Empirically Investigating The Acceptance Of Cloud-Based Virtual Learning Environment (C-VLE) In The Higher Education Institutes Of China

Cloud computing has introduced a new concept of the cloud-based virtual learning environment(C-VLE)that has significant differences with the existing grid-based virtual learning environment(G-VLE)based on different technological infrastructures.It is,therefore,the findings from previous literature related to G-VLE can't be possible to germane with C-VLE.This dissertation is introducing the idea of C-VLE in higher education institutes and consists of two independent studies.The first study examined students' intention to adopt C-VLE.This study employed well-known TAM constructs in addition to the perceived university support,trust,personal innovativeness in IT and the subjective norms.This study investigated the direct effect of these constructs on the C-VLE usage intention.This study also considered gender differences.The second study also employed TAM with two additional explanatory variables including perceived university support and trust.This study investigated the mediating role of trust in between perceived university support and C-VLE usage intention.This study also investigated the mediating role of trust in between perceived university support and the perceived usefulness that results in the C-VLE usage intention.The measures for the survey instrument were adapted from existing literature with minor changes to meet our research requirements.The questionnaire was first developed in the English language.At then,the back-translation technique got employed.Later,the validity of the questionnaire items and content in the first survey instrument was assessed by sharing the questionnaire with 7 Ph.D.research scholars and 13 Master degree in which 25 Chinese students were requested to participate.Later,the validity of the questionnaire items and content of the second survey instrument was assessed by sharing the questionnaire with 9 Ph.D.research scholars and 18 Master degree students.After accommodating their recommendations,a pilot study was conducted,in which 33 Chinese students were requested to participate.The sample consists of 327 valid responses in the first survey instrument,while consists of 346 valid responses in the second survey instrument.This dissertation revealed various interesting findings.All proposed hypothesis got accepted except PEU and the C-VLE usage intention.PEU was the only one that was found having no direct effect on the C-VLE usage intention.Surprisingly,PU and TR were found playing a significant mediating role in between PEU and the C-VLE usage intention.Another surprising finding is the non-significant moderating role of gender except between subjective norms and the C-VLE usage intention.In addition,PUS was found equally important factor for the male and female students in the Chinese context.This dissertation can help the university administration as well as the cloud computing service providers to build trust over C-VLE.