Investigating The Effect of Behavioral Intention on E-learning Systems Usage: Empirical Study on Tertiary Education Institutions in Ghana

The objective of the study aimed at assessing the relationship that exists between antecedents of behavioral intentions, and how they impact on the usage of E-learning systems in tertiary institutions in Ghana. Empirical data for the study was obtained through a survey from 237 respondents made up of; governing council members, school management members, faculty members, ICT department staff and students from five tertiary education institutions in Ghana. The study developed an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by incorporating an external variable, self-efficacy. The hypothesized model was examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLSSEM) technique using Smart PLS version 12 software. The paper argues that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and self-efficacy influenced individual’s behavioral intentions to utilize E-learning systems. However, the findings confirm that, through the mediating role of individuals’ behavioral intention to use, self-efficacy is the most influential factor that affects individual’s behavioral intentions to utilize E-learning systems in Ghana’s tertiary education institutions, relative to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. This result implies that self-efficacy is the main behavioral intention factor in determining E-learning system utilization, in Ghana’s tertiary education context. This study satisfies or fills an E-learning utilization literature shortfall by the extension of the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate antecedents of behavioral intentions and their impact on E-learning systems usage among tertiary education institutions. Also, the study demonstrates the importance of behavioral intention-to-use as playing a full mediating role between self-efficacy and E-learning system usage.