Adoption of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Applications in E-learning: Perception of the Management Undergraduates in a Selected State University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Software-as-a-Service applications immensely impact the success of e-learning with their ability of cost saving, scalability, and better collaboration. Identifying the factors influencing Software-as-a-Service applications’ adoption and their impact on the adoption of e-learning by management undergraduates in Sri Lanka became the main objectives for this research. 116 responses obtained were analyzed adopting Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling in SmartPLS. Findings revealed that behavioral intention to adopt such software together with facilitating conditions has a significant impact on the SaaS applications’ adoption by undergraduates in e-learning and factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and trust determine the intention towards adoption. This research is a value addition to the theoretical arena where studies are lacking regarding SaaS technology, specifically in the context of e-learning. Universities can focus on significant factors determined in this research when promoting the adoption of SaaS applications as an innovative tool to enhance the quality of education.

Keywords: Software-as-a-Service; e-learning; UTAUT model; Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling