ACCEPTANCE LEVEL OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONALS FOR ADOPTING E-LEARNING COURSES FOR UPGRADING DIGITAL SKILL SETS - DRIVERS AND BARRIERS

Abstract

This study discusses the importance of Built Environment (BE) professionals upgrading themselves with the relevant digital skill sets in the face of strong global competition and digitalization. The study also notes that e-learning has been emerging as a new way of training employees, making the digital upgrading process more efficient and economically viable. This study aims to assess the attitudes and perceptions of BE professionals towards e-learning courses for digital upskilling and identify the drivers and barriers that influence one’s acceptance level of such e-learning courses. Thereafter, recommendations are proposed to drive the adoption of such courses.

This research utilizes a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis. To collate data, a questionnaire was distributed to BE professionals between the age of 22 to 64 years old across various social media platforms and messaging platforms. A total of 78 valid responses were collated. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted among six experienced industry professionals to gain deeper insights and validate the responses.

Statistical tests concluded that 92% of the respondents were willing to accept e-learning courses for the upgrading of digital skill sets. The study identified a total of 15 drivers that increased the acceptance level, with the top five drivers being the usefulness to a BE professional’s job scope, increased efficiency at work, potential pay increment, supportive work culture, and the convenience and flexibility of e-learning. The study also identified 10 significant barriers, with the top barriers being cost, compatibility issues with the work systems, and negative instructor characteristics.

This study concluded that acceptance of e-learning courses for digital upskilling depends on drivers and barriers that contribute to the Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) of such e-learning courses. With the majority of BE professionals welcoming the adoption of these e-learning courses, BE companies should explore the feasibility of offering such e-learning courses to upgrade the skills of BE professionals, ensuring that the BE sector does not lag behind in the digitalized society.