Predicting information-seeking intention in academic digital libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine and predict users’ information-seeking intention regarding academic digital library services, using the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach – Data are collected from 224 Taiwanese undergraduate and graduate students to assess the influence of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control on the intention to seek information in an academic digital library. The results of structural equation model-fitting analyses show that the TPB is better than the TRA in predicting the information-seeking intention in an academic digital library. Findings – Specially, the empirical results indicated that perceived behavioral control is a better predictor of behavioral intention than is attitude or subjective norm. Research limitations/implications – This paper assessed self-reported information-seeking intention as part of the survey and, as a result, could have introduced inaccuracies. Practical implications – The findings of the paper will help academic digital libraries to address the key factor which influences users’ intention to seek information and to intensify their performance to meet user needs. Originality/value – Although the nature of the user experience in the digital environment appears to be quite different from the experience of looking through archival boxes or folders, research on the use of academic digital library services is scarce – particularly regarding user intention in the process of seeking information. The TRA and TPB are novel and usable in explaining the intention of online users to seek information, and these findings may be generally applicable to academic digital libraries and users.