Application of TPB to punctuation usage in instant messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is being widely used in the workplace and personal life at an accelerated rate. In this paper, we empirically investigate an extension of TPB (Theory of Planned Behaviour) model to explain why individuals use punctuation in IM. Conceptually, we examine attitude and behavioural belief and their impacts on punctuation usage. Our research model was tested in an empirical study, which confirmed all of our hypotheses. This paper also explains why people prefer to use punctuation in IM and how the usage is moderated by the communication context.