The Mediating Role of Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use in E-Learning Adoption During COVID-19 in Pakistan

The proposed study explores the determinants of e-learning use in Pakistan during COVID-19 and examines the mediating effects of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU). Also based on the prolonged Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study adds external variables of other significant theories, such as Cost, System Quality, and Complexity. A total of 461 students were sampled from major Pakistani universities using a structured questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data using SmartPLS software. The results demonstrate that PU and PEOU are essential mediators between several external variables and Behavioural Intention (BI). In particular, PEOU completely mediates the relationship between Application Complexity and PU and partially mediates the effects of Facilitating Conditions and COVID-19 on PU. Furthermore, PU mediates the relationships between Social Influence, PEOU, and BI. Moreover, PU mediates between Social Influence, PEOU, and BI. This research validates the essential mediating processes of the TAM model and provides valuable information for stakeholders interested in improving e-learning adoption during the crisis.