Applying an integrated acceptance model and using technology to accept virtual library (A case study of Kerman University of Medical Sciences)

Purpose: An example of a new information technology in universities is the virtual library. An example of a new information technology in universities is the virtual library. Therefore, determining the status of the integration of acceptance and use of technology for acceptance of the virtual library at Kerman University of Medical Sciences among faculty members is the main goal of this research.

Methods: In this study, data was collected from cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical surveys over time, and it was applied. The statistical population included all academic faculty members working at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2023-24. The sampling method in this study was random-stratified. Morgan's table was used to determine the initial sample size. The initial sample size was equal to 220 people. Then, based on the number of faculty members in each faculty, the share of each faculty was determined. The research data collection tool was a questionnaire based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model by Venkatesh et al. (2003). It includes demographic sections and measures the integration of acceptance and use of technology in the form of 21 questions across six components: performance expectation, effort expectation, social conditions, facilitating conditions, intention to use and actual use. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as frequency, frequency percentage, mean and standard deviation. To test the research hypotheses, the method of path analysis was used in the form of a structural equation model. The software used for data analysis was SPSS and Smart PLS version 23.

Results: The results of the research based on structural equation modeling showed that the expectation of performance and the presence of facilitating conditions had a positive and significant effect on faculty members' intention to use the virtual library (P-value 0.05). Also, faculty members' intention to use and their performance expectations have had a positive and significant effect on their actual behavior of using the virtual library (P-value 0.05). However, the results showed that the expectation of effort and social conditions could not have a significant effect on faculty members' intention and behavior to use the virtual library (P-value>0.05).

Conclusion: Faculty acceptance and use of the virtual library are strongly influenced by factors such as performance expectation and facilitating conditions. Meanwhile, social conditions and expectations of effort didn't affect faculty use and acceptance of the virtual library much. Hence, performance expectations and facilitating conditions are crucial for boosting virtual library acceptance and use. To be more precise, the findings of the research indicate that the positive performance expectations of the faculty members played an important role in the formation of their intention to use the virtual library. This issue can be examined from several perspectives: first, people act rationally in their behavior; in such a way that their behavior brings maximum benefit to them. Based on this, faculty members use the virtual library when they expect that this action will bring them more benefits than other alternative behaviors. Secondly, people who expect the use of the virtual library to improve their performance, after using it, evaluate whether it really met their performance expectations or not? If the answer is positive, the probability of continuing to use the virtual library increases. In sum, according to the research literature in this field, performance expectations can play a decisive role in the decision to accept and use a new technology. In this way, faculty members who expect that the virtual library can meet their functional needs, such as quick and easy access to the scientific resources they need, will have more motivation to use it. Because faculty members often need quick and easy access to wide sources of specialized articles and books in order to advance their research and studies. If they expect the virtual library to meet this need well, they will be more motivated to use it frequently. If faculty members expect that the virtual library can increase their academic productivity, they will have a stronger intention to use it so that they can publish more articles and research faster.

In general, considering the positive and significant effect of performance expectation on the intention and behavior of using the virtual library, it is suggested to increase the skill and ability of the academic staff in using the facilities of the virtual library by holding training courses and providing step-by-step guides. This will lead to an increase in their performance expectations. Also, considering the positive effect of facilitating conditions on the intention to use, it is suggested to design a simple and functional interface of the virtual library and to add facilities such as advanced search in a functional form, easy access to resources and help to users.