ICT adoption and cultural preservation among KadazanDusun community in Sabah, Malaysia

The KadazanDusun community faces significant challenges in preserving its cultural heritage as a result of modernization and globalization. This study aims to determine the impacts of ICT adoption on cultural preservation among the KadazanDusun community. This study was conducted in Penampang and Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia where majority of the KadazanDusun community reside. A mix method approach using sequential explanatory research design was employed to achieve the research objectives. The quantitative method was used to (i) measure the level of ICT adoption for cultural preservation among the KadazanDusun community, (ii) determine the relationship of ICT adoption and cultural preservation among the KadazanDusun community, (iii) identify the factors that influence the ICT adoption for cultural preservation among the KadazanDusun community, and (iv) examine the relationship between moderating variables such as gender and age in adopting ICT for cultural preservation. Descriptive analysis was used to describe data on demographic background, quantifying the mean of the factors of ICT adoption and its impacts on cultural preservation. Secondly, correlation and multiple regressions analysis was found to be the primary and suitable procedure, to identify the factors that influence the ICT adoption on the cultural preservation of the KadazanDusun community. Additionally, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted using PROCESS Macro for SPSS to test the relationship between moderating variables such as gender and age in adopting ICT for cultural preservation. Lastly, the qualitative method was used to explore the impacts of ICT adoption towards the culture of the KadazanDusun community. The findings showed the mean score of ICT adoption on cultural preservation is moderately good. The impacts of ICT adoption on cultural preservation showed the highest mean score on ethnic festival. All the factors of ICT adoption (Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions) were correlated with cultural preservation, with effort expectancy has the strongest correlation value. The findings suggested that social influence (SI) has the strongest significant influence compared to all the other four factors (β = 0.312, p = 0.000). Gender only influences the relationship between Effort Expectancy and cultural preservation, where male inclines to adopt ICT for its ease to preserve the culture compare to KadazanDusun female. The qualitative data revealed five main themes across the entire data set related to how ICT impacts on the cultural preservation which are (i) accessibility and dissemination, (ii) cultural promotion and preservation, (iii) cultural learning, (iv) intergenerational transmission, (v) community engagement and participation, and (vi) challenges. This study underscores the significant role of ICT in influencing various facets of cultural preservation, with social influence emerging as a crucial determinant. The study not only contributes nuanced insights into the relationship between ICT adoption and cultural preservation but also unveils gender-specific variations and the importance of addressing the digital divide in facilitating the adoption process.

Text 122747.pdf Download (1MB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://ethesis.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18649

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