Title: Factors affecting the intention of Palestinian university faculty to adopt virtual reality technology

Authors: Elham Mohmmad Abed Nabhan; Baker Alserhan; Jusuf Zeqiri; Kimberly Gleason

Addresses: Arab American University, P.O Box 240 Jenin, 13 Zababdeh, Jenin, Palestine ' King Talal Business School, Princess Sumaya University of for Technology, Amman, Jordan ' Faculty of Business and Economics, South East European University, Tetovo, North Macedonia ' American University of Sharjah, University City, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, UAE

Abstract: In this study, we investigate the factors that influence the intention of academic staff to adopt virtual reality applications (VR) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Palestine. Although the adoption of VR has been relatively slow in the developing world relative to other mobile technologies, research indicates that VR has the potential to revolutionise educational delivery in these regions. Based on Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory (DOI), we survey academic staff members from three Palestinian universities to identify the factors that impact VR adoption intention. Using structural equations modelling (SEM) we examine relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, and complexity. Results indicate that perceived complexity has a negative effect on the intention to adopt innovation, but relative advantage, compatibility, trialability and observability all have a positive and significant influence on academic staff's intention to adopt VR in Palestinian HEIs.

Keywords: virtual reality; diffusion of innovation theory; DOI; Palestine; developing country; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2024.137642

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2024 Vol.16 No.2, pp.103 - 119

Received: 12 Jan 2023
Accepted: 08 Feb 2023
Published online: 02 Apr 2024 *

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