Adoption and effective use of management information systems in Chinese higher education (faculty attitudes, motivations and barriers): evidence from Hebei province

Abstract Digitalization of the work of higher education has intensified so much that Management Information Systems (MIS) are now needed to facilitate the work of the administration and help the academic decision-making. MIS have become essential tools for administrative and academic operations in Chinese higher education institutions, yet their effective use by faculty and staff remains uneven and underexplored. The paper explores the implementation and successful utilization of MIS by the faculty and staff members in the institutions of Chinese higher learning in terms of attitudes, motivation, and the perceived obstacles. Based on a combined model of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and DeLone and McLean IS Success Model, the survey results were obtained involving 368 respondents in 15 institutions of Hebei Province. Descriptive statistics were analyzed with software SPSS, and SmartPLS was used to perform a structural equation model. The findings indicate that performance expectancy and social influence are strong predictors of effective MIS use, whereas facilitating conditions and performance expectancy are strong predictors of user satisfaction. It was also discovered that training and management support are also vital in overcoming the adoption barriers. These results highlight the role of institutional leadership, specific training courses, and facilitating structures in promoting MIS adoption. The research offers a proven integrative model that has added theoretical and practical measures to enhance the MIS implementation in universities.