Investigating the Influence of User Training on the Adoption of Desktop Open Source Software: A Case of Students in Selected Universities in Kenya

Abstract

The adoption of Open Source Software (OSS) has been increasing in some regions, while proprietary software remains dominant in many African countries. This study examines the role of user training as a facilitating condition for OSS adoption among university students in Kenya, with job market demands serving as a moderator. Using the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the research explores how user training influences OSS adoption and whether job market demand for OSS skills affects this relationship. The research adopted a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 384 students identified through snowballing technique. This sample was drawn from 5 randomly selected Kenyan universities. Data were collected using questionnaires with Likert scale questions and analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics (medians, modes) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis). This study examined the relationships between User Training, OSS Adoption, and Job Market Demands using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. Descriptive results indicated limited OSS training (median = 2.00) but high perceived job market demands for OSS skills (median = 4.00). Correlation analyses revealed weak, non-significant relationships among the three variables. Regression analysis found no significant direct effect of User Training on OSS Adoption (B = 0.158, p = .117, R² = 0.006). Additionally, Job Market Demands did not moderate this relationship (B = -0.020, p = .230, ∆R² = 0.001). These findings suggest that training alone may not drive OSS adoption, highlighting the need for broader systemic factors, which future research should explore. To foster greater OSS adoption, interventions should combine user training with strategies that address barriers to adoption and align with users' specific needs. The study underscores the importance of developing a deeper understanding of OSS, especially among individuals who acknowledge its job market value but are not sufficiently motivated to adopt it on their own.