Investigating the determinants of construction professionals' acceptance of web-based training: An extension of the technology acceptance model

Intensifying competitive pressures associated with globalization coupled with increasing project complexity have brought about a greater demand for construction professionals with appropriate knowledge and skills. Web-based training (WBT) provides an effective learning environment which is independent of time and space, hence it allows learners who cannot undergo face-to-face training to receive appropriate training. However, successful implementation of WBT requires a solid understanding of the factors that affect its acceptance. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that influence the successful implementation of a WBT system in the construction industry. Data collected from a sample of 408 construction professionals were used to test hypothesized relationships that draw upon an extension of the technology acceptance model (TAM). This is the first study designed to systematically survey the acceptance of WBT in the construction industry, which was accomplished by employing an extension of the TAM to investigate the determinants of acceptance of WBT on the part of construction professionals. The results demonstrate that the proposed model successfully accounts for how construction professionals come to accept WBT. This study provides insight into acceptance of WBT on the part of professionals in the construction industry (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.