Determining the Direct and Moderator Effect of Covid-19 Risk Perception: Research Over Technology Acceptance Model Variables

The Covid-19 virus, which had an impact on people’s lives, has become pandemic since its emergence in 2020 and has affected the world. During the Pandemic process, individuals try to leverage technology to avoid lagging in areas such as education and fulfill their duties. The use of technology opportunities has become a necessity due to individual preferences and risk-creating situations. This study aims to identify the ease-of-use and usability perceptions of individuals with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) variables for distance education systems and determine the effects of Covid-19 risk perception on these perceptions. Also, the research aims to determine whether existing risk perceptions have moderator effect between usefulness and ease of use. The research was conducted through the sample of academicians from Ardahan University which were selected from among the universities that use the distance learning system. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PL-SEM) was used in the analysis of the data. It has been determined that the risk perception of Covid-19 has partial effects on TAM variables and has no moderator effects.