Factors influencing students' satisfaction in using wireless Internet in higher education: Cross-validation of TSM

Purpose: In this age of exponential knowledge growth, where wireless Internet is playing a dominant role, the authorities of higher education concerned have to ensure that this tool remains within the reach of the students. However, there has been as yet little research indicating its success in China. The prime aim of this study is to examine factors that influence students' satisfaction in using wireless Internet in higher education for the purpose of learning. The second aim of this study is to identify if gender has a moderating effect on students' satisfaction in using wireless Internet in higher education.
Design/methodology/approach: Data from a total of 283 students from five colleges of a comprehensive public university in China (Foreign Language Studies, Business, Education, Biology and Chemistry, and Mathematics and Engineering) were collected for this study. The reliability and validity of the measurement scale were established through a Rasch model using Winsteps version 3.94. The TSM was validated applying Structural Equation Modeling using AMOS to test the causal relationships among the constructs.
Findings: The results of this study revealed that students' satisfaction was directly influenced by perceived usefulness and ease of use of wireless Internet. Besides, students' perceived ease of use and usefulness were directly affected by their computer self-efficacy. On the other hand, students' computer self-efficacy had an indirect effect on their satisfaction mediated by ease of use and usefulness, respectively. The findings also discovered that gender did exert effect as a moderating variable towards students' satisfaction in using wireless Internet in higher education.
Practical implications: The TSM was shown to be a useful model to measure students' satisfaction in using wireless internet in a different culture.
Originality/value: In order to achieve this aim, a technology satisfaction model (TSM) on the potential factors contributing to student satisfaction was developed from the literature and validated in this study. Whereas, the TSM has been developed and validated in Malaysia. Copyright © 2018 Emerald Publishing Limited.