Abstract:
Low-Code Development Platforms (LCDP) have emerged as a solution to the
shortage of skilled developers since they provide a simplified approach to web
application development using a graphical user interface. Acceleration of software
development cycles, significant increase in developer productivity, and minimal
hand-coding requirements have led to their popularity among web developers and a
broader range of non-programmers. Literature shows that the booming digital
economy in Sri Lanka faces a significant challenge due to the difference in computer
programming skill level demanded by the industry and the actual skill level of IT
graduates. The objective of this study is to investigate how perceived usefulness,
perceived ease of use, and industry trends influence the adoption of LCDA for web
application development among IT undergraduates. A pilot study was conducted with
35 undergraduates from three state universities, revealing that 18 students favoured
LCDA, while 7 preferred traditional coding. Building on this, a main survey was
conducted online with 372 IT undergraduates with the help of a pre-tested structured
questionnaire using a convenience sampling technique. The findings revealed that
perceived usefulness, including enhanced productivity and job relevance, is a
significant factor driving low-code adoption. In addition to perceived ease of use,
user-friendly interfaces and ease of learning contribute to the growing preference for
LCDPs. Industry trends, including increasing market demand for faster, cost effective solutions and peer influence, also play a critical role in shaping the adoption
of low-code tools. Statistical analysis supports the hypotheses that all three factors
significantly influence low-code adoption. The researcher recommended adding
LCDPs to existing curricula to suit the job market and promote the arrangement of
training programmes.
