Users` perceptions on factors influencing the usage of digital library services

Abstract

Nowadays the use of digital libraries for research and other academic purposes nowadays is almost compulsory for postgraduate students of all disciplines. This has resulted into the establishment of digital libraries in many private and public institutions of higher learning, to assist students, academic staff, and various researchers seek relevant information from different parts of the world without having to travel. The digital materials and contents support learning and knowledge transfer. Thus, they boosts academic and research activities through online-databases across the globe. In line with this, the present study is an attempt to investigate users’ perceptions of the factors influencing the usage of digital library services. The literature on digital library services focused on the dimensions of service quality and usability factors in isolation. This current study combines the factors of the two dimensions to explore their influence on the use of digital library services by the postgraduate students at the International Islamic University Malaysian (IIUM). The study proposes a combined model of Digital Library Use (DLU). The model was analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), partial least squares (PLS), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modelling (SEM). The data were collected using an online-based survey, which was conducted between November – December 2014. A total of 703 usable responses were received. The results of the combined DLU model suggest that service quality and usability are the two significant dimensions influencing the use of digital libraries among postgraduate students. The service quality dimension is measured by service reliability, assurance, and responsiveness factors. The service usability dimension is measured by service efficiency, satisfaction, and effectiveness. Therefore, the DLU model confirms that improving the quality of these dimensional factors could increase the use of the digital library services by the users. Theoretically, this study provides a novel contribution in understanding users’ perceptions of the factors influencing the usage of digital library services for research and/or academic activities. So, the present study fills up this gap in the literature, and the study could be used as a basis to understand the combined influence of the service quality and usability dimensions when evaluating digital library usage from the users’ perspective. Empirically, this study employs several statistical analyses such as (t-test, ANOVA, EFA, PLS, CFA, and SEM) to develop new instruments and to validate a model for digital library services from the view point of the users. In practice, the findings of this study could assist digital libraries explorers such as universities, governments, and private organisations in evaluating the quality and performance of the services they provide. Furthermore, it could guide digital library designers and/or developers in creating better systems to enhance the quality of the existing to meet the ones in order to meet the requirements and expectations of both owners and users.