USERS ACCEPTANCE OF INTERNET OF THINGS USAGE IN SAUDI PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become increasingly popular in recent years, leading to its wide range of implementation in various sectors and industries worldwide. Saudi Arabia is no exception to this digital revolution. Many institutions and companies in Saudi Arabia have implemented IoT services and achieved great success in various fields, such as education, health and smart cities. However, the low usage of new technology is among the most critical issues facing the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study investigated the factors that influence and their relationship with the adoption of IoT technologies in the education sector of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is a widely used model for understanding the factors the study can provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the adoption and use of IoT in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the study has identified the factors that influence the use of the IoT. Furthermore, the study examined the role of UTAUT moderators (e.g., age, gender, technology experience) in the relationship between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and behavioural intention. The presence of psychological capital was found to have helped to increase the intention of individuals to use IoT technology, making them more inclined to use it in their daily lives. Therefore, its role as a moderating variable was essential when studying the relationship between behavioural intention and IoT usage. A total of 432 respondents participated in the study. Samples were analysed using IBM SPSS 23 and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLSSEM) via the SmartPLS. The results showed that effort expectancy was the most It was also found that behavioural intention, performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions were significantly related to IoT usage. In addition, the results demonstrated that psychological capital as a moderator significantly affected the relationship between behaviour intention and the use of IoT. In conclusion, the findings have implications for companies related to smart devices and university leaders.