EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT ON STUDENTS’ E-LEARNING INTENTIONS: MODERATING EFFECT OF
AGE, GENDER AND INTERNET ACCESS

Lehlohonolo Sempe
Mr, Department of Business Management
Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Email: lsempe@cut.ac.za

Abstract

E-learning is regarded as one of the most effective modes of course content delivery at institutions of higher learning; however, its adoption by students depends on strong institutional support. Prior studies have revealed that institutions differ in their levels of institutional support towards e-learning. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of institutional support on students’ e-learning intentions and to examine the moderating effect of age, gender and internet access on this relationship. A quantitative approach was applied in the study where a sample of 169 Business Management students was selected using random sampling technique to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire was developed and administrated to collect empirical data. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 software. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied in data analysis using WarpPLS 6.0 version software. Findings revealed that institutional support has a significant, positive impact on students’ e-learning intentions. The higher the level of e-learning support from institution, the higher the level of students’ e-learning intentions. In addition, at a high level of institutional support, female students showed higher e-learning intentions than their male counterparts. Furthermore, at a high level of institutional support, students who have internet access at home showed higher e-learning intentions than students who do not have any internet access at home. Results also revealed that students’ age has no significant moderating effect on the relationship between institutional support and students’ e-learning intentions. The study concludes that institutional support is crucial to enhancing students’ e-learning intentions and those institutions of higher learning should provide support to students taking courses online, such as reliable internet connectivity and computer laboratory facilities.

Keywords: E-Learning Intentions, Age, Gender, Institutional Support, Internet Access.