academics from all the 24 public universities. The results were quantitatively analysed by using structural equation modelling (SEM). It was found that attitudes toward e-learning, self-efficacy and perceived reliability have significant positive effects on behavioural intention to adopt e-learning. It was also found that COVID-19 has positively affected the long-term adoption of e-learning. Therefore, it is recommended that universities take immediate actions and capitalise on the e-learning experience that academics have gained during COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to evaluate the level of accessibility knowledge by student website and app (WEB&APP) developers as well as the role of education in their perceptions and usage of accessibility guidelines. It proposes an integrative theoretical framework to understand the relationship among education, WEB&APP developer knowledge, and guideline usage. The present work with results of a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and an interview data analysis indicates that WEB&APP students have a low level of guideline familiarity and education plays an important role in their perceptions and usage of those guidelines. It emphasises the importance of accessibility guideline education, personal connection with people who have disabilities in the education process, need for empathy in accessible WEB&APP design and development, as well as business values of accessible WEB&APP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence of Internet technology, Internet ethics has become an important issue for academics and practitioners. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence students' behavioural intention to perform an Internet ethical behaviour based on an integrated perspective of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), Big-Five personality traits, and Internet ethics education. This study empirically examines the research model using a cross-sectional survey study, collecting data from a sample of 276 students, and using partial least squares (PLS) for the analysis. The results show that intention of performing Internet ethical behaviours is influenced by attitude toward ethical behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Moreover, personality trait agreeableness is positively related to attitude toward ethical behaviour and subjective norms. Conscientiousness and openness are positively correlated with attitude toward ethical behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Finally, the existence of an Internet ethics curriculum significantly strengthened the positive relationship between attitude toward ethical behaviour and intention of performing Internet ethical behaviours. The findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between students' Internet ethical behaviour and Internet ethics education. The results also provide several important theoretical and practical implications for Internet ethics education within the university education context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online reviews have become one of the most influential persuasive messages concerning decisions making. Researchers have explored different aspects of online reviews and the characteristics of reviewers using various methods; however, few studies have focused on consumers who do not post online reviews after purchasing, resulting in a gap in the research. This study aims to identify consumers' characteristics and analyze the importance of consumers in different online review scenarios. We employed a fusion analysis framework, which used machine learning to determine the value of different types of consumers; in addition, we quantitatively estimate the relationship between variables and consumer types using econometrics modelling. This research used real consumer data from three data resources, solving problems related to the use of limited questionnaire datasets and single-source data. Through rigorous analysis, we demonstrate that lurkers are more valuable than posters because they can be easily served and create more profit; thus, researchers should consider those who do not post online reviews rather than focusing only on the influence of online reviews and posters. Our findings also provide managerial implications for precision marketing by indicating that e-marketers should employ various marketing strategies and pay attention to different types of consumers, especially lurkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in smartwatch technology have led to several applications in continuous fitness and health monitoring. Considering the benefits of smartwatches, their low level of usage for fitness and health monitoring purposes, and the limited understanding of determinants of their usage, this study advances the body of knowledge by developing an innovative and comprehensive research model that integrates the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with perceived vulnerability and perceived severity as moderators. The model was tested using partial least squares (PLS), in a quantitative study with data from 271 respondents from Malaysia. The results showed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and hedonic motivation have positive impacts on behavioural intentions towards using smartwatches for health and fitness monitoring. Perceived vulnerability moderates positively the impacts of effort expectancy. Perceived abstract severity moderates positively the impacts of social influence and negatively the influence of hedonic motivation. The findings provide useful insights for smartwatch technology developers, marketers and managers in developing more effective devices and strategies and consequently promoting smartwatches as health monitoring devices. These outcomes extend the UTAUT2 and provide new insights into drivers of the use of smartwatches for fitness and health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the multiple mediation of loneliness and anxiety in the relationship between adolescents' duration of daily smartphone usage and their nomophobia levels, based on social cognitive theory. The data were collected from 274 adolescent smartphone users and analysed through ordinary least-squares regression analysis and bootstrap methods, as well as descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation. The findings primarily indicated that there is a significant correlation between the duration of daily smartphone usage, loneliness, anxiety, and nomophobia. Additionally, both the single and multiple mediation effects of loneliness and anxiety in the relationship between duration of daily smartphone usage and nomophobia are significant. The findings further indicated that the single mediation effect of anxiety is more powerful compared with other models in which the pair of loneliness and anxiety, and loneliness as a single variable, significantly mediated the relationship. Based on our findings, it was concluded, as consistent with the relevant literature, that as adolescents' daily smartphone usage increases, they feel more lonely and anxious, and consequently demonstrate more nomophobic behaviours. The current study contributed to the relevant literature by modelling the relationships among duration of daily smartphone usage, loneliness, anxiety, and nomophobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While some cities attempt to determine their residents' demand for smart-city technologies, others simply move forward with smart-related strategies and projects. This study is among the first to empirically determine which factors most affect residents' and public servants' intention to use smart-city services. A Smart Cities Stakeholders Adoption Model (SSA), based on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), is developed and tested on a mid-size U.S. city as a case study. A questionnaire was administered in order to determine the influence of seven factors – effort expectancy, self-efficacy, perceived privacy, perceived security, trust in technology, price value and trust in government – on behaviour intention, specifically the decision to adopt smart-city technologies. Results show that each of these factors significantly influenced citizen intention to use smart-city services. They also reveal perceived security and perceived privacy to be strong determinants of trust in technology, and price value a determinant of trust in government. In turn, both types of trust are shown to increase user intention to both adopt and use smart-city services. These findings offer city officials an approach to gauging residential intention to use smart-city services, as well as identify those factors critical to developing a successful smart-city strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of mobile technology provides not only myriads of opportunities to support teaching and learning, but also challenges or even stress to the mobile device users in higher education. On the basis of the Person-Technology fit model (P-T fit model), this study developed a theoretical framework to investigate the double-edged effect of students' academic usage of mobile devices. Specifically, we compared the positive effect (boost academic performance) with the negative effect (bring technostress) of mobile device usage among university students. We further investigated the moderating role of mobile technology self-efficacy toward technostress. Data were collected among 208 university students. Results corroborated that students' academic usage of mobile devices does not lead to technostress; however, it helps in enhancing academic performance. Moreover, students' individual differences, e.g. mobile technology self-efficacy and extent of usage significantly influence the technostress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, information system, and mobile technologies, some companies (e.g. airlines) consider fully replacing service employees with self-service technologies (SSTs) to cut down costs and to increase efficiency. However, replacing full services with SSTs sometimes fail to deliver the benefits companies have hoped for: users may feel that they are being forced to use SSTs and show resistance to the new technologies. To investigate why users show resistance, we draw inferences from psychological reactance theory and argue that users may perceive the forced adoption as a threat, which leads to resistance of SSTs. A conceptual model was developed and an empirical study was conducted. The results show that, under a forced situation, users are likely to perceive the forced adoption as a threat to their freedom, causing them to have negative emotions and perceptions towards the SSTs, and, in turn, their adoption intention decreases and switch intention increases. The findings provide insights on why users show resistance to SSTs and highlight the impacts of the motivational state of psychological reactance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of quality in Higher Education is multidimensional. Higher Education administration, programs, procedures and evaluation provide the context for the application and diffusion of quality metrics. Our research intends to provide a holistic discussion on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to quality in Higher Education. The analysis of recent literature resulted in the construction of two research tools. The first one is related to a structured agenda for a qualitative interview targeted at Higher Education administrators. The second is related to a quantitative research model that analyses the relations of various quality factors. We provide a mapping of quality perceptions as discussed in previous work and we construct a theoretical model for the affordances of scholars to this perception. The research design includes interviews with academic administrators and teaching staff involved in the creation of academic programmes and courses. The main contribution is an analytic discussion of their perceptions about quality that updates significantly contemporary literature in interesting dimensions. Three-dimensional value space with twenty factors is presented. The outcomes of this research work are used as input for our quantitative study. In fact, a list of 20 quality factors is exploited in three main dimensions of learning analytics namely: content, process and engagement. Key Performance Indicators are highlighted for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the development of collaborative skills through nine tools for information and communication technologies (ICT)-supported pedagogical practices, which are used in online universities. Using survey data for 930 online students at the Open University of Catalonia and partial least squares path modelling estimation techniques, three main findings emerged from the study. First, collaborative skills are directly explained by gamification and the use of mixed reality and social media in a socio-technical online learning context. Second, other tools for ICT-supported pedagogical practices (media content, wikis, open educational resources, personal webpages, personal cloud, and sharing files with fellow students and lecturers on the cloud) are not significant on collaborative skills development, when compared to use of games, mixed reality, and social media. Third, the analysis of indirect effects suggests that all four socio-technical factors (ICT, learning tasks, students, and organisation) existing in online university play a decisive, positive and significant role in collaborative skills development. Finally, these results are shown in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM studies. Thus, gamification, mixed reality, and sharing files are significant ICT-supported pedagogical practices in STEM studies. On the other hand, gamification is the only significant tool in non-STEM studies. Results are very useful for new approaches to design a framework for learning-team effectiveness in computer-supported collaborative learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which caregivers can be used to provide proxy responses for dementia clients in a study on the acceptance of GPS technology. Methods: Forty-five client-caregiver dyads used one of three GPS devices. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used to create two questionnaires, one for dementia clients and one for caregivers, as proxies. Spearman rho bivariate correlations of responses for each UTAUT construct were used to compare the client and caregiver responses post-usage of the GPS devices. Results: The mean age of the clients was 76.02 years (SD = 11.5). Overall, after using the GPS devices, the responses of the clients and caregivers were correlated and statistically significant (rxy Overall summative scale = 0.550). In addition, 4 out of 6 constructs of the UTAUT were correlated and statistically significant (p < 0.05) (rxy Performance Expectancy = 0.160; rxy Social Influence = 0.478; rxy Behavioural Intention to Use = 0.347; and rxy Actual Use = 0.570). Conclusion: The degree of agreement between the caregivers and clients, especially for the constructs intention to use and actual use of the GPS technology, suggested that caregivers can respond on behalf of dementia clients on technology acceptance questionnaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With remarkable growth of ICT development and the Internet popularity, the widespread use of the electronic service is becoming inevitable. Furthermore, as the user adoption plays an important role for successful and effective implementation of any project, thus, there is a need to assess user acceptance of the e-service technology. This research developed the E-Service Technology Acceptance Model (ETAM) to assess the user acceptance of e-service technology. According to the literature review in the field of e-service technology and acceptance theories, this study identified the main factors influencing the acceptance of e-services, namely satisfaction, security and quality and then, dimensions of these factors were extracted from the previous studies. In order to categorise the dimensions, an exploratory survey was developed and conducted among the university students and then, the exploratory factor analysis was applied. Afterwards, a confirmatory survey was designed and conducted among the 427 Malaysians and tested in terms of validity (content and construct) and reliability and then used to evaluate the ETAM. Finally, the structural equation modelling was applied to validate the casual relations and to assess the goodness-of-fit. The results of this study revealed that quality, security and satisfaction significantly influenced the intention to use an e-service and consequently the acceptance of e-service technology. The ETAM can help evaluate and predict how users will respond to an e-service before starting the development of any e-service project. Additionally, ETAM can be used as a foundation for e-service providers to develop strategies to encourage people to use e-services and increase the usage and acceptance rate of e-services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presence describes the feeling of reality and immersion that users of virtual/Internet environments have. Importantly, it has been suggested that there are individual and contextual differences regarding susceptibility to presence. These aspects of presence have been linked to both beneficial and disadvantageous uses of the Internet, such as online therapeutic applications and addictive Internet behaviours. In the present study, presence was studied in relation to individual anxiety symptoms and classroom-level openness to experience (OTE) using a normative sample of 648 adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years. Presence was assessed with the Presence II questionnaire, anxiety symptoms with the relevant subscales of the SCL-90-R, and OTE with the Five-Factor Questionnaire. A three-level hierarchical linear model was calculated. Results showed that experiencing presence in virtual environments dropped between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Additionally, although anxiety symptoms were associated with higher presence at 16 years, this association decreased with age. Results also demonstrated that adolescents in classrooms higher on OTE reported reduced level of experiencing presence. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Firm-hosted online communities are user-centred, and their efficacy depends on the users’ sustained participation. This study investigated the impact of social capital on users’ continued usage intention. Specifically, since very little work has been done to explore the antecedents of social capital, we tested the role of operator-related and individual-related factors in cultivating social capital by proposing an integrated research model to fill this gap. Furthermore, to gain deeper insights into continuance intention, we postulate that active degree moderates the relationship between social capital and users’ continued usage intention. Our model is empirically examined using survey data collected from 373 members of a well-known firm-hosted online community in China. The results reveal that the firm’s reaction, offline activities, interaction support, seeking reputation and perceived enjoyment are the significant antecedents of social capital. Additionally, social tie and shared vision exert a stronger effect on continued usage intention for active users, whereas identification has a higher influence on continued usage intention for inactive users. Finally, this study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and provides possible directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformation of learning and teaching in higher education now offers greater educational equality through enhanced access and collaboration within the framework of lifelong learning in the digital age. This study aims to evaluate online peer learning and assessment in the collaborative learning process in higher education practices. The study also investigates the impact of online peer learning on the development of skills within collaborative learning through the use of volunteered responses from learners concerning their experiences with and perceptions of online learning. Therefore, a quantitative approach is applied through the administration of a survey with 32 items that is distributed to 715 participants. According to the objective of the study, a set of inferential statistical analyses are performed. The theoretical framework of this study is the CHAT (cultural historical activity theory) which reconstructs the knowledge of learners through the application of the Adobe Connect program to demonstrate how learners can be collaborative and social with their peers in an online context. The results revealed that the collaborative online peer learning process in higher education encourages critical reflection and self-assessment. The study contributes to the understanding of the value of learner satisfaction in online collaborative learning environments through the experiences of learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies in an e-commerce context suggest that there are biological differences (i.e. whether one is a man or a woman) with respect to perceptions of websites. In other research, there is evidence that psychological gender (i.e. values such as masculinity or femininity) likewise influences website perceptions. It is the aim of the current investigation to explore the possibility that both biological sex and psychological gender influence user perceptions, and to examine the predictive power of each on our model. To test these assumptions, we use an augmented technology acceptance model (TAM). To maximise variance in our sample, participants are selected from two countries that are significantly different in masculinity–femininity. As expected, psychological gender better predicted trust and TAM than biological sex. Moreover, this study validates that the masculinity–femininity dimension as originally developed by Hofstede [1980.Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage] can be separated into two scales – one each for masculinity and femininity. The results suggest the need for additional research into the differentiation between psychological gender and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As users have flocked to social network sites (SNSs), these sites have gained tremendous scale and concomitant social influence. This growth has come at the cost of social disruption caused by the posting of abusive comments and rumours that turn out to be false. To combat these negative phenomena, this study proposes SNS citizenship behaviour and examines it from the perspective of social capital theory. This study further examines how the key characteristics of SNS in terms of the concept of customer value affect social capital development in an SNS context. The test results explain that the structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions of social capital have significant direct and indirect effects on the SNS citizenship behaviour. These findings also explain that four key characteristics (exploration, communication support, playfulness, and responsiveness) of SNS affect the three dimensions of social capital. This study contributes to the literature in its establishment of the concept of SNS citizenship behaviour and examines it from the social capital theory perspective. Its findings have practical implications through its guidance on how to develop SNS features and manage these sites for the citizenship behaviour of their users, which are achievements for the harmonious and effective functioning of SNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The information quality (IQ) literature has investigated the influences of objective factors on the perceptions of IQ dimensions. We seek to contribute to this literature by taking a subjective approach. We investigate the effects of satisfaction and complexity on the perception of IQ dimensions. We find both main effects and interaction effects. The main line of reasoning builds on commodity theory as a psychological explanation of the effects of scarcity. Based on this finding, we suggest a feedback loop model, which integrates the research on IQ into the information systems (IS) success literature. We discuss the potential implications of these findings in relation to IS success research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aims to investigate users’ knowledge-sharing intention and collective stickiness intention towards social network sites (SNS). SNS offer an opportunity for users to interact and form relationships, while knowledge is accrued by integrating users’ information, experience, and practice. However, there have been few systematic studies that question why people use SNS to share knowledge. We adopt social capital theory, social identity theory, as well as use and gratification theory, to explore the determinants of members’ knowledge-sharing intention in using SNS. The survey was conducted on two education virtual communities (VCs) on Facebook, of which most members were teachers and educators. Data analysis was executed to validate our research model, and SmartPLS was used to analyse users’ collective stickiness intention. The results show that social capital and social identity have an impact on teachers’ knowledge-sharing intention, which, in turn, influences collective stickiness intention towards SNS. Our findings can not only help researchers interpret why members share their knowledge in VCs, but can assist practitioners in developing better SNS strategies as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research describes and analyses the use made by young Spanish people of Tuenti, Facebook, Twitter and Myspace, exploring several variables: level of functional knowledge; frequency of use; place of use; reason for use; purpose and main activity; recipients of communication; degree of difficulty, satisfaction and preference; and intentions regarding future use. We designed and administered an online questionnaire to 757 students enrolled in secondary education (7th–11th levels and Vocational Education and Training) at seven educational centres. The results show that young Spanish people know about and use social networks on a daily basis. Tuenti was the one used with most frequency, followed by Facebook and Twitter. Myspace was the least known and used. Female subjects had a greater functional knowledge of these networks and reported a higher regular use of them. Participants used the social networks in their homes and preferred Tuenti because it is easy to use, allows them to communicate with friends and classmates and provides them with acceptable satisfaction as regards their need for prestige, acceptance and approval through the creation and maintenance of groups of friends and the publication of their achievements and self-realisations. The implications of the results obtained for psychological and social development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

E-parliament has gone global but the national culture may affect the adoption behaviour of legislators and citizens to it. Technology adoption literature is limited on the influence of national culture on e-parliament adoption and use. The study assessed the factors of national culture and their influence on adoption of e-parliament by legislators and citizens in Nigeria. The study investigated the correlations between national culture and the attribute of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, performance expectancy in regard to e-parliament adoption. The methods of data collection included a survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews conducted on 346 federal legislators in Nigeria and 5 members of the public, respectively. The results showed that the dimensions of national culture such as masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and Confucian dynamics (‘face saving’) had moderate effects on the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to adopt e-parliaments by legislators and members of the public in Nigeria. The other dimensions of culture and cultural contexts such as individualism, power distance, cultural diversity, multiculturality, power (in the context of culture), hermeneutics and dialogue had no significant effect on performance expectancy of e-parliament adoption in the context of Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed-method research focuses on the growing appropriation of multiple screen devices for audiovisual media consumption. Based on survey measures, we distinguish three patterns: (a) maintaining the status quo, by mainly drawing upon television, (b) broadening up the repertoire, by extending television with computers and mobile devices, or (c) even replacing television by a computer. Next, we draw upon insights from niche theory, rationalising media choices in terms of competing gratifications. This perspective is however too one-sided, as our results indicate that habit is a much stronger explanatory variable, especially when a broad range of devices are appropriated. In a follow-up qualitative study, based on Q-methodology, we found that the orientations towards what people seek in audiovisual technologies are only mildly contingent with specific technology appropriation. This problematises the very substance of niches in the audiovisual: as technologies are capable of the same benefits, their discriminating power is declining. Hence, in future applications of niche theory, gratifications and habits of communication modes (what people do with media technologies) should be taken into account, rather than media as tied to a specific technology. Niche theory's core remains, but its applications should be updated to theoretical insights matching the evolving media environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we focus on two sets of expected negative consequences of engaging in digital piracy among the seldom studied adult computer users rather than student population. We delve into the role of perceived risk and moral intensity as drivers of consumers’ attitudes and behavioural intentions, and explore the rarely examined moderating effect of issue involvement on the relationship between the attitude and intention to pirate. The dominant attitude–behaviour theory is extended with an ethical decision-making theoretical perspective. The hypotheses are tested via mail survey data from a random sample of adult consumers using structural equations modelling. The results of this cross-sectional study show unfailing support for the relationships proposed in our model. Our findings suggest that, in addition to perceived risk, moral intensity (i.e. the expected consequences for others), has a particularly strong total effect on the intention to pirate, and that consumer involvement in illegally downloading files is a salient factor moderating the relationship between attitudes and behavioural intentions. Based on this pattern of results, we offer theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]