Who Will Continue Using MOOCs in the Future? Personality Traits Perspective

Abstract

Personality traits may play a significant role in understanding human-computer interactions. This research adopted the personality traits perspective to explain the variances in the intention to continue using MOOCs (ICM), taking motivational and cultural aspects into account. The research used system justification and psychological reactance theories to hypothesize these relationships. It analyzed professional adults from a High-Power Distance context (i.e., Saudi Arabia, n=212) and a Low Power Distance context (i.e., Spain, n=136) using Structural Equation Modelling. Power distance comes as a negative moderator on the impact of internal motivation in the ICM and of extraversion in ICM, and the mediated effect of the internal motivation on the relationship between agreeableness and ICM. However, it comes as a positive moderator on the effect of extraversion in internal motivation and the effect of conscientiousness in the ICM. This research has several implications regarding the design of MOOCs for different personalities in dissimilar cultures.