The Learning Experience of Accounting Students on a Cloud-Based Enterprise Resource Planning System as Affected by System Complexity and System Anxiety: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

As technology advances and the business environment evolves, academic institutions undergo rapid and significant transformations. This ongoing change has created an urgent need for universities to continuously update their academic programs to keep pace with the latest developments. A notable example is the integration of training in a cloud-based enterprise resource planning system software widely used in the industry. This study focused on assessing accounting students’ training experience as affected by the system complexity and system anxiety. Employing a quantitative research design, structured survey questionnaires were used to collect primary data from 208 student-trainees. Data gathered were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Results reveal that system anxiety is significantly affected by the complexity of the system but not the trainee's prior experience with similar software. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between system anxiety and learning experience. This study concludes with the crucial role that hands-on training plays in enhancing students' practical skills and confidence in using advanced ERP systems.