Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in Predicting the Intent to Use the Internet for Academic Purposes

Authors

  • Zainol Bidin College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Mohd Farid Asraf Md Hashim College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Zakiyah Sharif College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Faridahwati Mohd Shamsudin College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2011.8.7

Keywords:

Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, intention

Abstract

Purpose â€“ This study sought to investigate the factors that influence students’ intention to use the Internet for academic purposes in Universiti Utara Malaysia. This study applies theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the base model. The model employed the original variables from the theory i.e. attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention.
 
Method â€“ A survey involving of questionnaires was conducted among 369 public university students. Multiple regression was employed to examine the factors influencing intention to use the Internet for academic purposes.
 
Findings â€“ Results revealed that the variables attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control are statistically significant in influencing intention to use the Internet for learning purposes. It was also found that 38% of the variance in students’ intention to use the Internet is cumulatively explained by their attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control.
 
Significance â€“ The paper provides useful scientific insight into the relationships between attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control variables towards intention to use the Internet for academic purposes. The findings can be used to promote the use of Internet among students in enhancing their learning experience.

References

Aiken, M., Vanjani, M., Ray, B., & Martin, J. (2003). College students’ internet use. Campus-Wide Information Systems, http://mjli.uum.edu.my 20(5), 182–185.

Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (Eds.). (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behaviour. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Ajzen, I. (1988). Attitudes, personality and behaviour. Chicago, IL: Dorsey.

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Process, 50(2), 179–211.

Ajzen, I., & Driver, B. L. (1992). Application of the theory of planned behaviour in leisure choice. Journal of Leisure Research, 24(3), 207–224.

Asfaw, T. T., & Bo, C. C. (2003). Student use of internet in China: A study on Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). Pakistan Journal of Information and Technology, 2(1), 25–29.

Chan, K., & Fang, W. (2007). Use of internet and traditional media among young people. Young Consumers, 8(4), 244–256.

Compeau, D. R., & Higgins, C. A. (1995). Computer self-efficacy: Development of a measure and initial test. MIS Quarterly, 19(2), 89–211.

Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention and behaviour: An introduction to theory and research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Fusilier, M., & Durlabhji. (2005). An exploration of student use in India: The technology acceptance model and theory of planned behaviour. Campus Wide Information Systems, 22(4), 233–246.

Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W.C. (1998). Multivariate data analysis (5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Harrison, D. A., Mykytyn, P. P., & Riemenschneider, C. K. (1997). Executive decisions about adoption of information technology in small business: Theory and empirical tests. Information Systems Research, 8(2) 171–192.

Hartwick, J., & Barki, H. (1994). Explaining the role of user participation in information system use. Management Science, 40(4), 440–465.

Jong, D., & Wang, T.S. (2009). Student acceptance of web-based learning system. Proceedings of the 2009 International Symposium on Web Information Systems and Applications (WISA’09) (pp. 533-553). Nanchang, People Republic of http://mjli.uum.edu.my China.

Limayem. M., Khalifa, M., & Frini, A. (2000). What makes consumers buy from Internet? A longitudinal study of online shopping. IEEE Transaction on Systems, Man and Cybernatics, 30(4), 431–432.

Mathieson, K. (1991). Predicting user intentions: Comparing the technology acceptance model with the theory of planned behaviour. Information System Research, 2(3), 173–191.

Moore, G., & Benbasat, I. (1993). An empirical examination of a model of the factors affecting utilization of information technology by end-users. Working paper Faculty of Commerce, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Noor Ismawati Jaafar. (2003). Computer usage and perception among accounting students: A survey in a public university. Jurnal Pendidikan, 23, 57–69.

Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

O’Cass, A., & Fenech, T. (2003). Web retailing adoption: Exploring the nature of Internet users, web retailing behaviour. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 10 (2), 81–94.

Taylor, S., & Todd, P.A. (1995). Understanding information technology usage: A test of competing models. Information Systems Research, 6 (2), 144–176.

Yalcinalp, S., & Moeini, H. (2008, September). University students’ approach to ICT in their learning process. Paper presented at the European Educational Research Association Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Yi, M. Y., Jackson, J. D., Park, J. S., & Probst, J. C. (2006). Understanding information technology acceptance by individual professionals: Toward an integrative view. Information & Management, 43 (3), 350–363.

Downloads

Published

31-01-2011

How to Cite

Bidin, Z., Md Hashim, M. F. A., Sharif, Z., & Mohd Shamsudin, F. (2011). Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in Predicting the Intent to Use the Internet for Academic Purposes. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 8, 139-150. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2011.8.7

Research impact

Harvested 2026-09-22
3 citations, from OpenAlex — the highest of the sources checked

Counts differ between services because each indexes a different body of literature. None of them is the whole picture.

Identifiers DOI 10.32890/mjli2011.8.7 OpenAlex W89495132