Reconsidering the “what is beautiful is good” effect: When and how design aesthetics affect intentions towards mobile banking applications
International Journal of Bank Marketing
ISSN: 0265-2323
Article publication date: 19 June 2019
Issue publication date: 10 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Applying the stimulus–organism–response model, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of design aesthetics (stimulus) on adoption and recommendation intentions (response) of mobile banking applications through the mediating role of perceived usefulness and trust (organism). Importantly, this research further examines the moderating effect of persuasion knowledge, which attenuates the effects of design aesthetics on perceived usefulness and trust.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey is conducted with the help of panellist among a sample of 213 bank customers who are not yet users of mobile banking. Data are analysed using the PROCESS macro.
Findings
The results show that design aesthetics positively influence perceived usefulness and trust. These variables, in turn, positively affect adoption and recommendation intentions of mobile banking applications. Interestingly, the findings also demonstrate that persuasion knowledge moderates the effects of design aesthetics on perceived usefulness and trust, as well as their mediating effect.
Originality/value
Because the results demonstrate that persuasion knowledge weakens the effects of design aesthetics on perceived usefulness and trust, the originality of this research rests upon its reconsideration of the “what is beautiful is good” effect and the questioning of the supremacy of this effect. These results provide insights for academics to better explain and increase adoption and recommendation intentions. Moreover, the results can help banking practitioners to improve their policies and strategies pertaining to mobile banking applications.
Keywords
Citation
Chaouali, W., Ben Yahia, I., Lunardo, R. and Triki, A. (2019), "Reconsidering the “what is beautiful is good” effect: When and how design aesthetics affect intentions towards mobile banking applications", International Journal of Bank Marketing, Vol. 37 No. 7, pp. 1525-1546. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-12-2018-0337
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited