The Impact of PLS-SEM Training on Faculty Staff Intention to Use PLS Software in a public university in Ghana

Abstract

The paper empirically assesses the impact of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) training on academic staff’s intentions to adopt PLS-SEM software in their future research work. Our original contribution to knowledge is the application of the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) to study faculty intention to adopt SEM data analysis software in an under-researched context of developing country Higher Institution of Learning (HIL). Building upon the TAM, we developed a research model that conceptualises PLS-SEM training as an external variable that affects the technology adoption process. The research model was tested using data from 34 faculty members who fully participated in a PLS-SEM training workshop at the College of Technology Education, Kumasi (COLTEK) of University of Education, Winneba. The data was analysed using SmartPLS 2.0 for PLS-SEM analysis. The findings indicate that PLS-SEM training has a positive impact on faculty members’ intentions to use the PLS-SEM software in future research. Moreover, the findings confirm the applicability and efficacy of the TAM framework that it can predict about 86% of faculty members’ intention to adopt data analysis software. This paper is one of the initial studies into the adoption of SEM data analysis software by the research community in developing countries HIL context. Despite its limitations, the paper offers important theoretical and managerial contributions. It contributes to the literature in the area of adoption of SEM data analysis software in the information systems literature.