Published Paper Details:

This study investigates the adoption of online education platforms for skill development among working professionals in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The research aims to understand the influence of key factors such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions on the adoption of these platforms. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire distributed to 200 working professionals across various sectors, including information technology, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. The questionnaire measured the respondents' perceptions of the aforementioned constructs on a 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, normality tests, and regression analysis to assess the relationships between the constructs and their impact on the adoption of online education platforms. The findings reveal that all proposed hypotheses were supported, demonstrating that Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions significantly influence Behavioural Intention, which in turn, strongly predicts actual use behaviour. Performance Expectancy was identified as the most influential factor, underscoring the importance of emphasizing the practical benefits and outcomes of online education platforms. The study also highlights the necessity for user-friendly interfaces, the role of social influence through peer recommendations, and the importance of adequate support systems in facilitating adoption.