Critical Factors of the Adoption of e-Textbooks: A Comparison Between Experienced and Inexperienced Users

Authors

  • Wei-Hsi Hung National Chengchi University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8480-8079
  • Pei-Hsuan Hsieh National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, R.O.C
  • Yao-De Huang National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v19i4.3854

Keywords:

e-textbooks, technology acceptance, perceived task-technology fit, higher education, perceived cost

Abstract

The use of e-textbooks has become popular in certain countries, yet there is debate in the literature about whether it is advantageous to adopt e-textbooks and if they positively influence students’ learning and performance. Prior studies on the acceptance of e-textbooks were mainly based on one theoretical perspective, and did not differentiate samples between experienced and inexperienced users. From a social- and task-related view, this study aims to identify the critical factors that stimulate acceptance intentions of e-textbooks among tertiary students, particularly between experienced and inexperienced users. Based on 912 questionnaires, this study found that performance expectancy, perceived enjoyment, and perceived task-technology fit are the factors affecting students’ behavioral intention for acceptance in both sampling groups. However, social impact only has significant influence on acceptance intention of inexperienced users. Also, gender has a moderating effect on the relationship of performance expectancy and behavioral intention of inexperienced users only. This study provides useful implications for marketing e-textbooks, and fills the literature gap.

Author Biography

Wei-Hsi Hung, National Chengchi University

Associate Professor

Department of Management Information Systems

Published

2018-09-26

How to Cite

Hung, W.-H., Hsieh, P.-H., & Huang, Y.-D. (2018). Critical Factors of the Adoption of e-Textbooks: A Comparison Between Experienced and Inexperienced Users. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 19(4). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v19i4.3854

Issue

Section

Research Articles

Publication Facts

Metric
This article
Other articles
Peer reviewers 
2
2.4

Reviewer profiles  N/A

Author statements

Author statements
This article
Other articles
Data availability 
N/A
16%
External funding 
No
32%
Competing interests 
N/A
11%
Metric
This journal
Other journals
Articles accepted 
86%
33%
Days to publication 
189
145

Indexed in

Editor & editorial board
profiles
Academic society 
N/A
Publisher 
Athabasca University Press