Factors influencing the adoption of ChatGPT for innovation generation : a moderated analysis of innovation capability and gender using UTAUT2 framework

This study aimed to examine the adoption of ChatGPT for innovation generation among students and explore the moderating effects of innovation capability and gender using the UTAUT2 framework. A cross-sectional design was used, collecting data through a structured questionnaire from 446 public university students in Ghana using convenience sampling. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyse the data. The results revealed that hedonic motivation, social influence, and performance expectancy had a statistically significant positive effect on behavioral intention, which in turn significantly affected use behavior. Effort expectancy and facilitating conditions had a positive but statistically insignificant effect on behavioral intention, while facilitating conditions negatively impacted use behavior. Additionally, gender and innovation capability significantly moderated the relationship between facilitating conditions and behavioral intention. Educational institutions and technology providers should design interventions considering hedonic motivation, social influence, and performance expectancy. These interventions should aim to improve facilitating conditions, which are gender-sensitive. Recognising the moderating role of innovation capability, organisations should focus on developing and enhancing innovation capabilities among their members by providing training programs, fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation, and allocating resources towards innovation initiatives. This study contributes to the literature by advancing research on AI adoption in higher education, particularly focusing on critical factors influencing innovation generation through the use of ChatGPT.