The Use of UTAUT Model for Understanding Academicians’ Perception Towards Online Faculty Development Programs (FDP)

This study wishes to examine the adequacy of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in understanding academicians' adoption and perception towards learning through online faculty development programs (FDP) in higher education in the Indian context. The emergence of information and communication technologies and cheaper internet usage charges have led to the penetration of computing devices and smartphones, leading to learning through online portals. In the prevailing covid-19 situation, countries experienced lockdown, work from home, and online learning has emerged in a big way. From traditional classroom teachers to an online learning environment, the role of academicians has changed drastically. Hence, Faculty Development Programs became an important component in this lockdown period for skill and knowledge up-gradation. This study used a quantitative methodology in which a theoretical model UTAUT was tested using hypotheses to assess the interaction between the study variables, performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), facilitating conditions (FC) with behavioral intentions (BI). Data from academicians were collected through a self-administered questionnaire created using Google forms. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis using SPSS software 20. It was found that performance expectancy and effort expectancy were significant influencers in academicians' adoption of online FDPs. However, facilitating conditions (FC) was found not a significant predictor for online FDPs. Gender as a moderating variable was significantly impacting the interaction between PE and BI.