Title: Extended UTAUT model to understand the role of computer anxiety and work-life quality in faculty adoption of online learning in higher education institutes

Authors: Vishnu Lal; G. Varaprasad

Addresses: Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bengaluru Campus, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, India

Abstract: This research aims to enhance the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) framework to better comprehend the adoption of e-learning platforms by faculties in a developing country. The constructs for the UTAUT model were chosen based on the e-learning context and expanded with the variables work-life quality and computer anxiety. The proposed model was tested with data gathered from faculty members of higher education institutions. The hypotheses testing and adequacy of the proposed model were evaluated through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS 3.2.8. The study's results show that ten out of the fourteen hypothesised paths significantly impacted faculty acceptance of e-learning platforms, and a total of seven significant factors explained a variance of 59.7% of the dependent variable behavioural intention. The study adds an expanded UTAUT framework to adoption theories, discusses how work-life quality and computer anxiety influence the original variables and highlights their practical implications.

Keywords: adoption theory; education industry; services marketing; massive online open courses; MOOCs; SmartPLS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2026.152592

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2026 Vol.53 No.3, pp.290 - 312

Received: 25 Jun 2023
Accepted: 22 Nov 2023
Published online: 30 Mar 2026 *

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