The Impact of Multidimensionality of Literacy on the Use of Digital Technology: Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives

Abstract

Considering the speed at which new digital technologies are evolving, it is the aim of this paper to assess the impact of multidimensionality of literacy on intention to use digital technologies. An empirical research, using antecedent factors of adoption, is executed to investigate the relationships between factors influencing digital immigrants and digital natives’ intentions to use digital technology. By using a survey data of 118 and 127 digital immigrants and digital natives, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) are applied. The results of the analyses while show some similarities, reveal that these two groups are different in many aspects and their intentions to use technology are influenced by different factors. Moreover, fsQCA results, while supporting the SEM findings, show that there are multiple configurations of conditions leading to the outcome of interest.