The effect of app store strategy on app rating: The moderating role of hedonic and utilitarian mobile apps

Concerns about the performance of mobile apps have spurred a stream of research on factors contributing to the success of mobile apps in the major app stores. However, identified success factors have not been synthesized into a unified framework. Similarly, reported findings typically address main effects. The present study introduces the concept of app store strategy to synthesize the mobile app success factors that developers implement in the major app stores. The study synthesizes four such factors consisting of app size, app versions (major and minor), revenue model and mobile app names. Further, drawing on IS literature, the study distinguishes between hedonic and utilitarian mobile apps. Using a dataset of mobile apps from Play Store (N = 8325), the study investigates to what extent app store strategy interacts with the hedonic and utilitarian value of mobile apps in driving app rating. The study employed a combination of traditional regression and machine learning approaches to test proposed hypotheses. The findings make a two-fold contribution to the literature first by introducing the concept of app store strategy to synthesize mobile app success factors and second by examining hedonic and utilitarian mobile apps as a boundary condition in the relationship between app store strategy and app rating.     

Mobile application security: Role of perceived privacy as the predictor of security perceptions

Despite mobile applications being at the frontier of mobile computation technologies, security issues pose a threat to their adoption and diffusion. Recent studies suggest that security violations could be mitigated through improved security behaviors and attitudes, not just through better technologies. Existing literature on behavioral security suggests that one of the main predictors of users’ perceptions of security is their perceived privacy concerns. Using communication privacy management theory (CPM), this study examines the effects of privacy-related perceptions, such as privacy risk and the effectiveness of privacy policies, on the security perceptions of mobile app users. To empirically test the proposed theoretical model, two survey studies were conducted using mobile apps requesting less sensitive information (n = 487) and more sensitive information (n = 559). The findings show that the perceived privacy risk negatively influences the perceived security of the mobile apps; the perceived effectiveness of a privacy policy positively influences user perceptions of mobile app security; and perceived privacy awareness moderates the effect of perceived privacy risk on the perceived security of mobile apps. The results also suggest that users have different privacy-security perceptions based on the information sensitivity of the mobile apps. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Mobile users’ information privacy concerns and the role of app permission requests

Recent privacy-related incidents of mobile services have shown that app stores and providers face the challenge of mobile users’ information privacy concerns, which can prevent users from installing mobile apps or induce them to uninstall an app. In this paper, we investigate the role of app permission requests and compare the impact on privacy concerns with other antecedents of information privacy concerns, i.e., prior privacy experience, computer anxiety, and perceived control. To test these effects empirically, we conducted an online survey with 775 participants. Results of our structural equation modeling show that prior privacy experience, computer anxiety, and perceived control have significant effects on privacy concerns. However, concerns for app permission requests have approximately twice as much predictive value than the other factors put together to explain mobile users’ overall information privacy concerns. We expect that our findings can provide a theoretical contribution for future mobile privacy research as well as practical implications for app stores and providers.     

The impact of inertia and user satisfaction on the continuance intentions to use mobile communication applications: A mobile service quality perspective

Vendors of mobile communication applications/services (apps) aim at improve their designs to attract and retain users, and thus achieve the critical mass needed to ensure the success of their services. Despite the significant number of prior mobile service studies, few works have examined the effects of inertia and satisfaction on the users’ continuance intention with regard to specific mobile communication apps from a mobile-service-quality perspective. By integrating the mobile service quality framework, inertia, and user satisfaction, this study develops a model for interpreting the development of the continuance intention of users of mobile communication apps. Data collected from 238 users of such apps provided support for the model. The results indicated that interaction quality, environment quality, inertia, and user satisfaction are key determinants of continuance intention, while outcome quality is not. The theoretical and practical implications of this work are discussed.     

用户赋能和服务创新对APP绩效的影响研究

移动应用程序APP是移动互联网时代企业创造价值的重要渠道。尽管APP市场具有巨大的商业价值，但也出现了不少绩效较低的现象：互联网创业夭折、成交转化率低下、APP卸载率较高等等。研究APP的绩效问题有助于发现影响APP绩效的关键因素，帮助企业找到提高APP绩效的新方法。本文从服务主导逻辑出发，识别出了影响APP绩效的两大关键策略--用户赋能和服务创新，论述了这两大策略对APP收入绩效的影响机理。本文使用自然观察法跟踪和分析中国（N=200）和美国（N=206）两个样本中的APP个体，发现两个样本产生出来的结果较为一致：APP若选择赋予用户更多的权力，让用户主导平台的价值创造活动，那么它的收入绩效往往比较好；企业如果较为注重服务创新，持续地为APP开发出新特征或新服务，APP的收入绩效一般较好。本研究也可以给APP企业带来实践上的启示：首先，企业应分析APP的定位和作用；其次，企业应重视用户在价值创造中的重要作用，还要意识到用户不仅仅是APP的接受者和使用者，还是生产者和价值创造者；再次，企业应按照APP的定位，再决定是否将价值创造的主导权赋予广大用户；最后，企业应当重视APP的服务创新，持续地推出新功能和新特征，为用户提供更加便捷、易用的服务。     

Game on! How gamified loyalty programs boost customer engagement value

Though gamified loyalty programs (GLPs), or loyalty programs that deploy gamified elements, are increasingly adopted, academic acumen of customer engagement with GLPs lags behind, thus exposing an important research gap. Based on this gap, we review the gamification-, loyalty program-, and customer engagement literature, from which we derive important insight. First, extending the customer engagement literature, we develop the concept of GLP engagement (GLPE), defined as members’ GLP-related behavior, expressed through direct- (i.e., purchase) and/or indirect (e.g., GLP-related learning/advocating) contributions, which we argue are critical to GLP effectiveness. Extending prior research, we also classify members’ indirect GLP contributions as autonomous (vs. interdependent)-, selfless (vs. self-seeking)-, control (vs. laissez-faire)-based-, collaborative (vs. competitive)-, individual (vs. generic)-, and calculated (vs. non-calculated) contributions. Second, we develop a self-determination theory-informed framework that proposes members’ intrinsic/extrinsic motivation as major drivers of GLPE, which in turn impacts customer brand engagement value (CBEV). Third, formalizing the framework’s associations, we develop a set of Propositions that serve as a springboard for further GLPE research. We conclude by discussing major implications that arise from this research.     

基于社会偏好的网络社群中顾客契合演化研究

企业网络社群中的顾客契合全面刻画了移动互联网情境下企业与顾客、顾客与顾客间持续性互动、互惠的价值关系。研究以社会偏好理论为基础,采用复杂网络演化博弈的方法,基于小世界网络和无标度网络分别构建企业网络社群中顾客契合的演化博弈模型,并使用MATLAB_8.3编程对网络社群中顾客契合演化均衡及机制进行模拟仿真。研究发现社会偏好对小世界和无标度网络社群中的顾客契合演化都存在规律性驱动作用,强社会偏好的效果更为显著,且两种网络社群中的顾客契合演化机制表现出明显差异性。研究为移动互联网情景下用户群体策略演化及收益分析奠定理论基础,并提出打造深度关系的网络社群、建立社会偏好的激励体系、实施社群的差异化管理等推进有效顾客契合管理的策略建议,从而实现企业平台的多方利益共赢。     

Developing customer product loyalty through mobile advertising: Affective and cognitive perspectives

Mobile advertising is an increasingly popular marketing channel since it can present advertising in a personalized manner. This study examines the development of customer product loyalty through mobile advertising by considering the drivers from affective and cognitive perspectives. An Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM), as defined for repurchase intention, is proposed as a theoretical basis for the relationship structure of related research variables. An Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) identifies affective and cognitive concerns for defining the drivers of consumer behavior. Involvement and interactivity confirmation arise as affective and cognitive concerns in this context. This research model also indicates a particular mediating role of perceived usefulness and customer satisfaction from the two drivers for developing customer product loyalty. Empirical analysis shows that both affective and cognitive perspectives, i.e., involvement and interactivity, are important drivers to motivate customer product loyalty. The findings can help practitioners design more effective approaches for mobile advertising.     

Unfolding the popularity of video conferencing apps – A privacy calculus perspective

Video conferencing (VC) applications (apps) have surged in popularity as an alternative to face-to-face communications. Although VC apps offer myriad benefits, it has caught much media attention owing to concerns of privacy infringements. This study examines the key determinants of professionals’ attitude and intentions to use VC apps in the backdrop of this conflicting duality. A conceptual research model is proposed based on theoretical foundations of privacy calculus and extended with conceptualizations of mobile users’ information privacy concerns (MUIPC), trust, technicality, ubiquity, as well as theoretical underpinnings of social presence theory. Structural equation modeling is used to empirically test the model using data collected from 484 professionals. The study offers insights regarding the trade-offs that professionals are willing to make in the face of information privacy concerns associated with VC apps. Based on the findings, the study emphasizes the promotion of privacy protection at the organizational level, control mechanisms that motivate employees to actively engage in privacy protection behavior, and a multi-faceted approach for data transparency within the VC app platforms.     

‘Go with the flow’ for gamification and sustainability marketing

This paper explores the potential of gamification for sustainability marketing efforts, examining users’ experiences with a gamified app designed to encourage the sustainable energy behavior of turning off electricity switches. Using data collected from 387 participants who partook in a week-long field study using a gamified app, we analyze the interrelationships between flow, customer engagement, value-in behavior, and intentions to perform sustainable behavior and continue use of a gamified app. We show how consumers’ gameful experiences via flow enhance engagement with a gamified app, and how this results in enhancing the perceptions of value in performing a sustainable energy behavior. Further, we evidence how the value-in-behavior created by a gamified app not only influence behavioral intentions to perform a sustainable energy behavior, but also intentions to continue using the gamified app. These results provide important theoretical and practical insights as to the potential for gamification to be used for sustainability marketing and how gameful experiences (flow and customer engagement) can transfer to positive perceptions of sustainable behavior (value-in-behavior).     

Product attributes and brand equity in the mobile domain: The mediating role of customer experience

There are studies showing that utilitarian (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) and hedonic (entertainment and aesthetics) attributes of products are two fundamental resources that ensure brand equity in the mobile domain. However, few studies examine the attributes of products and how and why such resources influence mobile brand equity. In this study, a survey was carried out on 262 mobile users in Taiwan to examine the mediating effects of customer experience on the relationship between product attributes on mobile brand equity. Our findings suggest that utilitarian and hedonic attributes of products affect mobile brand equity through customer experience. In other words, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, entertainment, and aesthetics may not be intrinsic value; their value on mobile brand equity is realized through customer experience. However, whereas the effect of perceived ease of use on mobile brand equity is partially mediated, perceived usefulness, entertainment, and aesthetics are fully mediated by customer experience. By showing the differential effects of product attributes on mobile brand equity, this study provides a more refined understanding of the interplay among product attributes, customer experience, and mobile brand equity. The results suggest that by overlooking the mediating role of customer experience, previous research may have provided an overly optimistic view of the value of product attributes in mobile brand equity.     

Profiting from digital innovation: Patents,copyright and performance

It is yet unclear whether patents and copyright are effective at protecting digital innovations. In this paper, we investigate this question using novel product-level data on mobile apps, in which we relate the use of both patents and copyright to (i) revenue performance and (ii) IP licensing. We theorize that these relationships depend on differences in product-level characteristics and that apps differentiated by their design are more likely and effectively to be protected by patents; apps combining elements of differentiated content are more likely and effectively protected by copyright. Our results support these predictions that product characteristics shape the appropriate contingent use of patent and copyright protection in digital products. These patterns are especially relevant to industries where digital products combine elements of differentiated design and differentiated digital content.     

Intention to disclose personal information via mobile applications: A privacy calculus perspective

This study aimed to investigate the issue of consumer intention to disclose personal information via mobile applications (apps). Drawing on the literature of privacy calculus theory, this research examined the factors that influence the trade-off decision of receiving perceived benefits and being penalized with perceived risks through the calculus lens. In particular, two paths of the direct effects on perceived benefits and risks that induce the ultimate intention to disclose personal information via mobile apps were proposed and empirically tested. The analysis showed that self-presentation and personalized services positively influence consumers’ perceived benefits, which in turn positively affects the intention to disclose personal information. Perceived severity and perceived control serve as the direct antecedents of perceived risks that negatively affect the intention of consumers to disclose personal information. Compared with the perceived risks, the perceived benefits more strongly influence the intention to disclose personal information. This study extends the literature on privacy concerns to consumer intention to disclose personal information by theoretically developing and empirically testing four hypotheses in a research model. Results were validated in the mobile context, and implications and discussions were presented.     

Consumers response towards mobile commerce applications: S-O-R approach

The paramount importance for mobile retailers, expecting higher sales and cost savings is customer retention. Though previous studies have explored various nuances of customer behaviour towards mobile commerce applications, this study majorly aims to understand the drivers of repurchase intention and satisfying experience in an m-commerce shopping environment. The study follows the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theoretical approach. A cross-sectional design was adopted for this study involving data from 420 regular mobile shoppers in India through a non-probabilistic sampling procedure. The collected data were later analysed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate perceived ubiquity and m-commerce app incentives as two strongest predictors of impulsiveness and perceived value respectively. It was further observed that impulsiveness negatively affects consumers repurchase intention but positively enhances the satisfying experience, whereas perceived value favourably affects both the variable. The study contributes in various ways; first, a holistic model using the S-O-R framework is a new addition in literature ground; second, the extra focus on the construct satisfying experience will give a larger understanding to optimise the m-commerce applications efficiently. Moreover, the study also presents managerial implications for practitioners working in areas related to m-commerce.     

Mobile food ordering apps: An empirical study of the factors affecting customer e-satisfaction and continued intention to reuse

Mobile food ordering apps (MFOAs) have been widely considered in the restaurant sector as innovative channels to reach customers and provide them with high-quality services. However, there are important questions regarding the impact of implementing MFOAs on customer satisfaction and on customers’ intention to reuse such apps. Several studies have examined the outcomes of using MFOAs from the customer’s perspective. The fundamental purpose of this study is to identify and empirically examine the main factors predicting the e-satisfaction with MFOAs and customers’ intention to reuse such apps in Jordan. This research proposes an integrated model based on the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the features of MFOAs: online review, online rating, and online tracking. The data was collected from a convenience sample of Jordanian customers who have used MFOAs. The main results are based on structural equation modelling and support the role of online review, online rating, online tracking, performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and price value on e-satisfaction and continued intention to reuse. This study provides a theoretical contribution and presents practical implications relevant to academics and practitioners working in areas related to MFOAs.     

Supply chain information capabilities and performance outcomes: An empirical study of Korean steel suppliers

This article discusses how supply chain information capabilities are instrumental to achieve performance outcomes. We identify critical components of supply chain information capabilities in terms of inter-organizational information system capacity and inter-organizational relational competency. In view of the high degree of industry concentration in Korea, this article presents and tests a research model using a sample of Korean steel suppliers. Empirical tests are conducted using the structural equation modeling, PLS (partial least squares). The results of this study suggest that Korean manufacturing (e.g., automobile, shipbuilding, construction, and mobile industries) are heavily influenced by the competitiveness of the steel industry in terms of supply chain information capabilities and performance outcomes—supply chain-level (i.e., supply chain flexibility) and firm-level performance outcomes (i.e., customer responsiveness and cost reductions). Future research may extend the findings of this study in other country contexts to accomplish both customer responsiveness and cost reductions through supply chain information capabilities.     

How system quality influences mobile BI use: The mediating role of engagement

Despite the recognized value that mobile BI (m-BI) brings to firms, our understanding of the use of m-BI and its determinants are limited. In this study, we suggest that m-BI system quality characteristics may be among the factors that influence m-BI use. Yet, in the information systems (IS) literature there is mixed support for the relationship between system quality and system use at the individual level. Given there is research suggesting that engaged users are an indication of the technology’s success, we believe that ‘engagement’ may be the key to understanding the relationship discrepancy between system quality and use. To address this gap, we conducted a quantitative study of key informants who use m-BI, to understand what the key m-BI capabilities are and other success dimensions perceived as important by users. The results indicate that m-BI system quality attributes affect m-BI use indirectly through engagement, with this finding contributing to understanding of the complexity of IS use in mobile technologies.     

Why do users resist service organization’s brand mobile apps? The force of barriers versus cross-channel synergy

Service organizations increasingly develop brand apps (mobile applications) to expand service channels to the mobile end. Attracting their customers to install the brand app is critical. But there is widespread resistance to brand apps. This resistance can be classified as postponement, opposition and rejection. This study explores consumers’ active resistance of brand app in service organization. We examine the effects of adoption barriers and knowledge of alternatives quality on the three resistance behaviors and moderating effects of satisfaction with off-line service. The results show three resistance behaviors are affected by different reasons, and cross-channel synergy exists. Our study extends the theoretical understanding of the antecedents of and cross-channel influences on resistance to brand apps, with practical implications that managers should adopt different strategies for postponers, opponents and rejecters.     

Mobile technology identity and self-efficacy: Implications for the adoption of clinically supported mobile health apps

Despite smartphone applications (apps) being key enablers of telemedicine, telehealth, and self-monitoring, adoption issues persist for mobile healthcare (mHealth) apps. This study diverged from the traditional adoption approach and drew on more innovative theories to predict the intentions of patients for adopting apps supported by clinics. More specifically, technology identity literature was explored to make this prediction and the study surveyed 292 patients who were seated in the waiting room of a local clinic. The results suggested that perceived mobile technology identity (MTI), perceived related IT experience, and perceived self-efficacy positively influences patients’ perceived intentions to adopt mHealth apps provided by clinics or hospitals. Furthermore, the results suggested that perceived related IT experience positively influences users perceived self-efficacy and perceived MTI. However, education was found to negatively influence patients’ perceived intentions to use mHealth apps. This study contributes to the growing literature on the use of these apps in trying to elevate the quality of patients’ lives. Moreover, there are implications for mHealth-app designers who are trying to make healthcare services accessible via smartphones.