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Comparison on effect mechanism of continuance usage between entertainment and knowledge apps: a qualitative analysis of online reviews

Shanshan Shang (School of Business and Management, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China)
Chenhui Du (School of Business and Management, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China)
Jilan Wu (School of Information Management and Engineering, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China and Zhejiang College, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Jinhua, China)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 7 December 2021

Issue publication date: 1 February 2022

566

Abstract

Purpose

Continuance usage of mobile applications (apps) has attracted much attention from scholars and enterprises, while the extant research mainly focuses on continuance intention. The inner effect mechanism of the characteristics of apps is still unclear. Under the tenet of continuance usage behaviour, through analysis of characteristics derived from online reviews, this paper aims to establish an effective model and discloses the commonalities and differences between two mainstream apps, which are entertainment and knowledge apps.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected reviews of TikTok and Zhihu, which are typical representatives of entertainment and knowledge apps, respectively, from 2018 to 2020. They then derive effect factors and establish the effect model using grounded theory. A deep comparison is then conducted. They analysed the similarities and differences in the general effect model, internal effect mechanism and detailed characteristics of the two types of apps.

Findings

Entertainment app and knowledge apps share the same general effect mechanism; that is, the effect chain of characteristics to perceived value then finally to continuance usage behaviour. However, obvious differences also exist in detailed and specific effects between the two apps.

Originality/value

The present research is among the first to have a deep analysis of the comparison of entertainment apps and knowledge apps under the context of continuance usage behaviour. The findings contribute to understanding continuance usage behaviours. Suggestions are proposed on how to promote apps, which may benefit app managers.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the editors and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive guidance and suggestions during the review process. The authors are grateful to Wenfei Lyv for her help in the language expression improvement and Chen Pei for her help in reference consistency check.

Citation

Shang, S., Du, C. and Wu, J. (2022), "Comparison on effect mechanism of continuance usage between entertainment and knowledge apps: a qualitative analysis of online reviews", The Electronic Library, Vol. 40 No. 1/2, pp. 38-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2021-0140

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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