Investigating the drivers of mobile learning acceptance among young adults in the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos

Abstract

This study is motivated by the initiative to implement mobile learning to promote world heritage site awareness among young adults living in the world heritage town of Luang Prabang in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Mobile learning is still in its infant stage in Laos. The objective of this study is to investigate the drivers of mobile learning acceptance among young adults in Luang Prabang. Structural equation modeling analysis based on 349 students of higher education indicates that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment directly affected their behavioral intention to use mobile learning. Social influence and self-efficacy indirectly affected mobile learning acceptance through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use respectively. Findings from this study yield insights for policy recommendations for mobile learning implementation in Luang Prabang, and also contribute to the understanding of mobile learning acceptance from the perspectives of a least developed country.

Factors Affecting the Intention to Adopt M-Learning

“…Therefore, H1 and H2 were supported. These findings are consistent with the findings of Chung et al (2015) and Poong et al (2017) who found that self efficacy had a significant positive influence on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Further, system quality had a significant effect on perceived ease of use (ß = 0.269 p = 0.000) and perceived usefulness (ß = 0.285 p = 0.000) of mobile learning, meaning when the information provided and the efficiency of the m-Learning system is high, it will enhance the students" feeling that m-Learning system is useful for their learning and that it is easy to use.…”

“…According to the study on college students" acceptance of mobile learning conducted by Chung, Chen & Kuo (2015), it was found that self-efficacy had a significant influence on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Poong, Yamaguchi & Takada (2017) in their study on drivers of mobile learning acceptance among young adults in Laos also found that self-efficacy had a significant influence on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Based on that, mobile self-efficacy in this research study is hypothesized to have a direct impact on the perceived usefulness and the ease of use.…”

Acceptance of mobile commerce in low-income consumers: evidence from an emerging economy

“…This coincides with the findings by Baptista and Oliveira (2015) , Savita Panwar (2017) , and Sivathanu (2018) , who found that HM has a significant impact on the intention to use m-banking, mobile shopping app, and digital payment systems, and reinforces the claim of authors such as Alalwan et al. (2016) , Morosan and DeFranco (2016) , Poong et al. (2016) and Venkatesh et al.…”

“…The present research also confirmed that the perception of using mcommerce as an entertaining and fun experience has a direct and positive impact on the intention to use the m-commerce by low-income Ecuadorian consumers. This coincides with the findings by Baptista and Oliveira (2015), Savita Panwar (2017), and Sivathanu (2018), who found that HM has a significant impact on the intention to use m-banking, mobile shopping app, and digital payment systems, and reinforces the claim of authors such as Alalwan et al (2016), Morosan and DeFranco (2016), Poong et al (2016) and Venkatesh et al (2012) that hedonic benefits are essential drivers of intention to use or adopt information technologies.…”

“…HM refers to the pleasure derived from technology usage (Brown and Venkatesh, 2005) and reflects consumers' perception of this experience's potential entertainment. Empirical evidence suggests that in the context of the use of information technologies, hedonic benefits are important drivers of intention to use or adopt the use of technologies (Alalwan et al, 2016;Morosan and DeFranco, 2016;Poong et al, 2016;Venkatesh et al, 2012). Additionally, Savita Panwar (2017) found that HM significantly influenced the intention to use a mobile shopping app.…”