Instant Messaging Acceptance and Use Among College Students

Abstract

The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is used to study acceptance and usage of instant messaging among college students. This study validates the UTAUT model in a new environment which is not work related. The results show that functional capability (the presence of various functions in the application) has a direct effect on behavior intention as well as on performance and effort expectancies. The results also show that performance expectancy does not have the hypothesized effect on behavioral intention. This may be attributed to the non-work environment. As replacement, attitude becomes a significant factor on behavioral intention. Peer influence is also found to be an important factor. The model explains more than 60 % of the variance in behavioral intention. With the identification of new important variables and relationships for instant messaging,