Factors influencing users’ employment of mobile map services

This study introduces an integrated research model to examine user acceptance of mobile map services, hypothesizing potential causal connections between key cognitive factors and users’ intention to use the services. This study determined potential variables that may be significantly related to perceived usefulness of mobile map services through in-depth interviews with two groups: a user and an expert group. Collected data of 1109 users who took part in the internet survey were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that satisfaction with and perceived usefulness of the mobile map services were the most significant antecedents of users’ attitude toward the services and behavioral intention to use them. Users’ attitude and flow state also affected their intention to use the services, while perceived locational accuracy, service, and display quality had notable effects on attitude. This study demonstrates the significant effects of these and other examined factors, and the findings reveal that flow played a multiple moderating roles significantly affecting various connections in the integrated research model. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

A Study on the Use Intention of Long Term Evolution Mobile Service

The rapid development of ICT is bringing about a digital transformation. The digital transformation affects all areas, and ICT is at the center of many technologies. In particular, the importance of technical services for wireless communications is being increasingly emphasized. Thus, the qualities of technical services for wireless communications have effects not only on the companies who provide services but also on the consumers who receive them. As technologies develop, consumers want to receive more stable and higher quality services. In this regard, this study classified the qualities of LTE service into call quality, speed quality, and user support quality, investigated their influential factors on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and playfulness, and analyzed their causal relationship with satisfaction and continuous use intention. As a result of analysis, all the hypotheses were accepted; except for the one that call quality will have effects on perceived usefulness (H1-1), except for the one that social influence will have effects on user satisfaction (H7-2), except for the one that customer membership will have effects on perceived usefulness (H8-1), except for the one that social influence will have effects on perceived usefulness (H8-2). The results of this study provided practical guidelines to service providers through the causal relationship analysis of various variables affecting LTE services satisfaction and constant services.     

I,Chatbot: Modeling the determinants of users’ satisfaction and continuance intention of AI-powered service agents

Chatbots are mainly text-based conversational agents that simulate conversations with users. This study aims to investigate drivers of users’ satisfaction and continuance intention toward chatbot-based customer service. We propose an analytical framework combining the expectation-confirmation model (ECM), information system success (ISS) model, TAM, and the need for interaction with a service employee (NFI-SE). Analysis of data collected from 370 actual chatbot users reveals that information quality (IQ) and service quality (SQ) positively influence consumers’ satisfaction, and that perceived enjoyment (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are significant predictors of continuance intention (CI). The need for interaction with an employee moderates the effects of PEOU and PU on satisfaction. The findings also revealed that satisfaction with chatbot e-service is a strong determinant and predictor of users’ CI toward chatbots. Thus, chatbots should enhance their information and service quality to increase users’ satisfaction. The findings imply that digital technologies services, such as chatbots, could be combined with human service employees to satisfy digital users.     

An integrated adoption model for e-books in a mobile environment: Evidence from South Korea

This study examines what factors lead to the adoption of the mobile e-book in South Korea. For this purpose, this research integrated the diffusion of innovation theory and technology acceptance model with the model of innovation resistance and applied this integrated model to the context of mobile e-book adoption. An online survey was administrated, and the data collected were analyzed with the structural equation model (SEM). Research results showed that individual innovativeness has a significant influence on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. It also revealed that both of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use affect not only intention to use but also the innovation resistance. The innovation resistance has significant negative influence on the intention to use. Perceived risk of mobile e-books increases innovation resistance in a positive way. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Involuntary migration in cyberspaces: The case of MSN messenger discontinuation

Instant messaging (IM) is one of the most popular Web 2.0 tools for the facilitation of synchronous communication, collaboration, and social interaction among users. The chances that incumbent instant messaging (IM) users will suffer from involuntary switching have increased because competition can eliminate their service/technology providers. This concern leads to our research question: what factors influence IM users’ decision-making in involuntary switching? In light of the above concerns, this study aims to extend the push–pull–mooring (PPM) framework and the migration theory to the context of service involuntary switching by incorporating the notions of network effects and regret. Our model theorizes that four constructs of network effects (referent network size, future expectation, perceived complementary, and perceived compatibility), similarity and innovativeness (pull factors), switching cost (mooring factors), and three push factors regarding migration plan and outcome (dissatisfaction with technical quality and information quality of the migration plan and regret) can affect users’ intention to migrate to other IM services and subsequently alter their migration behaviors. This hypothetical model used in this study has been empirically validated using data collected from 381 IM users. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.     

A consumer perspective of E-service quality

E-service is an emerging and rapidly evolving area as demonstrated by new technological innovations introduced to improve e-service. Motivated by the growing interest in online commerce, we focus our research questions on examining the factors that contribute to e-service, the relationships among these factors and the consumers' attitude toward e-service. To explore answers to our research questions, we developed an e-service model. Specifically, our proposed model consists of such constructs as individual differences, e-service convenience, Web site service quality, risk, e-satisfaction, and intention. We develop an e-service quality survey instrument and use empirical data to validate the instrument. The results of our empirical study validate our eight hypotheses. We confirm seven of the eight hypotheses. One hypothesis that tested individual differences and service convenience was not confirmed. However, we found that service convenience, Web site service quality, and risk are significant factors affecting consumers' satisfaction level, which in turn affects intention. The findings suggest that managers need to understand e-convenience from the consumers' perspective. In order to provide better services for users, companies need to invest in Web site service quality design and evaluation, and at the same time, control the perceived risk associated with using it.     

Determinants of player acceptance of mobile social network games: An application of extended technology acceptance model

In recent years, mobile devices and social network games (SNGs) have gained wide popularity among the mainstream users. The present study aims to investigate the psychological elements that may contribute to user behaviors regarding mobile-social network games (M-SNGs). This study introduces an integrated model for M-SNGs. Statistical results from an online survey of players of M-SNGs indicate that the proposed research model effectively demonstrates and examines player acceptance of and attitudes toward M-SNGs. This research model is valid, and illustrates not only perceived enjoyment and usefulness as determinant variables of intention to use among players, but also perceived mobility together with perceived control and skill as motivational factors for players. The results also describe that satisfaction has a moderate role, which in turn has significant effects on multiple connections in the research model. Both theoretical and practical implications are provided based on the findings.     

Crafting a smartphone repurchase decision making process: Do brand attachment and gender matter?

In this fast changing digital era, smartphones users tend to change their smartphones regularly. Therefore, retaining existing consumers has been a challenging task for smartphone manufacturer brands. Given the status quo in smartphone industry and deficiencies in smartphone research, this study proposes a model that integrates Expectation Confirmation Model and brand attachment to shed light on smartphone repurchase decision making process. Besides, gender differences are also accounted for in the model. This study employs a two-staged approach, namely PLS-ANN, in analysing the data collected from 510 existing smartphone owners. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was firstly engaged, and followed by artificial neural network analysis. Besides, a non-parametric partial least squares multi-group analysis has also been conducted to discover gender differences in such decision making process. The results suggest that brand attachment is the most influential and relevant driver of consumers’ intention to repurchase smartphones from current brand (measured by continuance intention). Moreover, male consumers are more sensitive to the influence of brand attachment in developing their satisfaction and continuance intention, while female consumers are relying more on perceived usefulness. Interestingly, perceived usefulness does not significantly influence male consumers in continuance intention development. Practical and theoretical implications are subsequently offered.     

Disentangling facial recognition payment service usage behavior: A trust perspective

Facial recognition payment (FRP) technology has been used as an innovative digital approach to payment services. This study develops a model to investigate how user trust—including trust in FRP service providers and FRP—affects users’ continuance intentions toward FRP services. We also propose that trust in FRP itself is affected by perceived vulnerability, perceived security, and perceived response efficacy from a privacy and security perspective. Our research model was empirically tested via a partial-least-squares analysis with survey data collected from 217 FRP users in China. The results show that trust in both FRP service providers and FRP itself positively affects users’ continuance intentions, and trust in service providers affects trust in FRP. Perceived security and response efficacy positively affect trust in FRP. This research contributes to the literature on FRP and trust, offering practical implications for FRP service providers on how to manage individual users’ FRP-related privacy concerns while enhancing user trust in FRP, which facilitates continuous FRP use.     

Adoption and Use of Computer-Based Voice Over Internet Protocol Phone Service: Toward an Integrated Model

This study examines factors influencing adoption and use of computer-based voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phone service and attempts to integrate 2 theoretical approaches: the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the uses and gratifications framework. Using data from an online survey of VoIP users ( N = 420), structural equation modeling analyses revealed that perceived ease of use had a significant impact on perceived usefulness. In addition, perceived usefulness had a positive effect on actual VoIP use. The study further discovered that motivations for communication and instrumental use significantly affected perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and actual VoIP use. This study suggests that integration of TAM and uses and gratifications can be fruitful in understanding user acceptance of new communication technologies.     

Effects of Mental Model and Intrinsic Motivation on Behavioral Intention of Smartphone Application Users

An application that has a simple user interface not only motivates a user to continue using the application, but also enables the user to develop their mental model for the application — the like of which is a product of their interaction with the application. In the information systems literature, little empirical research has been undertaken on the effects of the mental model and motivation on smartphone users’ behavioral beliefs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to suggest a research model that can examine the following: 1) the effects that the mental model has not only on smartphone users’ behavioral beliefs (that is, perceived usefulness and ease of use of an application) but also on their behavioral intention to use an application and 2) the effects that smartphone users’ intrinsic motivation has on their behavioral beliefs through an expansion of the mental model. A survey is conducted, and structural equation modeling is then used to analyze the survey data. The results, through consideration of variables such as intrinsic motivation, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user satisfaction, indicate that the mental model has an indirect effect on a user's intention to use an application.     

Technology Acceptance Model for the Use of Tablet PCs

Tablet personal computers (tablet PCs) are popular electronic devices worldwide. They influence many aspects of our social lives. Compared with laptop computers, tablet PCs feature characteristics including enhanced portability and display quality. The purposes of this study were to examine users’ attitudes toward tablet personal computers and identify the effects of external factors. This study extended the technology acceptance model and used perceived mobility and viewing experience as the external variables in the proposed model. This study used a web-based survey of 511 participants and found that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were key determinants of attitude toward tablet personal computers. Also, the perceived ease of use and usefulness of tablet PCs were significantly enhanced by perceived mobility and viewing experience. In addition, all traditional relationships from the origin technology acceptance model were supported. Lastly, both implications of the study and areas of future research are discussed.     

Analysis of users and non-users of smartphone applications

Purpose

Smartphones facilitate the potential adoption of new mobile applications. The purpose of this research is to study users and non-users of three selected mobile applications, and find out what really drives the intention to use these applications across users and non-users.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measured actual usage of mobile applications in a panel study of 579 Finnish smartphone users, using in-device measurements as an objective way to identify users and non-users. A web-based survey was used in collecting data to test an extended TAM model in explaining intention to use.

Findings

Perceived technological barriers negatively affect behavioural control, reflecting people’s assessment of themselves being capable of using the services without trouble. Behavioural control is directly linked to perceived usefulness (except for games) and perceived enjoyment, as hypothesized. Perceived enjoyment and usefulness were generically found to explain intention to use applications for both users and for non-users.

Research limitations/implications

With regards to the impact of social norms, the study finds that further research needs to be done in exploring its impact more thoroughly. The dataset of the research, consisting purely of male-dominated, young smartphone users, make the generalization of results difficult.

Practical implications

There are differences regarding what drives the usage of different kinds of mobile applications. In this study, map applications and mobile Internet, are driven by more utilitarian motivations, whereas games are more hedonic. It is also clear that not everybody are using applications facilitated by smartphones, and therefore the presented approach of studying users and non-users separately provides a new approach to analyze adoption on a practical level.

Originality/value

This research proves that models like TAM should not treat mobile services as a generic concept, but instead to specifically address individual mobile services. The research also demonstrates the unique value of combining objective usage measurements (reflecting actual behaviour) with traditional survey data in more comprehensively modelling service adoption.     

移动内容服务持续改善对持续使用意向影响的实证分析

With the development of intelligent termi-nals and mobile applications, the influence of continu-ous improvement on mobile content services to the continuance use intention is more and more signifi-cant. Based on the expectation-confirmation theory and information system continuance use theory, this paper proposes a mobile content continuance use model and puts forward related assumptions under the mobile commerce environment by introducing the continuous improvement variables. Questionnaire data are collected from 219 mobile content service users for research, and the hypothetical model is validated by the structural equation modeling. Results show that the information system continuance use model is still valid under the mobile commerce environment, and the continuous improvement on mobile content serv-ices have positive impacts on user's expectations after they have experienced certain mobile content services.     

移动互联网业务在LTE时代的发展分析及业务建模

LTE时代的到来为移动互联网业务的发展提供了新的平台,也给运营商带来巨大的挑战。文章探讨了移动互联网业务在LTE时代的发展趋势,并且针对不同类型业务的业务特征进行分析和理论建模。通过对LTE网络的业务构成、用户行为、业务特征等方面的研究,构建LTE业务总体模型,为LTE网络部署提供有效支撑。     

Ubiquitous use of mobile social network services

Smartphones are becoming increasingly penetrated among people. Social networking is one of the most popular applications that are being widely used through smartphones. The current research aims to understand Chinese users’ behaviour and identifies factors that impact intentions toward the usage of the social network services via handheld devices. By making use of Structural Equation Modelling technique based on a sample of 297 respondents, the research findings show that, technology acceptance model and its variants can only be used as an instrument to understand users’ adoption behaviour. The research findings reveal that mobility in concert with perceived ease of use, use context, and critical mass in concert with social influence impact users’ behavioural intention and usage significantly. Moreover, habitual behaviour of users plays a particularly important role toward the use of mobile social network services.     

Should I scan my face? The influence of perceived value and trust on Chinese users’ intention to use facial recognition payment

While China has seen the widespread adoption of facial recognition payment, concerns over the potential risks impede the further growth of user acceptance. Drawing on the perspectives of perceived value and trust, we developed a research model to explore how the Chinese users’ trade-off between perceived benefits (perceived convenience and perceived novelty) and perceived risks (perceived privacy risk and perceived financial risk) influences their usage intention. Based on survey data from 1,200 Chinese mobile payment users, this study uses structural equation modeling to examine the hypotheses. Our results show that perceived convenience positively influences perceived value, while privacy risk and financial risk negatively influence perceived value and trust. Although perceived novelty has no significant effect on perceived value and trust, perceived value positively influences trust, and both of them have a positive effect on the intention to use. Furthermore, our moderation analysis indicates that the influence of perceived value on the intention to use is stronger among users who consider facial information to be more sensitive. The theoretical implications for research as well as the practical implications for practitioners are also discussed.     

Integrating guanxi into technology acceptance: An empirical investigation of WeChat

Social influence is an important research topic in the technology acceptance literature, in particular for social media. Prior empirical studies have for the most part employed social influence theory to investigate user intentions to continue with social media, while culture driven theories have been neglected. Rather than using social influence theory, we introduced guanxi theory to explore how guanxi social mechanisms (or processes) influence Chinese users’ continuance intentions in WeChat. Specifically, we developed a model that examines the role of guanxi as manifested by renqing, mianzi and ganqing in perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment and continuance intention in WeChat. A survey research method was adopted to test the proposed hypotheses. This study found that ganqing has a positive impact on perceived usefulness and continuance intention. Mianzi exerts a negative effect on continuance intention but exhibits a positive effect on perceived usefulness. Renqing was found to have no significant impact on perceived usefulness and continuance intention. Our study advances the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by introducing guanxi-based constructs in a Chinese mobile social-messaging application context. Our study also offers alternative insights on guanxi-based social influence processes in the Chinese technology acceptance literature.     

Social acceptance of location-based mobile government services for emergency management

Location-based services deployed by governments can be used to assist people manage emergencies via their mobile handsets. Research delineating the acceptance of public services in the domain of emergency management has been scantly investigated in information systems. The main aim of this study is to assess the viability of location-based mobile emergency services by: (i) exploring the issues related to location-based services and their nationwide utilisation for emergency management; (ii) investigating the attitudinal and behavioural implications of the services; and (iii) examining the social acceptance or rejection of the services and identify the determinants of this acceptance or rejection. The results reveal that both attitude and perceived usefulness demonstrate a good prediction power of behavioural intention. Although perceived ease of use was found not to be a predictor of attitude, the results affirm its influence on perceived usefulness. The results also demonstrate the role of trust as the most influential determinant of individual perception of the usefulness of the services. Further, the results indicate that only the collection of personal location information, as a perceived privacy concern, had a significant negative impact on trust. Implications and future research are also discussed.