Title: Understanding the effect of system characteristics on e-learning adoption and usage during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Gopal Krishna G S S; Anup Anurag Soren; Shibashish Chakraborty

Addresses: Department of Marketing, Indian Institute of Management Ranchi, Prabandhan Nagar, Nayasarai Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835303, India ' Department of Marketing, Indian Institute of Management Ranchi, Prabandhan Nagar, Nayasarai Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835303, India ' Department of Marketing, Indian Institute of Management Ranchi, Prabandhan Nagar, Nayasarai Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 835303, India

Abstract: E-learning in higher education and the professional workforce has surged in recent years. However, the influence of system characteristics on adoption factors of e-learning systems has not been extensively studied. This study aims to understand how system characteristics affect user expectancies and e-learning system adoption factors. The study employed the 'unified theory of acceptance and use of technology' (UTAUT2) and included five system characteristic variables to expand the model. The results demonstrated that the characteristics of e-learning systems influenced users' expectancies and highlighted the most crucial system characteristics. It was also exhibited that user expectancies, hedonic motivation, and habit affected users' intention to use e-learning platforms. Findings provide directions for educational institutes and organisations to improve the design and use intention of e-learning systems.

Keywords: e-learning; adoption; behavioural intention; BI; system characteristics; performance expectancy; PE; effort expectancy; EE; course content quality; system functionality; SF; system interactivity; SIT; system response; SR; user interface design; UID.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2025.145990

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2025 Vol.18 No.3, pp.270 - 290

Received: 21 Sep 2023
Accepted: 20 Feb 2024
Published online: 01 May 2025 *

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