E-book technology: The relationship between self-efficacy and usage levels across gender and age

Technology can have a polarizing effect; people either like it or hate it. Those who shun one innovation will quickly embrace another. An example is E-book technology. This technology has helped to change the form of information. E-book technology includes dedicated portable E-book reading devices that display electronic text also referred to as digital documents that can be viewed on Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), E-book readers, and undedicated devices such as Tablet PCs, laptops and desktop PCs. E-book technology has experienced some successful growth but it has been slower than anticipated. E-books usually contain their manufacturer's own proprietary software format, with varying amounts of functionality and their use assumes some computer literacy and the ability to access and use the Internet. The lack of uniformity and prerequisite skills may lead to consumer confusion, thereby decreasing end users' levels of self-efficacy and usage. This study investigates the relationship among self-efficacy, usage levels and E-book technology acceptance of working professionals in the home or office environment based on age and gender. The research participants for this study were members of three Yahoo! Group user forums. Findings from this study include the following: (a) there is a statistically significant difference in the usage level of e-book technology by professionals across age groups; (b) there is no statistically significant difference in the usage level of e-book technology by professionals between genders; (c) there is no statistically significant difference in the self-efficacy level of professionals using e-book technology across age groups; and (d) there is a statistically significant difference in the self-efficacy level of professionals using e-book technology between genders.