Video-conference Platforms: Understanding the Antecedents and Consequences of Participating in or Attending Virtual Conferences in Developing Countries

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an empirical perspective on the antecedents and consequences of virtual conference participant/attendee behavior and continuance behavior through video-conference platforms using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) combined with further related factors. The sample consisted of 209 participants and attendees of three Middle Eastern virtual conferences. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the research model. The results indicate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and perceived trust are associated with actual participating/attending behavior, and that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, perceived trust, and system quality influence the intention of continuance participation/attendance behavior. The results further reveal the influence of use behavior on knowledge acquisition and the influence of continuance behavior on knowledge acquisition and communication quality. The implications for both theory and practice are provided based on the findings.

KEYWORDS:

• UTAUT model
• electronic conferences
• video-conference technology
• perceived trust
• system quality
• Middle East.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mohammad A. Alajmi

Mohammad A. Alajmi is an associate professor of information studies at PAAET in Kuwait. He received his Ph.D and Master of Sciences in Information Science from University of North Texas in USA. His publications have appeared in several intentional journals, such as Information Development and Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship.

Maha Said Ali

Maha Said Ali is an associate professor of information studies at the Public Authority for Applied education and Training in Kuwait. She received her Ph.D of Sciences in Information Science from Loughborough University in UK. She interests in the cultural aspects of knowledge management.