IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/sagope/v14y2024i1p21582440241229570.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in Higher Education: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Liangyong Xue
  • Abdullah Mat Rashid
  • Sha Ouyang

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the application of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model in higher education, analyzing 162 SSCI/SCI-E articles from 2008 to 2022. It reveals a predominant focus on student participants from Asia and North America. Mobile learning tools are the most studied technologies. Surveys continue to be the top data gathering method, while structural equation modeling is preferred for analysis. The Technology Acceptance Model is combined most with UTAUT. UTAUT testing shows performance expectancy has the strongest sway on behavioral intention. Additionally, the review underscores nuanced variances in the impact of UTAUT factors between higher education and general contexts. The study calls for future UTAUT applications must promote inclusive research spanning diverse groups, mixed methodologies and theoretical perspectives. This comprehensive approach is imperative to fully understand technology adoption patterns in higher education and enable context-specific integration strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Liangyong Xue & Abdullah Mat Rashid & Sha Ouyang, 2024. "The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in Higher Education: A Systematic Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(1), pages 21582440241, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:1:p:21582440241229570
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440241229570
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440241229570
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/21582440241229570?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicky Terblanche & Martin Kidd, 2022. "Adoption Factors and Moderating Effects of Age and Gender That Influence the Intention to Use a Non-Directive Reflective Coaching Chatbot," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    2. Teck-Soon Hew & Sharifah Latifah Syed A. Kadir, 2017. "Applying Channel Expansion and Self-Determination Theory in predicting use behaviour of cloud-based VLE," Behaviour and Information Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(9), pages 875-896, September.
    3. Abdalwali Lutfi & Mohamed Saad & Mohammed Amin Almaiah & Abdallah Alsaad & Ahmad Al-Khasawneh & Mahmaod Alrawad & Adi Alsyouf & Akif Lutfi Al-Khasawneh, 2022. "Actual Use of Mobile Learning Technologies during Social Distancing Circumstances: Case Study of King Faisal University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.
    4. Nattaporn Thongsri & Liang Shen & Yukun Bao, 2019. "Investigating factors affecting learner’s perception toward online learning: evidence from ClassStart application in Thailand," Behaviour and Information Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(12), pages 1243-1258, December.
    5. Godwin Kaisara & Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku & Kelvin Joseph Bwalya, 2022. "Structural Determinants of Mobile Learning Acceptance among Undergraduates in Higher Educational Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Scur, Gabriela & da Silva, André Victor Duarte & Mattos, Claudia Aparecida & Gonçalves, Rodrigo Franco, 2023. "Analysis of IoT adoption for vegetable crop cultivation: Multiple case studies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    7. Kexin Zhang & Zhonggen Yu, 2022. "Extending the UTAUT Model of Gamified English Vocabulary Applications by Adding New Personality Constructs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    8. Al-Azawei, Ahmed & Alowayr, Ali, 2020. "Predicting the intention to use and hedonic motivation for mobile learning: A comparative study in two Middle Eastern countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    9. Adam Malešević & Dušan Barać & Dragan Soleša & Ema Aleksić & Marijana Despotović-Zrakić, 2021. "Adopting xRM in Higher Education: E-Services Outside the Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-20, July.
    10. Dongxiao Gu & Salman Khan & Ikram Ullah Khan & Safeer Ullah Khan & Yi Xie & Xingguo Li & Gongrang Zhang, 2021. "Assessing the Adoption of e-Health Technology in a Developing Country: An Extension of the UTAUT Model," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, August.
    11. Melor Md Yunus & Wee Shin Ang & Harwati Hashim, 2021. "Factors Affecting Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Postgraduate Students’ Behavioural Intention for Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, March.
    12. Abdulwahab Mujalli & Tehmina Khan & Ahmed Almgrashi, 2022. "University Accounting Students and Faculty Members Using the Blackboard Platform during COVID-19; Proposed Modification of the UTAUT Model and an Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    13. Sedigheh Moghavvemi & Tanuosha Paramanathan & Nurliana Md Rahin & Manal Sharabati, 2017. "Student’s perceptions towards using e-learning via Facebook," Behaviour and Information Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(10), pages 1081-1100, October.
    14. Saud S. Alghazi & Amirrudin Kamsin & Mohammed Amin Almaiah & Seng Yue Wong & Liyana Shuib, 2021. "For Sustainable Application of Mobile Learning: An Extended UTAUT Model to Examine the Effect of Technical Factors on the Usage of Mobile Devices as a Learning Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Adam Malešević & Dušan Barać & Dragan Soleša & Ema Aleksić & Marijana Despotović-Zrakić, 2021. "Adopting xRM in Higher Education: E-Services Outside the Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Muhammad Tanveer & Harsandaldeep Kaur & George Thomas & Haider Mahmood & Mandakini Paruthi & Zhang Yu, 2021. "Mobile Phone Buying Decisions among Young Adults: An Empirical Study of Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Leonie Kuen & Fiona Schürmann & Daniel Westmattelmann & Sophie Hartwig & Shay Tzafrir & Gerhard Schewe, 2023. "Trust transfer effects and associated risks in telemedicine adoption," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Alrawad, Mahmaod & Lutfi, Abdalwali & Alyatama, Sundus & Al Khattab, Adel & Alsoboa, Sliman S. & Almaiah, Mohammed Amin & Ramadan, Mujtaba Hashim & Arafa, Hussin Mostafa & Ahmed, Nazar Ali & Alsyouf, , 2023. "Assessing customers perception of online shopping risks: A structural equation modeling–based multigroup analysis," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    5. Asa Romeo Asa & Davy Julian Du Plessis & Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku, 2024. "Virtual Learning Experiences Among Postgraduate Students in Namibia," International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 10(1), pages 7-22, April.
    6. Uthman Alturki & Ahmed Aldraiweesh, 2024. "The impact of self-determination theory: the moderating functions of social media (SM) use in education and affective learning engagement," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Zhou, Min & Huang, Jinlong & Wu, Kexin & Huang, Xin & Kong, Nan & Campy, Kathryn S., 2021. "Characterizing Chinese consumers’ intention to use live e-commerce shopping," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Yazn Alshamaila & Ferial Mohammad Abu Awwad & Ra’ed Masa’deh & Mahmoud E. Farfoura, 2023. "Complexities, Challenges, and Opportunities of Mobile Learning: A Case Study at the University of Jordan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
    9. Ingrid R. Epezagne Assamala & Wenyuan Li & Sheikh Farhan Ashraf & Nausheen Syed & He Di & Mehrab Nazir, 2022. "Mediation-Moderation Model: An Empirical Examination of Sustainable Women Entrepreneurial Performance towards Agricultural SMEs in Ivory Coast," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    10. Elshaer, Ibrahim A. & Alrawad, Mahmaod & Lutfi, Abdalwali & Azazz, Alaa M.S., 2024. "Social commerce and buying intention post COVID-19: Evidence from a hybrid approach based on SEM – fsQCA," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    11. Emily Abd Rahman & Melor Md Yunus & Harwati Hashim & Nur Khadirah Ab. Rahman, 2022. "Learner Autonomy between Students and Teachers at a Defence University: Perception vs. Expectation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, May.
    12. Quadri Noorulhasan Naveed & Adel Ibrahim Qahmash & Mohamed Rafik N. Qureshi & Naim Ahmad & Mohammed Aref Abdul Rasheed & Md Akhtaruzzaman, 2023. "Analyzing Critical Success Factors for Sustainable Cloud-Based Mobile Learning (CBML) in Crisp and Fuzzy Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    13. Jian-Hong Ye & Yi-Sang Lee & Chiung-Ling Wang & Weiguaju Nong & Jhen-Ni Ye & Yu Sun, 2023. "The Continuous Use Intention for the Online Learning of Chinese Vocational Students in the Post-Epidemic Era: The Extended Technology Acceptance Model and Expectation Confirmation Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    14. Le Qin & Jie Lu & Ying Zhou & Tommy Tanu Wijaya & Yongxing Huang & Mohammad Fauziddin, 2022. "Reduction of Academic Burnout in Preservice Teachers: PLS-SEM Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-24, October.
    15. Jiexiang Jin & Mi Hyun Ryu, 2024. "Sustainable Healthcare in China: Analysis of User Satisfaction, Reuse Intention, and Electronic Word-of-Mouth for Online Health Service Platforms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, September.
    16. Tommy Tanu Wijaya & Yiming Cao & Robert Weinhandl & Eri Yusron & Zsolt Lavicza, 2022. "Applying the UTAUT Model to Understand Factors Affecting Micro-Lecture Usage by Mathematics Teachers in China," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-20, March.
    17. Abdulwahab Mujalli, 2024. "Factors Affecting the Implementation of Risk-Based Internal Auditing," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-20, May.
    18. Thomas Mason Lim & Melor Md Yunus, 2021. "Teachers’ Perception towards the Use of Quizizz in the Teaching and Learning of English: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, June.
    19. Xiu-Kin Loh & Voon-Hsien Lee & Xiu-Ming Loh & Garry Wei-Han Tan & Keng-Boon Ooi & Yogesh K. Dwivedi, 2022. "The Dark Side of Mobile Learning via Social Media: How Bad Can It Get?," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 1887-1904, December.
    20. Mohammed Amin Almaiah & Shaha Al-Otaibi & Rima Shishakly & Lamia Hassan & Abdalwali Lutfi & Mahmoad Alrawad & Mohammad Qatawneh & Orieb Abu Alghanam, 2023. "Investigating the Role of Perceived Risk, Perceived Security and Perceived Trust on Smart m-Banking Application Using SEM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-17, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:1:p:21582440241229570. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.