17089R2m-3 Cultural Adaptation and the Cognitive Mediation Mechanism in Vocational College Students’ Acceptance of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This study integrates Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), focusing cultural adaptation on two key dimensions: power distance and collectivism, and defining cognitive mechanisms through two core perceptual variables: perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. A chained mediation model is constructed to explore the pathway from cultural adaptation to technology acceptance via cognitive mechanisms. Based on a survey of 610 vocational college students and the use of structural equation modeling, the study yields three key findings: (1) power distance and collectivism significantly influence technology acceptance behaviors through a chained mediation effect; (2) cognitive mechanisms exhibit an “ease-prioritized-over-usefulness” tendency, indicating that perceived ease of use plays a more dominant role in shaping behavioral intentions; and (3) the effect of cultural adaptation is substantial—students with higher power distance tend to rely more on authoritative guidance, while those with stronger collectivist orientations are more susceptible to group norms. These findings illuminate the culture–cognition–behavior pathway in vocational education contexts and provide theoretical support for differentiated promotion strategies of generative AI technologies.