Factors Influencing University Students’ Continuance Intentions towards Self-Directed Learning Using Artificial Intelligence Tools: Insights from Structural Equation Modeling and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis

This study investigates the intricate causal mechanisms of university students’ sustained use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for self-directed learning (SDL) within the theoretical framework of self-determination theory (SDT). Employing a convenience sampling strategy, 387 university students from China were included in the study. Methodologically, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM) for the measurement and causal analysis, and we employed fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) for the configurational analysis. The research results emphasize several important insights. Perceived usefulness, intrinsic motivation, and satisfaction play important roles in encouraging university students’ continuance intentions. Satisfaction emerges as a pivotal mediator, bridging the connection between perceived usefulness, intrinsic motivation, and continuance intention. The system quality, the information quality, and social interaction have significant positive influences on perceived usefulness. Perceived autonomy and perceived competence display strong correlations with both intrinsic motivation and satisfaction. Moreover, the results from the fsQCA show five configurations, in which the key factors collectively shape students’ continuance intentions through complex interactions through various configurations. The findings reveal diverse configurations by which university students form continuance intentions towards using AI tools for SDL, providing detailed insights into the profound and indirect impacts on forming continuance intention behaviors. This enriches and advances the current theoretical understanding.