Validating innovating practice and perceptions of course management system solutions using structural equation modeling

As adopting information and communications technology to deliver instruction and facilitate learning, course management systems (CMSs) offer an alternative capability to enhance management practices. Based on innovation diffusion theory, this study explores CMS effectiveness (EF) and reliability (RL), and considers both perceived innovative attributes (IA) and demographic characteristics. This study also exams the moderating effect of complexity (CX) and mediating effect of function evaluation (FE) on the causal relationship between IA and outcome variables (i.e., EF, RL). Analysis also includes the differential effects of three types of CMSs and gender differences. Participants were 238 undergraduates, majored in business or management, who volunteered to complete an online survey. Results show that perceived IA affect RL and EF, but not FE. CX moderates the effect of perceived IA on RL, but does not moderate the effects of perceived IA on FE and EF. EF, but not FE, appears to mediate the effects of perceived IA on RL. There is no significant difference in model fit between genders, but there is among the type of CMS solution group. Conclusions and implications are offered regarding the future research for program leaders and practitioners. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014