Students' intention to use computer technology: a structural equation modelling analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine college students' intention to use computer technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study measured perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude towards computer use (ATCU), and intention to use (ITU). Data collected from 327 college students, attending two institutions of higher learning in the UAE, were utilised to validate the technology acceptance model (TAM) questionnaire and to investigate the hypothesised relationships. Results from the structural equation modelling analyses suggested that PEU was a strong predictor of PU and ATCU and ATCU and PU were moderate predictors of ITU. The results of the study found a good model fit and empirical support for four of five hypotheses. PU was not found significantly associated with ATCU. The multi-group analysis indicated that the relations of attitudes toward computer use to ITU computer was statistically significant for males only; however, the association between PU and ITU computer was statistically significant for only females. The results of the study provide empirical support that gender is a significant variable in the TAM.