Intention in information systems adoption and use: Current state and research directions

Intention has been a key dependent variable in information system (IS) research for the last several decades. It features in various IS acceptance models including the technology acceptance model (TAM), the elaboration likelihood model, the IS success model, and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). In the context of IS adoption and use, intention has been portrayed in different forms including intention to adopt, intention to use, intention to continue use, intention to discontinue, and intention to switch. It has been modeled as an antecedent to behavior, a consequent of behavior, and a proxy for behavior. Prior studies of intention have been contextualized in a various settings involving use contexts (i.e., voluntary vs. mandatory use), populations (i.e., non-adopters, adopters, users), respondents (i.e., students, employees), and duration of use (i.e., limited vs. indefinite time), have used cross-sectional and longitudinal empirical designs, and employed different measurement instruments. This editorial provides a brief review of extant IS literature on intention, highlights underlying issues, and proposes directions for future research.     

Envy on social media: The good,the bad and the ugly

Observing the positive aspects of others’ lives on social media (SM) can bring about envy among users. Drawing from social comparison and technology acceptance theories, this study develops a research model to explain how envy occurs and impacts SM users’ behavior. In this work, we conducted two studies across three different SM settings to investigate two types of envy, benign and malicious envy. The results show that malicious envy is negatively related to the dependent variable of SM use intention while benign envy facilitates it. The findings provide many valuable contributions to both information systems (IS) academia and industry. This study identifies the unique SM factors intertwining with envy. Moreover, this work helps SM users and practitioners be aware of the potential envy issue on SM so they can take effective actions to enhance SM use.     

Inside out and outside in: How the COVID-19 pandemic affects self-disclosure on social media

As social distancing and lockdown orders grew more pervasive, individuals increasingly turned to social media for support, entertainment, and connection to others. We posit that global health emergencies - specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic - change how and what individuals self-disclose on social media. We argue that IS research needs to consider how privacy (self-focused) and social (other-focused) calculus have moved some issues outside in (caused by a shift in what is considered socially appropriate) and others inside out (caused by a shift in what information should be shared for the public good). We identify a series of directions for future research that hold potential for furthering our understanding of online self-disclosure and its factors during health emergencies.     

The construct of information systems use benefits: Theoretical explication of its underlying dimensions and the development of a measurement scale

As a key construct for the IS success model (DeLone & McLean (1992, 2003), information systems benefits for individuals (ISBI) has received considerable attention from researchers over the years. However, much remains to be explored to develop and validate the underlying theoretical dimensions for this crucial construct. Further, a major weakness of the extant research in this area is that most reported studies have been conducted in the context of individual IS application instead of the overall IS in the organization. To fill these gaps in research, we will first present a theoretical conceptualization of the ISBI construct, and then develop and validate a measurement scale for the construct. Drawing from the ERG theory (Alderfer, 1972), Job Characteristic Theory (Hackman & Oldham, 1975, 1976) and other theoretical perspectives, we developed a theory-based TJW framework which consists of three levels: Task performance, Job interaction, and Work enrichment. The nomological validity of the scale was then successfully demonstrated by a partial test of the IS success model using the ISBI measure and a measure of the overall IS use. Finally, we demonstrated the diagnostic power of the construct through an exploratory research model which showed that, while task performance benefits have insignificant effect on satisfaction, both job interaction benefits and work enrichment effects have substantial effects on satisfaction. These study results have thus deepened our understanding on the underpinnings of IS usage behaviors and contributed to the cumulated research on IS success.     

Examining the role of trust and quality dimensions in the actual usage of mobile banking services: An empirical investigation

Mobile banking (m-banking) has emerged dynamically over the years due to consumers' increased use of mobile technologies, their ever-growing lifestyle choices and also the several different economic factors. This paper proposes a new research model by extending the DeLone & McLean information systems (D&M IS) success model to understand users’ actual usage of m-banking. The research model was tested and validated using data collected by survey from 227 Omani residents. This study employed a two-staged analytical approach by combining structural equation modeling and neural network analysis. The results divulge that satisfaction and intention to use stand as two important precedents of actual usage, and the satisfaction also mediates the relationship between service quality, information quality and trust with intention to use m-banking and negates with that of system quality. We have provided the theoretical as well as practical implications of the findings.     

Promoting the continuing usage of strategic information systems: The role of supervisory leadership in the successful implementation of enterprise systems

Organizations face significant challenges in capturing value from their investments in strategic information systems such as enterprise systems (ES). Managers are a powerful source of influence shaping the post-adoption attitudes and behaviors of users and the success of ES. However, the extant IS literature has focused primarily on the role of top management and theoretical explanations of the role of supervisors in fostering continuing usage of ES are lacking. Drawing on transformational leadership theory and the IS continuance (ISC) model, this paper conceptualizes a theoretical model differentiating the influence mechanisms through which different types of leadership behaviors influence the success of ES. Data collected from 192 users of ES confirms our theorization. We find that transformational leadership behaviors of supervisors influence users’ evaluations of satisfaction and perceived usefulness, while their transactional leadership behaviors influence users’ ES continuance intention by moderating the effects of user satisfaction and perceived usefulness on ES continuance intention. This study advances research on the role of leadership behaviors of supervisors in capturing value from enterprise systems. The research also contributes to practice by suggesting effective strategies for promoting continued usage of mission critical systems such as enterprise systems and delivering value from firms’ IT investments.     

Acceptance and resistance of telehealth: The perspective of dual-factor concepts in technology adoption

Telehealth can be used to develop innovative healthcare services for promoting medical quality and efficiency. Despite previous research on users’ adoption intention of telehealth, users’ acceptance and resistance have rarely been considered at the same time. This study used a research model based on the dual-factor concepts of “enablers” and “inhibitors” to explain users’ intentions to utilize telehealth. We extended the Technology Acceptance Model and Status Quo Bias with the technology anxiety concept to explain why patients accept or reject the use of telehealth from the perceived enablers and inhibitors of intentions. The experimental results demonstrated users’ ambiguous and indecisive intentions of adopting telehealth. It was also found that availability and perceived usefulness are the main factors that encourage individuals to adopt telehealth services. Technology anxiety and transition costs are the key factors in discouraging people from using telehealth. Technology anxiety could be overcome through the perceived usefulness to promote the adoption of telehealth.     

Artificial intelligence in information systems research: A systematic literature review and research agenda

AI has received increased attention from the information systems (IS) research community in recent years. There is, however, a growing concern that research on AI could experience a lack of cumulative building of knowledge, which has overshadowed IS research previously. This study addresses this concern, by conducting a systematic literature review of AI research in IS between 2005 and 2020. The search strategy resulted in 1877 studies, of which 98 were identified as primary studies and a synthesise of key themes that are pertinent to this study is presented. In doing so, this study makes important contributions, namely (i) an identification of the current reported business value and contributions of AI, (ii) research and practical implications on the use of AI and (iii) opportunities for future AI research in the form of a research agenda.     

The battle of Brain vs. Heart: A literature review and meta-analysis of “hedonic motivation” use in UTAUT2

Much of the scholarly debate on the extrinsic-intrinsic motivation dichotomy to date has focused on organisational context. However, the recent upsurge of technology use amongst individuals in non-organisational context has led to consumer-focused research model such as extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2). The objective of this study is to bring back much needed focus on motivation dichotomy from the consumer perspective. This involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of hedonic motivation an affective construct in UTAUT2 studies. The findings from 79 UTAUT2 empirical studies revealed that only 46 studies (58%) utilised hedonic motivation while the remaining 33 studies (42%) omitted the construct. Extrinsic motivation was the major driver of non-hedonic and non-significant hedonic motivation studies with individuals using technologies for utilitarian outcomes. Unlike UTAUT2, moderators association of hedonic motivation were non-significant in determining consumer intention to use technology. The findings also revealed an important association between hedonic motivation and effort expectancy, in addition to fruitful directions for research and practice.     

Re-examining post-acceptance model of information systems continuance: A revised theoretical model using MASEM approach

This study extends the post-acceptance model of information systems (IS) continuance, which is widely used to explain users’ satisfaction and IS continuance intentions. The extended model includes additional variables such as perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitude, trust, and enjoyment. The proposed model was tested using meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM). The analysis included 1,056 observations on fifteen relationships from 214 independent studies with a combined sample of 84,343. The results confirm the significance of all the relationships proposed in the original model. Furthermore, the findings indicate that PEOU directly influences perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and attitude. Trust and enjoyment both have a positive impact on users’ satisfaction and IS continuance, wherein the effect of enjoyment was higher than trust. post-consumption satisfaction resulted in a favorable attitude toward technology, which further affected IS continuance. From a theoretical perspective, the current study acknowledges the shift in users’ attitude toward technology and emphasizes the hedonic value of IS usage as users report a higher degree of satisfaction toward responsive, easy to use, and enjoyable technologies. Marketers should focus on the enjoyment and gratifications derived from technology to increase potential IS usage.     

Understanding mobile health service use: An investigation of routine and emergency use intentions

This study theorizes two information systems (IS) use behaviors associated with individuals’ behavioral intention of mobile health (mHealth) services. Emergency use refers to individuals’ use of IS in emergency situations. Routine use refers to individuals’ use of IS on a basis. We adopt motivation theory as our overarching theoretical lens through which we investigate the influence of individuals’ different motivation incentives on their emergency and routine use intentions of mHealth services. We also investigate the influences of technological and psychological antecedents on extrinsic and intrinsic motivations. Based on data collected from 241 participants, we find that perceived usefulness enhances people’s emergency and routine use intentions of mHealth services and that perceived enjoyment positively influences routine use intention. In addition, we find that perceived source credibility, perceived service availability, and perceived diagnosticity influence perceived usefulness (extrinsic motivation), whereas perceived autonomy, perceived competence, perceived relatedness, and curiosity affect perceived enjoyment (intrinsic motivation). This research offers insights for IS literature regarding mHealth emergency and routine use behaviors.     

Motivating information system engineers’ acceptance of Privacy by Design in China: An extended UTAUT model

Given the serious issues caused by privacy leakage, Privacy by Design (PbD) is gaining the attention of professionals as a new privacy protection paradigm with enormous potential. This study proposes a UTAUT-based integrated model from the perspective of information system (IS) engineers, and explores the determinants of PbD implementation. The implementation of PbD and privacy protection measures relay heavily on IS engineers. However, there is a paucity of research exploring IS engineers’ acceptance of PbD, particularly research that considers engineers’ individualized factors and personal attitudes. Empirical data collected from 261 IS engineers in China demonstrate the rationality of proposed model and the importance of integrating conceptual constructs. The findings suggest that IS engineers’ attitude towards PbD implementation significantly impacts both their behavioral intention and their implementing behavior. IS engineers’ awareness of PbD is a predictor of their effort and performance expectancies, and intention to implement; IS engineers’ effort and performance expectancies concerning PbD usage have significantly impact on their attitude towards PbD. This study reveals the factors that motivate IS engineers to implement PbD into their workflow and proposes for the first time that IS engineers’ attitude towards PbD usage is the key factor for PbD implementation.     

Applying a multi-dimensional hedonic concept of intrinsic motivation on social tagging tools: A theoretical model and empirical validation

Participation in and adding content to social tagging tools is important for these tools to achieve their purpose of classifying and organizing information. Users of social tagging tools are driven to participate and add tags by extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is dominating research as a main predictor of why users use information systems. Social tagging tools, as a subset of social media tools, are distinguished by their unique social aspect that makes intrinsic motivation a potential driver for users to add tags to content. Intrinsic motivation, when applied to social tagging tools, could entail many shades that represent different users’ motives for using such tools. In this paper, we add a rich concept of intrinsic motivation to include hedonism as a main predictor of users’ behavior on social tagging tools. We empirically validate a previously proposed theoretical model of three dimensional concepts of hedonism with three components describing individuals’ hedonic state when interacting with social tagging tools: explorability, curiosity, and enjoyment. After a robust and thorough data analysis using structured equation modeling, the results confirm our theoretical model and suggest using a richer concept of enjoyment to reflect a hedonic dimension when investigating intrinsic motivation with interactive social media tools. Our validated model could be the spark of new factors that have the potential to influence user acceptance of information systems in general and in social media tools. This research contributes to the development of attitude-behavior theories that could explain users’ acceptance of dynamic web     

Dynamic and emergent information systems strategy formulation and implementation

Early attempts to formulate information systems (IS) strategies concentrated on the analytical task of deriving IS strategies from business plans. The limitations of the static plans that often resulted from these formal studies were, however, soon discovered. The critics suggested informal and incremental planning to ensure flexibility, creativity and strategic thinking to comprise emergent strategies as well as planned strategies.In previous IS planning research, there appears to be a contradiction between the published planning methods and the generally held views about effective implementation of IS planning process. The explicit methods described in IS literature predominantly assume a comprehensive IS planning process. Despite the fact that many researchers consider incremental approaches to be more effective, methods that can be used to facilitate incremental IS planning are few, not detailed enough and not comprehensive.The four cycles method introduced in this paper attempts to combine the strengths of both the comprehensive and incremental planning to be able to recognise emerging trends and to make an e-business strategy. The method provides a basic schedule for organising planning activities. IS planning is seen as a continuous process that is periodically adjusted to the expectations of the participating managers. Practising managers can use the method to facilitate implementation of an incremental and continuous IS planning process. For e-business strategy research, the paper provides a theoretically based method that can be tested in future action research projects.The first results of conducted action research show that the method should not be used as a checklist but as a choice list. Each period had a constant focus on external developments and the fit with internal possibilities. The method provided a flexible and dynamic basis for actions. The emergent nature of the changes and the difficulty of formalising creativity and innovation placed restrictions on the planning process. We learned that a thematic approach where each cycle is given a creative subject helped to “open up” the users in the organisation. Future research should focus on the inter-organisational nature of e-business strategy. If it is difficult to get top management participation, it will be even more difficult with more organisations involved.     

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.     

Does a contextualized theory of planned behavior explain why teenagers stay in virtual worlds?

Academics and business practitioners are intrigued by the factors that foster continued user engagement in virtual worlds (VWs). It is unclear how, and to what extent, existing theories can explain their continued use. As young people constitute the majority of VW users, understanding the reasons for their continued use intentions is important. Taking the distinctive features of VW services into account, such as the visibility of users’ actions to other users, we contextualize the Theory of Planned Behavior and investigate the role of teenagers’ attitudes, social influences and perceived behavioral control as the determinants of their continued intention to use VW. We then apply a set of constructs from prior Information Systems (IS) literature to decompose these constructs. By analyzing primary data collected from 923 users of Habbo Hotel, a leading virtual world for teenagers, this study confirms the role of users’ intrinsic motivation, interpersonal influence and self-efficacy as key constituents of sustained user engagement in VWs. In addition, we demonstrate that decomposing these three established constructs can capture many of the key contextual characteristics of VWs. The study contributes to the literature by showing that IS theories and constructs are appropriate for the VW setting and teenage users.     

Associations between user training and information systems success

What type and amount of computer-related training are available to information system (IS) users? And, how do these relate to their (users) perceptions of the success of the systems used? This paper reports on a study designed to answer such questions. Data were collected from 98 IS users in 16 different departments of 12 organizations. The results indicate that there exist positive associations between various types of computer-related training/educational programmes an organization provides to IS users and the perceived success of IS. Specifically, the availability of a computer resident expert in the organizational functional area of users has the most significant positive relationship with success.     

神经信息系统研究:定位、方法和展望

近些年，认知神经科学的研究方法有效弥补了传统信息系统（IS）研究存在的不足，降低了传统研究自我报告方法的测量误差，客观并准确地测量用户决策的心理加工过程，推进了信息系统科学研究的发展。通过介绍信息系统研究领域的国际前沿——神经信息系统研究（NeuroIS），力图帮助IS研究者更好地了解NeuroIS国内外研究现状，洞察进入NeuroIS这一前沿领域所需的相关知识和技术基础。通过收集并阅读NeuroIS自提出以来至今的文献，回顾并总结其发展历程、学科定位、常用研究工具和研究问题，论述NeuroIS研究应该明确的定位和工具选择的方法，并对现有文献的研究主题进行梳理，最后提出NeuroIS未来研究的实用性建议。