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Factors influencing students’ satisfaction in using wireless internet in higher education: Cross-validation of TSM

A.Y.M. Atiquil Islam (Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China)
Magdalena Mo Ching Mok (Assessment Research Centre, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong)
Qian Xiuxiu (Department of English Language and Literature, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Chin Hai Leng (Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 5 February 2018

1520

Abstract

Purpose

In this age of exponential knowledge growth, where wireless internet is playing a dominant role, the concerned authorities of higher education have to ensure that this tool remains within the reach of the students. However, there has been as yet little research indicating its success in China. This paper aims to examine factors that influence students’ satisfaction (SAT) in using wireless internet in higher education for the purpose of learning. The second aim of this study is to identify if gender has a moderating effect on students’ SAT in using wireless internet in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a total of 283 students from five colleges of a comprehensive public university in China (Foreign Language Studies, Business, Education, Biology and Chemistry, and Mathematics and Engineering) were collected for this study. The reliability and validity of the measurement scale were established through a Rasch model using Winsteps version 3.94. The technology satisfaction model (TSM) was validated applying structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS to test the causal relationships among the constructs.

Findings

The results of this study revealed that students’ SAT was directly influenced by perceived usefulness (PU) and ease of use of wireless internet. Besides, students’ perceived ease of use (PEU) and usefulness were directly affected by their computer self-efficacy. On the other hand, students’ computer self-efficacy had an indirect effect on their SAT mediated by ease of use and perceived usefulness, respectively. The findings also discovered that gender did exert effect as a moderating variable towards students’ SAT in using wireless internet in higher education.

Practical implications

The TSM was shown to be a useful model to measure students’ SAT in using wireless internet in a different culture.

Originality/value

To achieve this aim, a TSM on the potential factors contributing to student SAT was developed from the literature and validated in this study. Whereas, the TSM has been developed and validated in Malaysia.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express authors’ sincere appreciation and profound gratitude to Professor Dr Zhang Quan of Jiaxing University, for giving authors permission to collect the appropriate data and supporting this academic research at the international level. This work is supported by the Peak Discipline Construction Project of Education at East China Normal University.

Citation

Islam, A.Y.M.A., Mok, M.M.C., Xiuxiu, Q. and Leng, C.H. (2018), "Factors influencing students’ satisfaction in using wireless internet in higher education: Cross-validation of TSM", The Electronic Library, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 2-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2016-0150

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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