Drivers of mobile learning app usage: an integrated perspective of personality, readiness, and motivation

ABSTRACT

Mobile phones are now used ubiquitously in everyday life around the world. However, using mobile devices for learning activities (i.e. m-learning) is not as popular as initially expected. This study explores the factors that affect m-learning apps acceptance among mobile phone users and investigates how personality, readiness, and motivation contribute to m-learning acceptance. The results of partial least squares analysis (PLS) with 297 valid samples indicate that conscientiousness and m-learning readiness are critical antecedents of intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, with both motivations affecting intention to use m-learning app systems significantly and positively. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications are presented based on this study’s interesting findings.

KEYWORDS:

• M-learning app acceptance
• Big-Five personality model
• locus of control
• mobile learning readiness
• intrinsic motivation
• extrinsic motivation

Acknowledgement

This study was financially supported and allowed for execution by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan under grant number MOST 107-2813-C-018-022-H.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan: [Grant Number MOST 107-2813-C-018-022-H].

Notes on contributors

Ching-Hsuan Yeh

Ching-Hsuan Yeh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Business at Feng Chia University, Taiwan. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Information Management at National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan. He received his Ph.D. in International Business from National Chi Nan University, Taiwan. His current research interests include consumer behavior, e-commerce, and Internet marketing. He has published papers in journals such as International Journal of Information Management, Thinking Skills and Creativity, Internet Research, Journal of Business Research, Online Information Review, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, and Food Quality and Preference.

Yi-Shun Wang

Yi-Shun Wang is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Information Management at the National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan. He received his Ph.D. in MIS from National Chengchi University, Taiwan. His current research interests include information and educational technology adoption strategies, IS success models, online user behavior, knowledge management, Internet entrepreneurship education, and e-learning. He has published papers in journals such as Interactive Learning Environments, Academy of Management Learning and Education, Computers & Education, British Journal of Educational Technology, Information Systems Journal, Information & Management, International Journal of Information Management, Government Information Quarterly, Internet Research, Computers in Human Behavior, International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, Information Technology and People, Information Technology and Management, Journal of Educational Computing Research, among others. He is the former Chairman for the Research Discipline of Applied Science Education in the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan.

Yu-Min Wang

Yu-Min Wang is a Professor in the Department of Information Management at National Chi Nan University, Taiwan. He has over 6 years of IT experiences in various organizations and positions. He received his Ph.D. degree in information management from National Sun Yat-Sen University of Taiwan in 2004. His main research interests include e-learning, business and technology education, IT-supported teaching and learning, and user acceptance and outcome assessment of information technologies. His research has been published in several refereed journals, including Computers & Education, Computers in Human Behavior, Information & Management, Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Journal of Information Science, International Journal of Mobile Communications, International Journal of Service Industry Management, Psychological Reports, International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, International Journal of Information and Education Technology, Journal of Computer Information Systems, Computers in Industry, CyberPsychology & Behavior, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, Sun Yat-Sen Management Review, International Journal of Technology Management, The Service Industries Journal, and Information Systems and e-Business Management. He is currently serving as the Chairman for the Research Discipline of Applied Science Education in the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan.

Ting-Jun Liao

Ting-Jun Liao is a graduate student in the Department of Information Management at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. She received her bachelor’s degree in Information Management from National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan. Her current research interests include mobile learning, online entrepreneurship, and educational technology acceptance. She has ever served as a Principal Investigator of the College Student Project in the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan and earned the College Student Research Creativity Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan.