Exploring e-learning adoption by employees in workplace learning: A UTAUT and SDT perspective

Abstract

The integration of various technologies is increasingly being used in organizational learning and development for skill and knowledge transfer. E-learning, which is a digital tool for skills transfer in the organizational setting, is primarily influenced by the individual's behavioral intentions to use the tool. The study aims to understand the factors that affect the employee’s intention to adopt e-learning in workplace training and development initiatives using the UTAUT and SDT models. The study adopted a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured interviews. The data was collected from 14 participants who have used elearning platforms as part of their workplace training and development initiatives. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis process. Findings from the study revealed that intrinsic motivational elements like autonomy, competence, and relatedness play a crucial role in driving intentions to use e-learning; technological features such as usability, gamification elements, and features that allow for social connections with peers are crucial for sustaining e-learning adoption. Moreover, organizational support through policies and incentives, leadership support, and available infrastructure emerge as vital facilitators of e-learning adoption. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of e-learning adoption processes and offers valuable insights for practitioners aiming to maximize the effectiveness and engagement of e-learning initiatives within the organizational contexts. In future research, it is recommended to consider age, gender, and experience as factors that may affect e-learning adoption. Additionally, it is important to investigate the impact of gamification on motivation and engagement and to explore its influence on learning outcomes. It is also important to integrate emerging technologies such as AI and VR into elearning platforms to enhance the learning experience. Lastly, it is recommended to explore innovative approaches to improve social connections on e-learning platforms, such as realtime collaboration tools or virtual spaces.