Examining the Effects of Habit and Self-Efficacy on Users’ Acceptance of a Map-Based Online Learning System via an Extended TAM

Digital maps have become important teaching and learning tools in education. However, limited research has examined the factors influencing learners’ acceptance of map-based online learning systems. This study proposes and validates an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that integrates two psychological constructs—habit and self-efficacy—into the original TAM framework to better explain students’ behavioural intention to use a map-based online learning system (Map-OLS). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to analyse data from 812 participants with prior online learning experience. The results indicated that perceived ease of use (PEoU) and perceived usefulness (PU) had direct positive effects on the behavioural intention to use Map-OLS. PEoU positively affected PU and indirectly influenced behavioural intention to use Map-OLS via PU. Both habit and self-efficacy had significantly positive influences on PEoU and PU. Self-efficacy also directly influenced the behavioural intention to use Map-OLS. This study makes a theoretical contribution by extending and empirically validating TAM in the context of map-based learning environments, while also offering practical insights for designing more engaging and effective online learning systems.