Students’ Intention to Use of Pirated Software in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P. G. Munasinghe, Pemarathna · SSRN Electronic Journal · 2017
In the current context, use of pirated software is increasing and it is becoming a critical issue to the economy of the world. Though use of pirated software is an unethical and illegal activity most of the university students addict to use that type of software using various methods. It is not clear of reasons of using pirated software by students. This study examines the students’ intention to use of pirated software among university students in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL). Pilot phase reveals that 96% of students of the RUSL use pirated software. Based on the result of former studies self-administrative questionnaire was developed. Data were collected from 142 students using purposive sampling technique of the faculties Applied Sciences, Management Studies and Social Sciences and Humanities in RUSL. Research Model was developed on software piracy including Intension to use pirated software as dependent variable and Computer Experience, Attitudes, Awareness, Social Influence and Moral Obligation as independent variables. The results reveal that Computer Experience, Attitudes, Awareness of software and Social Influence positively affected to the use of pirated software while Moral obligation is negatively affected. Students should be enlightened about the consequences of use of pirated software to the economy of the country. Also, they should be informed that use of pirated software is an illegal activity. Results of this study is limited to undergraduates of Mihintale premises of RUSL and to generalize and validate the results more researches are needed with wider sample of selecting all national universities in Sri Lanka and selecting students who belong to other domains.