Determinants of use of electronic information resources by the professoriate in Nigerian universities: Extending the unified theory of acceptance and utilisation of technology model

Abstract

Background: This study examined the determinants of use of electronic resources by the professoriate in the social sciences and humanities departments of three universities in Nigeria. The constructs of the unified theory of acceptance and utilisation of technology (UTAUT), namely, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions, were used as determinants, and were extended to include self-efficacy, attitude and anxiety because of their theoretical and practical significance in the context of this study.

Objectives: This study examined the determinants of the use of electronic information resources by the professoriate in the social sciences and humanities departments of three federal universities in Nigeria.

Method: This study used a descriptive survey to study the determinants of use of electronic information resources by the professoriate. An adapted questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 246 professors from the three universities. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: The results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, attitude and social influence significantly influenced the professoriate’s intention to use electronic resources in comparison to self-efficacy, anxiety and facilitating conditions. The descriptive statistics, however, revealed high self-efficacy and low anxiety means scores, and showed the significance of these constructs in extending the UTAUT model within the context of this study.

Conclusion: Extending the UTAUT in the academic context shows the relevance of these constructs in improving information services to the professoriates as a unique group.