A Moderated Mediation Model of Perceived E-Learning within the UAE Education Sector: A Practical Study

A Moderated Mediation Model of Perceived E-Learning within the UAE Education Sector: A Practical Study

1. Iman Akour1

   Information System,

   Computing and Informatics College/ University of Sharjah, UAE

   Mohamed AL Baity1

   Information System,

   Computing and Informatics College/ University of Sharjah, UAE

   Ahmad Qasim AL Hamad2

   Management Information Systems/Abu Dhabi University, UAE

   Abstract:- This study aims to investigate whether Perceived Usefulness and e-learning Effectiveness Influence and Continuance Use Intention are mediated by the Perceived Satisfaction of the Blackboard system in UAE higher education institutions. In addition, the moderating effect of gender on this mediating relationship was also studied. Using data from 341 respondents from Business School at Sharjah University, we found that the Perceived Usefulness and e-learning Effectiveness was positive and significant in influencing Continuance Use Intention. The Perceived Satisfaction was also found to mediate the direct relationships. In addition, gender was found to moderate the mediated relationship indicating that females have a larger impact on Continuance Use Intention than males.

   Keywords – Perceived Usefulness, e-learning Effectiveness Influence, continuance use intention, satisfaction, moderated mediation, PLS.

   1. INTRODUCTION

      Information technology (IT) presents an opportunity for transforming the means of learning and accessing information in distinct dimensions (Alhashmi et al., 2020; Al-Maroof et al., 2020; Alshurideh et al., 2019a; Habes et al., 2018; Zainal et al., 2020). According to Roca et al., (2006), IT enables people to increase the speed of their operations, become more flexible, efficient and offers increased access to all. Also, IT assists people in doing what would otherwise have been impossible in a unique manner. In the context of the education sector, Petkari, (2015), observed that the adoption of IT provides an increased opportunity for interaction, improved conceptual learning and harnessing the involvement in the teaching-learning practice. This view was equally affirmed by the study by Al- Hawari and Mouakket, (2010), which noted that Universities in the UAE had been increasingly adopting the reference of management systems for online courses, including, the Blackboard system for improving the relevance of outcomes of the education in the global and dynamic environment (Al- Emran et al., 2020; Alshurideh et al., 2019b; Salloum et al., 2019a; Salloum et al., 2020). The Blackboard system is identified to be an electronic learning environment (intranet)

      enabling educators and learners to design education content collaboratively. The relevance of the Blackboard system was affirmed by the study of Wang and Chiu, (2011), which observed internet Bulletin Board Systems as powerful and critical tools for enhancing educational communication, particularly for students, rather than participating in face-to- face classroom activities. Hence, the integration of the internet and technology is critical for providing a successful contemporary education system. In this case, it is instrumental to evaluate the best practices of the quality assessment of technology-aided learning and the overall influence of the gender issue. The issue of gender was affirmed by the study of Ong and Lai, (2006), which pointed out that women were significantly influenced by computer self-efficacies and the overall ease of using the process. Also, mens decisions were informed by usage decisions and their overall perceptions of the overall usefulness of the technology learning process. Additionally, Terzis and Economides, (2011), noted that e-learning usage in diverse contexts, such as universities, schools and organisations, identified that males had significantly higher positive perceptions pertaining to e-learning as opposed to females.

      It is evident that e-learning has significantly altered the higher education pedagogical approach leading to significant changes from past learning concepts (AlHamad, 2020; AlHamad & AlHammadi, 2018; Al Hamad, 2016; Al- Maroof et al., 2019; Salloum et al., 2018). As a consequence, leveraging from a substantial appreciation of user acceptance processes and offering learners with an opportunity for successful adoption and implementation of an e-learning system. One of the approaches that can be adopted is that of total service quality, as proposed by Dominici and Palumbo, (2013), which identified customers perceptions on the distinction of the projected service and the expected service. This introduces the concept of service quality as the prevailing difference between the expectation of a customer in terms of the encountered services and the overall received service. The SERVQUAL scale is used to measure service quality as the difference between the service expectations and perceptions of different customers.

      SERVQUAL is a scale which is comprised of a total of twenty-two items that are divided into five primary dimensions, namely, tangible, reliable, responsive, assurance and empathy. This study employed a modified and improved SERVQUAL instrument that was aligned with the UAE education system. The studys focus evaluated the significant roles of the different dimensions of the learners satisfaction and their future intentions in enrolling in online courses. As a consequence, the results of this current study may be instrumental in generating appropriate technological factors that offer realistic insights into the successful implementation of the systems embedded within technology learning.

      The First objective of this study was to investigate the impact of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and e-learning Effectiveness (ELE) on the Continuance Use Intention (CUI). The second objective of this study was to test the mediating effect of the Perceived Satisfaction (SAT) between the Perceived Usefulness and e-learning Effectiveness with the Continuance Use Intention. And finally, the third objective of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of gender on the mediated relationship of the PU and ELE on the CUI.

   2. LITERATURE REVIEW (12 BOLD)

      1. Service Quality

         Service is identified as an intangible product that is not owned or stored but is found to exist at a time and a place that meets or exceeds the customers expectations (Wang et al., 2014; Alleman et al., 2010; Oliveira & Roth, 2012). The distinction in the quality of the service is identified by the extent and pathway of discrepancy or the prevailing gap between the customers expectations and their perceptions of service. To substantiate this claim, Senthilkumar and Arulraj, (2011), examined the different measurements of service quality representing the degree and direction of discrepancy, or the existing gap between the customers expectations and their perceptions of a particular service. Furthermore, the measurement of service quality has been illustrated to range from ideal quality to totally unacceptable quality, with some point between being representative of a satisfactory level of quality. This measurement is contrary to the study of Kuo et al., (2009), which pointed out that the position of customers perceptions of service quality on the continuum is dependent on the discrepancy nature existing between the projected service and the one perceived by the client. Hence, customers expectations may be higher than their perceptions, the perceived service quality may be less than satisfactory, thus, customer dissatisfaction may occur. Also, lower expectations than perceptions may lead to the perceived service qualit being considered satisfactory. Taking this into consideration, it is essential to distinguish the best service quality tool that can be adopted to identify the level of satisfaction and success of a specific phenomenon, such as, the shift from traditional to contemporary learning systems.

         Service quality is a concept derived from customer satisfaction with customer satisfaction exerting a strong influence on purchasing intentions as compared to service quality. As noted by Wang et al., (2014), the concept of service quality should be approached from the perspective of a client, since values, groups of assessment and circumstances are significantly different. In this context Prentice, (2013), argued that customers perceive it to be more challenging to evaluate the quality of services as opposed to evaluating the quality of products. This was opposed by the study of Naik et al., (2010), which argued that service quality fails in integrating all of the final products and services but is significantly engaged in active production and the process of delivering, thus, ensuring that the involvement in the employment process is instrumental. In regard to total service quality, Kumar et al., (2010), identified it as the customers perception of the prevailing differences between the projected service and the perceived service delivery. This narrative is actively supported by Kumar et al., (2012), the author of the Gap Analysis Model that demonstrated an integrated view of the consumer- company relationship. Additionally, the value-based model of service quality proposed by Naik et al., (2010), generated a suggestion on the adoption of the perceived ideal standard compared to the service experienced.

      2. Continuous Use Intention in e-Learning

         In contemporary e-learning systems implemented in the education sector, distinct models exist which are used to measure satisfaction and the Continuance Use Intention of the provided services (Salloum et al., 2019b; Salloum & Shaalan, 2018). As noted by de Melo Pereira et al., (2015), the relevance of the Continuance Use Intention is to guide institutions to depict the desire for the progressive establishment of employees, the dissemination process and training activities management, rationalizing and increased spending on training, the sufficiency of skills development of the employees and service delivery improvement. This was supported by the study of Roca et al., (2006), that described the Technology Acceptance Model which demonstrated behaviors on the attitudes, and a description of the overall positive or negative views, on specific behavior and subject norms that assess the overall social pressures of people tasked with performing, or not performing particular actions. According to this model, the primary drivers that determine technology acceptance include the perceived usefulness and the perceived ease of use. In this context, Palacios-Marques et al., (2013), noted that the perceived usefulness is identified as the degree to which an individual holds the belief of using a specific system that enhances their overall job performance with the perceived ease of use. This expresses the extent of an individuals belief that the adoption of distinct systems can be free from any form of interference from any physical and mental efforts. Hence, it can be argued that the entire perceived usefulness and their ease of use can be characterized by direct influences. Also, the ease of use has a direct influence on an individuals attitude of using a particular system with the determination of the behavioral intention that leads to actual system adoption. In the context of the UAE, Al-Hawari and

         Mouakket, (2010), observed that the TAM model enhanced the satisfaction and user retention rates within the UAE education system. As such, instead of adopting regular quality factors, the use of the TAM model would positively contribute to an improved understanding of the best practice in building quality education. Nevertheless, there exists limited literature that has evaluated the adoption of TAM in the UAE education sector as the majority of the literature has been in the area of marketing. Prior literature is limited despite the increased demand for e-learning in the UAE education system and the need to utilise e-learning in complementing the traditional approaches of teaching in universities. This study aims to bridge the gap by developing a comprehensive model linking all the issues of the TAM model inclusive of all of the external issues related to the satisfaction of learners and the overall retention rates in the environment of blackboard systems.

         Nevertheless, the results can, be more effective when integrated with the Student Management Teams (SMT) suggested by Petkari, (2015), as a strategy of establishing a continuous communication channel, with the aim of improving the learning experiences with the responsibility to enhance the process of learning which is distributed among the learners and educators. The model is in line with Cidral et al., (2018), the D & M Model comprised of the constructs of theory and was inclusive of factors such as the quality of the system, the quality of information, their ease of use, the satisfaction of the users, personal impacts and the impact to the organization. Furthermore, system quality significantly corresponded to the aspects of technological characteristics, issues of performance, usability levels and the system.

      3. Gender and e-Learning Use and Experience in the Education Sector

         From the reviewed studies, it is evident that women display increased computer anxieties with reduced levels, in terms of self-efficacies and computer self-efficacies, for the internet and computer accessories (Ong & Lai, 2006). In this regard, men are rated as more efficient than women in computer self-efficacy. In regard to the existing relationship between computer self-efficacy, they prevails the critical influence of self-efficacies on the expectations of distinct outcomes which have been empirically examined in past studies (Terzis & Economides, 2011). From an e-learning context, Navimipour and Zareie, (2015), argued that the Perceived Usefulness is a reflection of the individual beliefs or expectations on an outcome, and making a suggestion on the computer self-efficacy is a critical factor influencing the Perceived Usefulness. Additionally, Terzis and Economides, (2011), argued the existence of critical differences between men and women pertaining to the perceptions and effects on the relationships among the constructs. These constructs end up influencing the behavioral intentions of using computers and the e-learning results. This phenomenon exists despite the limited information on the gender gap towards the moderating effect of gender on the relationships between the existing variables that are critical on behavioral intentions and levels of acceptance. Therefore, it can be noted that there

         exists a direct relationship between the gender-based differences in decision-making behavior. In this since, there exists sufficient literature supporting the existence of gender-based differences in decision-making behavior. In recent research, Liaw and Huang, (2011), argued that the process and social factors increasingly motivate women more as opposed to their men counterparts. Hence, in the current research, an evaluation of the extent to which computer self-efficacy leads to an increase in the salience of perceptions of the usefulness and ease of use in an e-learning context. This is the primary area of the current study where the role of gender is examined in improving the e-learning self-efficacy in the UAE education sector.

         Additionally, past studies have evaluated the issue of gender differences in the perception of the usefulness of computer technologies, the findings have noted that male college students evaluated computers as being more useful, as opposed to female students (Padilla-Meléndez et al., 2013; Tselios et al., 2011). Further, the study of Orfanou et al., (2015, found that men had a positive consideration on the Perceived Usefulness to a significant extent, as compared to women in decision making. This decision making, on account of the usefulness of the productivity-related issues of new technology, noted that men were identified as being more driven and influenced by instrumental factors as opposed to their female counterparts. Nevertheless, there is a lack of sufficient data in the context of the UAE education system, and this forms a critical area of this study where the influence of Perceived Usefulness on behavioral intentions is evaluated with the intention to use e-learning more strongly, for men as opposed to women. This also includes the focus on the behavioral intention to use e-learning as part of a computer-assisted learning process.

      4. Mediating Role of Perceived Satisfaction on Continuance Use Intention

      Past studies have concluded that service quality has a direct influence on driving a customers perceived value (Howat & Assaker, 2013; Yu et al., 2014). In the event that a customer spends fewer resources, time and energy as opposed to the service quality received, then, the customer will perceive a high value of service. This means that the higher the level of service offered to the customers, the higher the overall customers perceived value. Perceived value is equally perceived as a critical predictor or elicitor of customer satisfaction. According to Ryu and Han, (2010), in the event that a customer receives a high value of service, the outcome of this is high satisfaction. Additionally, the perceived value is equally deduced as a mediating and moderating construct between the service quality and the level of customer satisfaction. Hence from the review of the literature, it can be concluded that the Perceived Satisfaction plays a critical role in the Continuance Use Intention.

      On the basis of the theory of social exchange, it can be argued that users consistently gain specific benefits or value in a brand community, which holds, provided that there is a willingness of users in their operations. In this regard, Han et al., (2018), proposed that the users experience and the

      perception of individuals interests significantly influence the continuance of the intention, and the overall behavior of the consumption of purchasing which is identified as a user intention. The user of a specific commodity or service actively engages in distinct interactions which are aimed at making recognition on the benefits accrued from the consumption or purchase of a specific commodity. This view was supported by the study of Kruger et al. (2015), which focused on service recovery in the cell phone industry. The study observed that other than the significant positive relationships between the cell phone users relationship intentions; the perceived service recovery played an instrumental mediating role in the relationship between intention and satisfaction.

   3. METHODOLOGY

      1. Sample Selection and Data Collection

         The primary technique of collecting data was through a questionnaire survey which was distributed to full-time business students at the University of Sharjah, UAE. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and 350 students returned the questionnaire. Therefore a return rate of 70% was yielded. Nine of the questionnaires that were returned

         were identified as not being completely answered and were therefore not usable. Thus, the actual total usable questionnaires numbered 341 which yielded a response rate of 68%.

      2. Measurement Development

         The study survey comprised two main sections. The first section requested demographic data from the respondents, such as gender, age, educational level, and nationality. While the second section referred to the main constructs of the study and was measured by closed questions whose responses were anchored on a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from, strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1). The variables of the study are described as follows:

         The Perceived Usefulness construct was operationalized by using three items adopted from (Chou, 2014), the e- Learning Effectiveness construct was measured by using three items adopted from (Chou, 2014), The Perceived Satisfaction construct was measured by using four items adopted from (Chou, 2014) , and finally, the construct of Continuance Usage Intention was operationalized by using six items adopted from (Chang, 2010).

         Gender

         H1 H6 & H7

         PU

         H3 H4 & H5

         SAT CUI

         H2

         ELE

         Figure 1, theoretical framework

         The study framework, as shown in Fig. 1, tests the direct and indirect effects of the selected variables on the Continuance Use Intention. There are three direct effects and two indirect effects. These effects were tested simultaneously in a single model. The direct and indirect effects are represented in the following equations: –

         CUIi = 0 + 1PUi + 2ELEi + 3SATi + ui (1)

         CUIi = 0 + 1PUi + 2ELEi + 3SATi + vi (2)

         1 5

         1 5

         where CUI is the Continuance Use Intention, PU is the Perceived Usefulness, ELE is the e-learning Effectiveness and SAT is the Perceived Satisfaction, 0 5 are the coefficients for the direct and indirect links respectively, and ui and vi are disturbance terms. Equation 1 shows the direct relationships between the independent variables and the Continuance Use Intention. Equation 2 shows the indirect effect of the two independent variables on the

         Continuance Use Intention through the Perceived Satisfaction. Further, equation 2 was run to test whether gender moderated the indirect effects of the PU and ELE on the CUI through the SAT.

         A structural equation model was used to estimate the path coefficients hypothesized in Figure 1. To do so, this study used the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method to examine the theoretical model using Smart PLS software, version 3.0. This statistical tool was chosen as it has the capability to analyze a complex model, as suggested by Hair et al. (2013). In this study, a two-step method was used to analyze the data. The first step involved analyzing the measurement model while the second step assessed the direct and indirect relationships between the variables. Essentially, this statistical analysis technique was used to determine the

         validity and reliability of the measures before examining the structural relationships of the theoretical model.

      3. Results and Data Analysis

         The aim of this paper was to study the impacts of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and e-learning Effectiveness (ELE) on the Continuance Use Intention (CUI) as well as studying the mediating effect of the Perceived Satisfaction (SAT) with the blackboard system between the PU and ELE on the CUI.

         In addition, this study aimed to investigate this model under the impact of the moderating effect of gender. In this section of the study, the results of the analysis conducted are discussed.

         Demographic Profile: Table 1 below shows the demographic profile of the respondents. The majority of the respondents were non-UAE citizens, females, aged between 18-20 years old, and between their third and fourth year of study. The demographic profile is representative of the UAEs population.

         Table 1: Demographic Profile.

         /tr>

         characteristic description	groups	frequency %
         gender	female	74.5
         	male	25.5
         age	18-20	50.1
         	21-26	48.7
         	above 26	1.2
         education	first year	9.4
         	second year	22.6
         	third year	37.8
         	fourth year	30.2
         nationality	uae	36.4
         	non uae	63.6

         Table 2 shows the mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis for all of the variables used in this study. The mean scores of all of the variables approached 4 points on the designated 5-point Likert scale, as indicated in the methodology. This suggests that, on average, the majority of the students agreed with the statements. The standard

         deviation indicated that there was variability among the respondents answers, which eliminated the possibility of inattentive respondents. The skewness and kurtosis suggest that the variables were within the limits of the assumed normal distribution. This indicated that the data were ready for the next level of the analysis.

         Table 2: Descriptive Statistics.

         variable	mean	standard deviation	skewness	kurtosis
         pu	3.99	.94	1.54	-1.34
         ele	3.81	.98	0.28	-0.81
         sat	3.88	.97	0.70	-0.99
         cui	3.94	.96	1.23	-1.25

         Source: authors estimation.

         This study measured the composite reliability in relation to internal validity and reliability. All of the factors had composite reliability values greater than 0.70. Individual item reliability with loading was greater than 0.70, as suggested by Hair et al., (2013). To measure the convergent validity, this study assessed the average variance extracted (AVE), which was above 0.50, indicating a satisfactory convergent validity. Henseler et al., (2009), postulated that the Cronbachs alpha value tends to underestimate the

         internal reliability. Hence, the Cronbachs alpha value for each construct was above 0.70, which signified the internal consistency of the study (Table 3). To assess the discriminant validity, the study considered the Fornell and Larcker, (1981), criterion; the square root of the AVE for each factor exceeded the inter-correlations of the factor with the other factors in the model (Table 4). The analysis ensured the discriminant validity of all of the constructs.

         Table 3 is in Appendix 1.

         Table 4: Discriminant Validity of Constructs

         constructs	pu	ele	sat	cui
         pu	0.94
         ele	0.83	0.93
         sat	0.86	0.74	0.92
         cui	0.87	0.81	0.85	0.87

         Table 5 summarizes the results of the model tested. The results suggested that the PU, ELE and the SAT were positively and significantly related to the CUI. This

         supported the theory which proposed that the PU, ELE and the SAT influenced the CUI positively.

         With regards to the mediating effect of the Perceived Satisfaction, it was apparent that the SAT mediated the positive link between both the PU and ELE with the CUI.

         Table 5: Results of the PLS Regression.

         hypothesis	relationship with sat	coefficient	t-value
         	pusat	0.54*	10.98
         	elesat	0.39*	7.70
         	relationship with cui
         p	pucui	0.44*	6.02
         p	elecui	0.17*	3.40
         p	satcui	0.33*	4.71
         	mediating relationship through sat
         h4	pusatcui	0.18*	4.63
         p	elesatcui	0.13*	3.73

         *significant at 1%.

         Source: authors estimation.

         Table 6 tested the moderated mediating hypothesis of gender in the proposed model. The results supported the hypothesis that gender had a moderating effect on the mediating effect of the SAT between the PU and ELE with the CUI. The impact of the PU and ELE was positive and significant on the CUI through the SAT and with the gender moderator. However, it was clear that the PU and ELE of female students had a greater impact on the CUI through the SAT when compared to male students.

         To test the relationships between the constructs, the partial least squares technique was applied to evaluate the structural model. The nonparametric bootstrapping technique was applied with 5000 resamples to test the model (Figure 3). The significant effects were identified by the structural model using the bootstrapping technique. The results in Table 5 suggest that the PU, ELE and the SAT were positively and significantly related to the Continuance Use Intention (1=0.44, p<0.001, 2=0.17, p<0.001, 3=0.33,

         p<0.001). This result supports hypotheses H1, H2 and H3

         since the coefficient is significant at less than the 1% level.

      4. Mediating Results Analysis

      With regard to the indirect relationship through the mediating variable, the results in Table 5 and Figures 2 and 3 are as follows. First, we found that once the Perceived Satisfaction was introduced as the mediator, both the Perceived Usefulness and e-learning Effectiveness appeared to be significant and had the correct sign (1=0.18, p<0.001

      and 2=0.13, p<0.001). This result supported hypotheses H4 and H5. This means that both the PU and ELE showed

      an increase in their effect on the CUI once the users were satisfied. Importantly, after obtaining satisfactory findings for the measurement model, the study subsequently assessed the structural model. Here, the predictive accuracy of the structural model was evaluated with regards to the portion of the variance explained. The statistical results revealed that the structural model was capable of explaining 0.79 of the variance in the Perceived Satisfaction and 80% of the Continuance Use Intention (Figure 2). This approach ensured the models adequacy to predict the manifest indicators of the latent construct.

      Figure 2: Structural Model

      CUI is the Continuance Use Intention, PU is the Perceived Usefulness, ELE is e-learning Effectiveness and SAT is the Perceived Satisfaction. The numbers in the black circle indicate R-Squared. The numbers on the arrows connecting the variables represent the coefficients. The numbers on the arrows towards the yellow boxes represent the factor loadings. CUI is the Continuance Use Intention, PU is the Perceived Usefulness, ELE is e-learning Effectiveness and SAT is the Perceived Satisfaction. The numbers on the arrows connecting the variables on the arrows towards the yellow boxes represent the t-values.

      Table 6 below reports the mediating effect on the SAT on the CUI using gender as a moderator. The results indicate that for the male students the PU and ELE have a lower influence on the CUI through the SAT (1=0.16, p<0.001 and 2=0.11, p<0.001) compared to the female students (1=0.22, p<0.001 and 2=0.18, p<0.001), therefore, both hypotheses H6a,b and H7a,b were supported.

      Table 6: Results of the PLS Regression.

      0.22*

      hypothesis	mediating relationship through sat (female)	coefficient	t- value
      pa	pusatcui	2.83
      pb	elesatcui	0.18*	2.13
      	mediating relationship through sat (male)
      h7a	pusatcui	0.16*	3.90
      h7b	elesatcui	0.11*	3.60

      *significant at 1%.

      Source: authors estimation.

   4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

      This study focused on evaluating the impacts of the Perceived Usefulness (PU) and e-learning Effectiveness (ELE) on the Continuance Use Intention (CUI) as well as studying the mediating effect of the Perceived Satisfaction (SAT) with the blackboard system between the PU and ELE on the CUI. Also, the mediating role of gender was evaluated in this study. Despite the author only being able to capture data from a single group of respondents (business students

      at Sharjah University), the study findings demonstrate that e-learning Effectiveness can be evaluated using the SERVQUAL (Service) dimension. In this study, it was noted that the PU and ELE have a direct implication on the CUI with the Perceived Satisfaction playing the role of a mediating effect of the Perceived Satisfaction between the PU and ELE and the CUI. These findings supported the findings of Senthilkumar and Arulraj, (2011), which indicated that the measurement of service quality represents the degree and direction of discrepancies or the gap that exists in the expectations of clients and the overall perceptions pertaining to a specific service provision.

      The analysis results confirmed hypotheses H1, H2, H3, H4 and H5 which included that the PU has a direct relationship with the CUI, that ELE influences the CUI, the SAT has a direct relationship with the CUI, and that the SAT plays a mediating role on the PU and the CUI with the SAT equally mediating ELE with the CUI. Accordingly, the reviewed respondents observed that they had high Perceived Usefulness in a stabilized, easy, in terms of ease of use, technology aided learning environment. Also, the sourced results identified that the students involved in online learning possessed a reduced expectation on the level of interaction during the e-learning process and were thus highly dependent on others for empathy.

      Issues of reliability fail to influence the ELE and also the mediating role of the SAT and gender issues. An element of the e-learning Effectiveness has been identified as being the limitation of the successful recognition of the different influences of the students perception. This is informed by the view that offering quality content and continuous development of the teaching approach ensures that students are comprehensively engaged and motivated in the learning process. Prompt feedback has been ranked as being the top priority by learners for appropriate academic experience.

      The Perceived Usefulness is always improved when there is information that is general and nonspecific that brings added value to the e-learning course offered. Nevertheless, there are strategies that have been identified to improve the quality and design of the learning environment. These are aimed at

      improving the e-learning quality and increasing the level of the learners satisfaction as well as the overall outcomes. Part of this would include facilitating and motivating all of the involved students to play a contributory purpose in leveraging fresh competencies and new knowledge creation in an appropriate manner. Also, the learners could actively become involved in authentic learning processes and practices, thereby, encouraging an active learning process and developing the learners overall capabilities instead of simply recalling concepts and information. This is shown by the high-level concepts that formed part of the current study which guided, to what extent the low placed success factors of the e-learning are directly involved in influencing the ELQ perception of the students and are inclusive of the level of the students motivation and experiences.

      In regard to policy recommendations, there is a need to create system support which is pervasive, since the majority of e-learners lack formal training on how to use a specific e- learning approach. This recommendation could be implemented by integrating more resources into the user- interface design or by training all of the users in order to enhance their Continuance Use Intention as this is influenced by their levels of satisfaction. Students should have greater exposure to e-learning systems which would elicit a positive influence, based on the computer self- efficacy levels of other users. This recommendation can be implemented flexibly by providing access to available resources and information when and where is most convenient to individual students rather for the educator or the institution. This could include enhanced access to teaching resources through online platforms, the adoption of communication tools, online assessment, classroom technologies and sourcing prompt feedback. These recommendations are based on the fact that e-learning has direct implications on supporting the view to continue the learning process and also transferring the learning process beyond the walls of an educational institution, and as such, evidencing the presence of an elaborate linkage between technology aided learning and individual learning which is critical for all of the stakeholders in the education sector.

      Furthermore, this research recommends that UAE higher education institutions need to leverage sustainable e- learning opportunities which could enhance the satisfaction levels and Continuance Use Intentions of technology-aided learning for students. The primary areas of focus should include resource management which evaluates the cost of the e-learning process with multiple strategies and approaches being adopted by institutions to improve the level of cost-effectiveness, the efficacy of progress, the level of the economies of scale and the overall scope of operations. Also, the factor of educational attainment should also be considered as a separate domain, focusing on the different measures of learner achievement, the retention rates of the stakeholders and the level of skill acquisition. The process should also include the factors of individual development and evidence of benefits, quality perceptions, and the usability of modern technologies and the overall performance of the students. Finally, professional

      development and the innovativeness segment need to be prioritized, in terms of the level of sustainability. This is an effective commitment towards the consistent improvement and the active adaptation of the change process, training and developing the educators, transforming the institutions and the level of educational leadership.

      In terms of theoretical recommendations, there is a need to conduct a further study that expands on the group of respondents to include educators and other stakeholders. This would ensure that the sourced data has a broader context rather than just being one-dimensional (i.e., the single reference of the students). Also, future studies could adopt the use of real-time technology as part of their research model which could realistically enhance an increasingly comprehensive evaluation regarding the adaptability of e- learning opportunities despite the changing learning environment.

      A conclusion section must be included and should indicate clearly the advantages, limitations, and possible applications of the paper. Although a conclusion may review the main points of the paper, do not replicate the abstract as the conclusion. A conclusion might elaborate on the importance of the work or suggest applications and extensions.

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Appendix 1

Table 3. Result of CFA for Measurement Model