Assessment of factors influencing continued electronic learning management system usage among higher education institutions in Tanzania

The main purpose of this study was to assess factors that influence continued Electronic Learning Management System (ELMS) among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Tanzania. Specifically, it focused on how the top management contributed to system usage, explored facilitating factors that influence continued ELMS usage and also sought to determine the extent of perceived importance and ease of use contribution made to ELSM usage a going concern.The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study. It was carried out at five HEIs, namely University of Dar es Salaam, Muhimbili University of health and Allied Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Mzumbe University and Herbert Kairuki Memorial University. Data were collected using questionnaires with close-ended questions. A total of 264 questionnaires were collected then entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme. Then statistical analysis was performed that involved descriptive and multiple regression analyses.Study findings revealed that perceived importance (p=0.0001) and perceived ease to use (p=0.0001) had significant correlation with ELMS continued usage intentions. Therefore, it can be accepted that perceived importance and perceived ease of use have power to predict ELMS continued usage intentions in the visited institutions. But, organization management support (p=0.191) and different analyzed factors (p=0.818) did not significantly predict ELMS continued usage intentions. The findings imply that HEIs have a need to strengthen and create awareness through seminars/workshops/training programmes to ensure users are updated though it may be mandatory to use and continually use ELMS. Notwithstanding with the technological changes, knowledge sharing from HEIs would be improved given searching for funds to finance the technology for its sustainability. There is also a need to involve all education stakeholders for further sensitization on continued ELMS usage. Moreover a longitudinal study is called across multiple HEIs including all ELMS users, also ICT policy should be developed in the HEIs considering all inputs from the perceived ease of use and perceived importance.