Relationship between individual beliefs, arousal and usage of online knowledge sharing technology among academicians in Malaysian research Universities

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of individual beliefs, arousal, and usage of online knowledge sharing technology. These factors were examined as determinants that influence the academic staffs’ adoption and usage of online knowledge sharing technology in the context of research universities in Malaysia. To do so, the study integrated technology acceptance model with hedonic consumption model as the theoretical model for understanding the acceptance and usage of online knowledge sharing technology. The study aimed at contributing to the insufficient research on arousal as an element of emotion that may influence the usage of online knowledge sharing technology to support knowledge sharing. The study was empirically evaluated using quantitative data from a sample of 321 academics from five research universities. Relevant information was collected through online survey submitted to all the chosen academics from the five research universities. The result indicates that individual beliefs (perceived usefulness and perceive ease of use) and arousal are predictors of usage of online knowledge sharing technology. The finding of the study contributes both to the academic research, by making available to scholars on the empirical evidence on the element of arousal as an additional determinant in the TAM model that influences the usage of online knowledge sharing technology.