Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach

The Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, popularly referred to as ChatGPT, is an AI-based technology with the potential to revolutionise conventional teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, it remains unclear which factors influence the behavioural intentions and...

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Main Authors: Iddrisu Salifu, Francis Arthur, Valentina Arkorful, Sharon Abam Nortey, Richard Solomon Osei-Yaw
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2300177
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author Iddrisu Salifu
Francis Arthur
Valentina Arkorful
Sharon Abam Nortey
Richard Solomon Osei-Yaw
author_facet Iddrisu Salifu
Francis Arthur
Valentina Arkorful
Sharon Abam Nortey
Richard Solomon Osei-Yaw
author_sort Iddrisu Salifu
collection DOAJ
description The Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, popularly referred to as ChatGPT, is an AI-based technology with the potential to revolutionise conventional teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, it remains unclear which factors influence the behavioural intentions and the actual usage of ChatGPT among economics students in Ghanaian HEIs. In pursuit of this goal, we employed the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to gain a better understanding of the antecedents influencing the behavioural intentions and actual usage of ChatGPT among economics students. The study surveyed 306 Ghanaian students enrolled in economics at a public university. These students were aware of the existence of ChatGPT applications. We applied a hybrid analytical approach, combining structural equation modelling and artificial neural network (SEM-ANN), to elucidate the causal relationships between variables believed to impact perceived trust, intentions, and actual usage. The results showed that design and interactivity have a significant impact on perceived trust. Similarly, perceived trust, social influence, performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and habits drive behavioural intentions. Among the various factors influencing behavioural intentions, hedonic motivation emerged as the most dominant. Moreover, behavioural intentions and facilitating conditions significantly drive students’ actual use of the ChatGPT. Nevertheless, ethics is not a significant factor in perceived trust, and effort expectancy does not affect behavioral intention. These findings, however, offer theoretical and practical contributions that can serve as guide for a thoughtful and responsible integration of AI-based tools as a future strategy to enhance education accessibility and inclusivity opportunities
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spelling doaj-art-80a7eda3d9044dc3a5ce2b052c0611c52025-08-20T03:46:54ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862024-12-0110110.1080/23311886.2023.2300177Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approachIddrisu Salifu0Francis Arthur1Valentina Arkorful2Sharon Abam Nortey3Richard Solomon Osei-Yaw4School of Economics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaDepartment of Business and Social Sciences Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaCollege of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaDepartment of Business and Social Sciences Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaInformation and Communication Technology Directorate, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, GhanaThe Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, popularly referred to as ChatGPT, is an AI-based technology with the potential to revolutionise conventional teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, it remains unclear which factors influence the behavioural intentions and the actual usage of ChatGPT among economics students in Ghanaian HEIs. In pursuit of this goal, we employed the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to gain a better understanding of the antecedents influencing the behavioural intentions and actual usage of ChatGPT among economics students. The study surveyed 306 Ghanaian students enrolled in economics at a public university. These students were aware of the existence of ChatGPT applications. We applied a hybrid analytical approach, combining structural equation modelling and artificial neural network (SEM-ANN), to elucidate the causal relationships between variables believed to impact perceived trust, intentions, and actual usage. The results showed that design and interactivity have a significant impact on perceived trust. Similarly, perceived trust, social influence, performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and habits drive behavioural intentions. Among the various factors influencing behavioural intentions, hedonic motivation emerged as the most dominant. Moreover, behavioural intentions and facilitating conditions significantly drive students’ actual use of the ChatGPT. Nevertheless, ethics is not a significant factor in perceived trust, and effort expectancy does not affect behavioral intention. These findings, however, offer theoretical and practical contributions that can serve as guide for a thoughtful and responsible integration of AI-based tools as a future strategy to enhance education accessibility and inclusivity opportunitieshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2300177Artificial neural networkbehavioural intentionChatGPTeconomics studentshigher educationhybrid PLS-SEM
spellingShingle Iddrisu Salifu
Francis Arthur
Valentina Arkorful
Sharon Abam Nortey
Richard Solomon Osei-Yaw
Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach
Cogent Social Sciences
Artificial neural network
behavioural intention
ChatGPT
economics students
higher education
hybrid PLS-SEM
title Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach
title_full Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach
title_fullStr Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach
title_full_unstemmed Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach
title_short Economics students’ behavioural intention and usage of ChatGPT in higher education: a hybrid structural equation modelling-artificial neural network approach
title_sort economics students behavioural intention and usage of chatgpt in higher education a hybrid structural equation modelling artificial neural network approach
topic Artificial neural network
behavioural intention
ChatGPT
economics students
higher education
hybrid PLS-SEM
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2300177
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