A study of active usage of mobile instant messaging application : An attachment theory perspective

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

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Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-168
Journal / PublicationInformation Development
Volume33
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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DOI

DOI
Check@CityULib
Link to Scopus https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85011690487&origin=recordpage
Permanent Link https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(d87176df-5293-41cb-960e-f3b870c9b179).html

Abstract

This paper studies the antecedents of active usage of mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications based on an attachment theory perspective. It proposes MIM identification; self-congruence, design aesthetics, interactivity, mobility and feedback can be the factors that influence active usage of MIM from a user-device attachment perspective. It also explores two working mechanisms of these factors: emotional attachment and functional dependence. By using a survey method, 294 valid responses were collected from Chinese active smartphone users and were analyzed using structural equation modelling. The results of the analysis indicate that MIM identification, self-congruence and design aesthetics influence emotional attachment significantly, and mobility and design aesthetics influence functional dependence significantly. Besides, interactivity and feedback do not have any significant impact on functional dependence. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Research Area(s)

  • attachment theory, China, information technology adoption, mobile instant messaging, usage

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Publication fingerprints text

100
Attachment Theory Keyphrases
100
Active Use Keyphrases
100
Mobile Instant Mess... Keyphrases
100
Application Computer Science
100
Mobile Instant Mess... Computer Science
100
design INIS
100
applications INIS
100
aesthetics INIS
100
Interactivity Psychology
100
Congruence Psychology
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Citation Format(s)

[ RIS ] [ BibTeX ]
A study of active usage of mobile instant messaging application: An attachment theory perspective. / Wu, Tailai; Lu, Yaobin; Gong, Xiuyuan et al.
In: Information Development, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2017, p. 153-168.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review