Learning barriers in adopting ICT among selected working women in Malaysia

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify learning barriers in information communication technology (ICT) adoption among working women in Malaysia. Regardless of gender, it would be advantageous for all individuals in today's society to acquire basic ICT skills. Despite significant growth in ICT professionals during the last two decades, there remains a gender imbalance, particularly in developing countries such as Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a self‐developed questionnaire to measure the learning barriers and ICT adoption. The survey instrument was developed from the constructs used in the individual innovativeness theory and theory of perceived attributes. The questionnaires were administered face‐to‐face to a total of 315 working women, who participated as respondents in this study.FindingsThe findings revealed that the working women in Malaysia possess only average level of ICT skills. They seldom use the internet and e‐mail at their workplace or at home, they do not face serious learning barriers with respect to ICT, and they have complexity as their innovation characteristics. However, they are innovators in the adopters' categories. The combined variance in the characteristics of learning barriers, ICT skills, and ICT usage amounted to 70 per cent in innovation characteristics.Practical implicationsThis study reduces the knowledge gap regarding the identification of learning barriers, ICT skills, and ICT usage as predictors of ICT adoption among working women in Malaysia. These factors have been overlooked by some previous researchers. This study also calls attention to the fact that employers and training agencies that are responsible to provide ICT training to women employees must understand and employ the proper learning approaches and methods that ought to be used in adult training and education. Malaysian women are able to adopt an innovation with a high degree of uncertainty at the time of adoption, and it is believed that with correct and suitable training schemes Malaysian working women can acquire appropriate ICT skills and become competent in using ICT at the workplace. With managerial skills and ICT‐based competencies, the working women would have a lot more knowledge seeking skills, increased access to up‐to‐date information, be effective in decision making, and establish networking and linkages. With this they will stand a better chance for promotion and advancement.Originality/valueThe sample of this study is unique. This study was conducted in a multi‐ethnic, multi‐cultural and multi‐lingual society. Malaysia presents an interesting case study on working women because it is a society undergoing rapid changes from its strong traditional religious and cultural norms to modern values about women.

Vice-Chancellors Influence on Academic Staff Intentions to Use Learning Management Systems (LMS) For Teaching and Learning

“…These were modelled in addition to the TAM variables Behavioural Intention to Use (BIU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU). The survey questions were structured to include the following broad constructs: environmental characteristics (Meso, Musa, & Mbarika, 2005;Musa, 2006;Mathieson, Peacock, & Chin, 2001), Technology characteristics (Davis F. D., 1989;Davis, Bagozzi, & Warshaw, 1989;Venkatesh & Bala, 2008), individual characteristics (Crump, Logan, & McIlroy, 2007;Hashim, 2008;Ndubisi N. O., 2007;Ndubisi N. O., 2005;Lynn & Halstead, 2003;Ankem, 2004;Roy & Ghose, 2006) and organizational characteristics (Venkatesh & Bala, 2008). Most items or variables in the survey were mapped to a seven point Likert scale.…”

The Relationship Between the Characteristics of Innovation Towards the Effectiveness of ICT in Malaysia Productivity Corporation

“…Observability will unblock the psychological barriers experienced by users after they discover the positive impact of these innovations. Junaidah (2008) depicted that psychological barrier is the belief held by individuals or perceptions that hinder participation in learning activities. Therefore, the fifth hypothesis is: Ha5a = There is a positive relationship between observability towards the effectiveness of ICT in MPC.…”

“…Demographic factors will influence the acceptance of innovation (Junaidah, 2008). Study by Junaidah (2008) discusses the ICT adoption by gender differences.…”

Gender differences in internet usage intentions for learning in higher education: An empirical study

“…Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), are increasingly being accepted and integrated in teaching, learning and research agenda in universities in all the nations of the earth (Hites, 2005). The preference to incorporate ICTs is motivated by the prospective and actual benefits that grow from the use of ICT, such as increased access to education and better educational quality (Hashim, 2008). The use of ICTs can offer a rich selection of learning experiences that are suitable to the needs, pace, space, aspirations and learning methods (Phil, 2005).…”

“…Thus, this paper focuses on the latter dimension of ICTs. Recent studies have posited that there remains a gender imbalance despite a significant growth in ICT sector in recent years (Chiu, Lin, & Tang, 2005;Hashim, 2008). This gender imbalance has been partly blamed for both the shortage of qualified ICT professionals, and the underrepresentation of some segments of the population, mostly females (Trauth & Howcroft, 2006).…”