Use of UTAUT Model to Assess ICT Adoption in Kenyan Public Universities

Abstract

Despite many years of study and propositions of various models understanding the adoption of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)has been one of the most challenging issues. Uptake of new ICT innovations involves fulfilling many requirements ranging from technical to human. This study used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model as an assessment framework to understand the student’s behavioral intention on acceptance and use of technology. The study was conducted at Moi university which is one the public universities in Kenya. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were administered to 500 students. Staff members who were involved in the management of the targeted information systems were also interviewed.  A total of 414 questionnaires were returned accounting to 82.8% response rate. The reliability yielded Cronbach’s output of 0.8231.  The results indicated that effort expectancy, performance expectancy and social influence factors affect the student’s behavioral intention, which ultimately affects adoption of web based information system. The model explained 78.24% of the variance of the student’s behavioral intention to use web based information systems. Among the moderating factors only course of study had significant effect on intention of adoption of web based information system. Notably, students who were taking ICT related courses such as Information Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics had high adoption rate. The research findings from this study would be useful to institutions of higher learning, policy makers, researchers in the field, students and other stakeholders.

Keywords: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, UTAUT, ICT acceptance, Performance expectancy, Effort expectance, Social influence, Universities, Innovation