Gregory A. Jonas

Textbook websites: user technology acceptance behaviour

Compared with course management software (e.g. Blackboard and WebCT), the content and technology offered by a textbook website (TBW) is relatively costless to universities and professors, and is a potentially valuable tool that can be leveraged to help students learn course material. The present study uses the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2) and structural equation modelling to examine characteristics associated with the voluntary usage behaviour (UB) of TBW by students in entry-level accounting courses. Analysing survey data from 231 participants, our results indicate that perceptions of usefulness, the ability to demonstrate or explain the benefits of usage and peer usage of the TBW are all positively associated with UB. However, our findings also suggest that notwithstanding the potential benefits accruing to students, faculty encouragement is a critical enabling factor for use of the TBW. Because of persistent concerns on the part of students, educators, administrators, textbook publishers, and legislators regarding the cost and quality of higher education, we discuss the implications of our results for these stakeholders.