Purpose: This study intends to examine the factors that influence Chinese college students' use of the Internet for acquiring information.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper developed the research model by using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and information system success model as the theoretical foundation. The proposed model was empirically tested with the structural equation modeling technique based on data collected from a survey of 357 college students.
Findings: The results show that 1) perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness all have a positive impact on the intention to use the Internet for acquiring information, 2) use context and system quality significantly influence perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and 3) service quality has a positive impact on perceived ease of use but not on perceived usefulness. Likewise information quality has no positive effect on perceived usefulness.
Research limitations: The survey respondents were mainly from college students in Nanjing. We need to recruit college students in the western or other developing areas in China to further validate our findings.
Practical implications: This study puts forward some feasible suggestions for university libraries to improve information organization and the use of digital library resources to better meet the needs of library users.
Originality/value: This study provides insights into the understanding of the factors affecting college students' online information acquisition from multiple perspectives.
English Abstract:
Purpose: This study intends to examine the factors that influence Chinese college students' use of the Internet for acquiring information.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper developed the research model by using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and information system success model as the theoretical foundation. The proposed model was empirically tested with the structural equation modeling technique based on data collected from a survey of 357 college students.
Findings: The results show that 1) perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness all have a positive impact on the intention to use the Internet for acquiring information, 2) use context and system quality significantly influence perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and 3) service quality has a positive impact on perceived ease of use but not on perceived usefulness. Likewise information quality has no positive effect on perceived usefulness.
Research limitations: The survey respondents were mainly from college students in Nanjing. We need to recruit college students in the western or other developing areas in China to further validate our findings.
Practical implications: This study puts forward some feasible suggestions for university libraries to improve information organization and the use of digital library resources to better meet the needs of library users.
Originality/value: This study provides insights into the understanding of the factors affecting college students' online information acquisition from multiple perspectives.
This work is supported by the Special Fund for Fast Sharing of Science Paper in Net Era by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development Center (Grant No.: FSSP2013044001)
; the Doctoral Fund of the Chinese Ministry of Education (Grant No.: 20130091110061)
School of Information Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Recommended Citation:
ZHANG Yihan,YUAN Qinjian,MISBAH Jabeen. Factors influencing online information acquisition: The case of Chinese college students[J]. Chinese Journal of Library and Information Science,2015,8(1):66-82.
