INVESTIGATING PERCEIVED QUALITY, USER ACCEPTANCE AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION OF SOLAR POWERED VENDING MACHINES IN AN EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT

Electrical Engineering and Technology

The development of renewable energy technologies in educational institutions is emerging as a key approach to embedding sustainability and mitigating energy consumption in higher education. This research presents a rigorous investigation into perceived quality, user acceptance, and behavioral intention related to the use of solar-powered vending machines developed at North Eastern Mindanao State University – Bislig Campus (NEMSU–Bislig). The study utilizes the Quality–Technology Acceptance Model (Q-TAM) to explore user adoption behavior based on quality and attitudes. A descriptive research design was implemented in this study using stratified random sampling to ensure equitable representation among participants (students, faculty, practitioners). In sum, seventy-seven (77) participants completed the questionnaire with their responses informing the findings of user perceptions of the solar-powered vending machines. The findings reveal that the vending machines were considered to have high ratings with respect to features (M = 4.56), attractiveness (M = 4.42), and serviceability (M = 4.29), signaling that the consumers understand and appreciate the quality and usability of the product. The respondents were also favorable in their acceptance of the product with mean scores on the perceived attribute of usefulness at 4.53 and ease of use at 4.52, suggesting that they agreed with the environmental benefits, convenience, and a move towards a new product design. This study bridges a gap in the empirical literature about solar-powered vending systems in higher education thereby confirming their potential as a novelty in sustainable campus infrastructures. Findings of the study add to best practices for academic administrators, policymakers, and developers interested in advancing renewable energy in a higher education context.

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