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1 – 10 of over 5000
Article
Publication date: 11 March 2014

Bendegul Okumus and Anil Bilgihan

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of smartphone apps as tools to promote healthy eating behaviors, especially when ordering food and drinks in restaurants. This…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of smartphone apps as tools to promote healthy eating behaviors, especially when ordering food and drinks in restaurants. This paper also aims to develop a conceptual model based on literature to test users' intention to use smartphone apps as tools to promote healthy eating habits.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is written based on a synthesis of previous research in this area.

Findings

Smartphone apps are innovative channels for delivering individual health behavior changes. They offer a range of services that can improve the daily habits of their users. Smartphone apps allow users to keep up with their diets, exercise routines, and overall health. Based on an extensive review, this paper develops a conceptual model that includes the precursors of actual usage of smartphone apps that may assist in building healthy eating habits.

Practical implications

Restaurants are advised to consider developing apps that includes nutritional facts about their menu items. These apps could be used for both consumer education and marketing efforts. The conceptual framework developed in this paper suggests that perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, self-efficacy and social norms are the antecedents of intention to use these apps.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies in the foodservice and nutrition fields that looks at the smartphone apps' impact on healthy eating. It offers practical implications for restaurateurs and smartphone app developers. In addition, this is one of the first papers that offers a model to test smartphone users' intention to use smartphone apps when ordering food and drinks in restaurants.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

Essam Mansour

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use patterns and ownership of smartphone apps among students at the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) at the…

3139

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use patterns and ownership of smartphone apps among students at the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) at the South Valley University (SVU), Egypt. This study may help faculty members and students, as well as DLISs in general and SVU’s DLIS, in particular, to understand the nature and purpose of such use.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used quantitative research methodology in the form of a survey, which was undertaken from February to March 2015. The survey instrument was a self-administrated questionnaire, with a response rate 82.7 per cent (441/533).

Findings

The findings of this study showed that smartphone users (82.7 per cent) at SVU’s DLIS tended to be junior females. Smartphone non-users (17.3 per cent) tended to be also young females but primarily sophomores. The highest percentage of smartphone users had been using smartphones for four to five years, and the largest number of students was described to be advanced users who heard first about these mobile devices through friends and the Web. Most users had 21 to 25 apps. Social apps were the most popular and included Facebook, e-mail and Twitter. For professional purposes, students used smartphones more for communication purposes than learning purposes. Apps related to educational purposes included Google Mobile, Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, YouTube and Wikipedia Mobile. Students perceived most apps to be easy to use and useful to them. There were a number of uses for socializing including messaging, following the news and playing games. Students had mainly positive attitudes towards apps with a few negative concerns. Almost all students confirmed that they trust most apps. Barriers related to the use of apps included training and lack of awareness. Further research may be needed to specify the relationship between the students’ use of these apps and their academic performance. The main tasks done on smartphone devices were mainly for socializing. Students indicated that popular tasks and activities, such as sending and receiving messages, following the news, making communications, making chat, making friends, finding specific information, finding general information, making discussion groups, playing games, completing class assignments, checking materials related to courses, doing business, seeking jobs, watching movies, listening to music and accessing library services are important tasks accomplished by them through the use of these devices. The current study indicated very positive attitudes towards the use of these apps. Student at least agree with the statement that smartphone apps allow for easy dissemination of information, provide too much information, increase the speed of finding information, help communication, convenient, secure, build confident and reduce paper use. However, a large number of students also at least agree with the statement that these apps are time consuming, intimidating, addictive, violate privacy, require high language and technical skills, harmful and frustrating. Almost all students confirmed that they are at least trustful in some apps, such as WhatsApp, e-mail, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and Viber. A large number of smartphone users surveyed in this study have been described to make excessive usage of social apps, such as communication apps, messaging/texting apps and social networking sites, which were at the forefront of use. Additionally, a large number of them adopted these devices, especially for communication purposes. The most used apps were Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube and Viber. For professional purposes, students used smartphones more for communication purposes than learning purposes. However, some of the students were using some of apps related to educational purposes, such as Google mobile, Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, YouTube and Wikipedia mobile but not on a regular basis. Students perceived the use of e-mail app, Google mobile, Facebook app WhatsApp, Kik, Twitter, YouTube, Google maps, Viber, Line, Skype, Tango, Instagram, Flickr and Wikipedia mobile as at least fairly easy to them. Additionally, they perceived the use of e-mail app Google mobile, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Viber, Instagram, Wikipedia mobile, Google maps, Kik, Skype, Line, Tango and Flickr as at least fairly useful to them, especially for the purpose socialization more than learning.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses only on undergraduate library and information science students belonging to SVU’s DLIS, Egypt. Any findings and conclusions resulting from this study are limited in scope to only SVU’s DLIS’s undergraduate students. The study does not contain a significantly large sample of a population from across Egypt to draw meaningful widespread conclusions indicative of such a larger population.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insight into the use pattern of smartphones among a very important client group. It may serve as useful input to researchers who are interested in the study of mobile internet technologies (MITs), particularly in the education society.

Originality/value

Being the first study of its kind about university students in Egypt, it is considered a pioneering and a unique study among studies conducted in the field of ICTs and MITs, especially with this category of information users.

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2024

Haroon Iqbal Maseeh, Charles Jebarajakirthy, Achchuthan Sivapalan, Mitchell Ross and Mehak Rehman

Smartphone apps collect users' personal information, which triggers privacy concerns for app users. Consequently, app users restrict apps from accessing their personal…

74

Abstract

Purpose

Smartphone apps collect users' personal information, which triggers privacy concerns for app users. Consequently, app users restrict apps from accessing their personal information. This may impact the effectiveness of in-app advertising. However, research has not yet demonstrated what factors impact app users' decisions to use apps with restricted permissions. This study is aimed to bridge this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research method, the authors collected the data from 384 app users via a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using AMOS and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Findings

The findings suggest privacy concerns and risks have a significant positive effect on app usage with restricted permissions, whilst reputation, trust and perceived benefits have significant negative impact on it. Some app-related factors, such as the number of apps installed and type of apps, also impact app usage with restricted permissions.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, the authors provided several implications for app stores, app developers and app marketers.

Originality/value

This study examines the factors that influence smartphone users' decisions to use apps with restricted permission requests. By doing this, the authors' study contributes to the consumer behaviour literature in the context of smartphone app usage. Also, by explaining the underlying mechanisms through which the principles of communication privacy management theory operate in smartphone app context, the authors' research contributes to the communication privacy management theory.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 February 2021

Faizan Ali, Abraham Terrah, Chengzhong Wu, Laiba Ali and Hui Wu

This study aims to test the effect of system quality, information quality and service quality on user engagement and its effect on smartphone travel apps’ satisfaction, love and…

1951

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to test the effect of system quality, information quality and service quality on user engagement and its effect on smartphone travel apps’ satisfaction, love and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the self-selection sampling technique, data was collected from 417 respondents recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Data was subjected to partial least squares based structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results indicate that system quality, information quality and service quality have a significantly positive impact on user engagement with smartphone travel apps. Moreover, user engagement has a positive and significant impact on smartphone app satisfaction, smartphone app love and behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This is the first study to integrate DeLone and McLean (2003) updated information system success model and stimulus-organism-response model to propose a holistic model of user’s engagement with smartphone travel apps.

研究目的

本论文旨在检测智能手机旅游app的系统质量、信息质量、和服务质量对于用户参与度的作用, 以及其对app满意度、喜爱、和行为意愿的作用。

研究设计/方法/途径

本论文采用自选取样技术, 通过Amazon Mechanical Turk共搜集417分问卷。本论文采用PLS-SEM分析数据。

研究结果

研究结果表明, 系统质量、信息质量、和服务质量对智能手机旅游app的用户参与度起到显著的积极作用。此外, 用户参与度对智能手机app的满意度、喜爱、以及行为意图起到显著的积极作用。

研究原创性/价值

本论文是首篇结合Delone和McLean(2003)改良版IS Success 模型和Stimulus-Organism模型, 以建立针对智能手机旅游app用户参与度的综合类模型。

Article
Publication date: 7 October 2019

Bahadur Ali Soomro, Naimatullah Shah and Maqsood Memon

Nowadays, in mobile communication, smartphone is one of the modern progress and emergent phenomena for business as well as social networking. The purpose of this paper is to…

Abstract

Purpose

Nowadays, in mobile communication, smartphone is one of the modern progress and emergent phenomena for business as well as social networking. The purpose of this paper is to investigate an intention to adopt smartphone apps among the entrepreneurs of a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative methods based on cross-section data are employed for examining an intention towards adopting smartphone apps. The data are collected through a survey questionnaire. In the initial stage, 500 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the businessmen of a developing context. The value of the return samples is 280. The response rate has remained at 56 per cent.

Findings

By applying the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression show a positive and significant relationship of perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived enjoyment and satisfaction with an intention to adopt smartphone apps. On the other hand, a positive and non-significant relationship between social needs and the intention to adopt smartphone apps is investigated.

Practical implications

The present study may provide valuable insights into the use pattern of smartphones among entrepreneurs and contribute for nurturing an intention to adopt smartphone apps in the developing context. Moreover, such a study may contribute to the literature of the developing country context, especially in the perspective of developing an intention and attitude towards smartphone apps.

Originality/value

This paper offers the factors which may be supportive of the actual usage of smartphone applications. The study is original containing data from a developing country.

Details

World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 October 2020

Shampy Kamboj and Richa Joshi

Tourists regularly make use of their smartphones while staying at tourist destinations. Several studies have studied the outcomes of smartphone use at travel destinations. The…

1357

Abstract

Purpose

Tourists regularly make use of their smartphones while staying at tourist destinations. Several studies have studied the outcomes of smartphone use at travel destinations. The current paper believes tourists’ use of their smartphone or its apps because of their contact with tour friends, social loneliness-related concerns or its aesthetic scope. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors of continued use of smartphone apps via travelers during their stay at a tourism destination, framed within the UTAUT2 model (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), given intrinsic user attributes (innovativeness), tourism destination aspect (aesthetic scope and social loneliness) and one of the key characteristics of mobile devices (portability).

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 357 smartphone users who travelled to some tourist destinations and used some mobile apps during their stay. Data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The findings of the study show that the UTAUT2 model can effectively explain the use of smartphone apps at tourism destinations and characteristics of the user and mobile device, does affect behaviour outcomes (smartphone, intention to reuse app, satisfaction towards trip and loyalty towards app).

Originality/value

This paper is mainly important due to its emphasis on smartphone apps’ use during the travel stay, as the majority of the existing literature focusses on prior steps ( service booking).

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 April 2024

Nadia Jimenez, Sonia San Martin and Paula Rodríguez-Torrico

This study aims to focus on how smartphone addiction impacts young consumer behavior related to mobile technology (i.e. the compulsive app downloading tendency). After a thorough…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to focus on how smartphone addiction impacts young consumer behavior related to mobile technology (i.e. the compulsive app downloading tendency). After a thorough literature review and following the risk and protective factors framework, this study explores factors that could mitigate its effects (resilience, family harmony, perceived social support and social capital).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the covariance-based structural equation modeling approach to analyze data collected from 275 Generation Z (Gen Z) smartphone users in Spain.

Findings

Results suggest that resilience is a critical factor in preventing smartphone addiction, and smartphone addiction boosts the compulsive app downloading tendency, a relevant downside for younger Gen Z consumers.

Originality/value

Through the lens of the risk and protective factors framework, this study focuses on protective factors to prevent smartphone addiction and its negative side effects on app consumption. It also offers evidence of younger consumers’ vulnerability to smartphone addiction, not because of the device itself but because of app-consumption-related behaviors.

Details

Young Consumers, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-3616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2016

Siu-Tsen Shen

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a balanced study group consisting of 152 participants interact with, operate, customize, and control their smartphone applications…

1037

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a balanced study group consisting of 152 participants interact with, operate, customize, and control their smartphone applications.

Design/methodology/approach

This work uses a qualitative research methodology involving an online user study questionnaire, supported by e-mailed user screenshots and online conversations.

Findings

In terms of smartphone age, 72 per cent of the participants’ smartphones were less than two years old. This high level of churn rate was anticipated and will please retailers and marketers alike. This study found that the majority of smartphone users regularly arrange their app icons and that their categorization principle was based primarily on application associated functionality and frequency of use. This group of users seemed less concerned about the risks of privacy and security, and even when they had lost or had their smartphone stolen, few (5.2 per cent) had suffered from fraud, in contrast to the general perception of risk.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to have investigated the area of smartphone use from the users’ perspective, leading to important insights into application user behaviour and icon arrangement, and as well as alternative possible implications for launcher design.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2015

Jae-Pil Ha, Sun J Kang and Jaehyun Ha

This study proposes a conceptual model to comprehensively understand how sports fans perceive and accept smartphones and applications in a sport consumption context by developing…

Abstract

This study proposes a conceptual model to comprehensively understand how sports fans perceive and accept smartphones and applications in a sport consumption context by developing a series of propositions. Theoretically based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Sport Website Acceptance Model (SWAM), this study provides fundamental groundwork to better conceptualise sports fans' decision making processes involving the latest technology used to consume sport.

Details

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1464-6668

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 February 2020

Stephanie Bae, Jun Mo Kwon and Alyssa Bosley

The main purpose of this study is to investigate what affects a customer's decision to use the hotel smartphone applications when he/she makes a room reservation.

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Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate what affects a customer's decision to use the hotel smartphone applications when he/she makes a room reservation.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 266 usable data was collected through an online survey. The research model was tested using confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study revealed that perceived usefulness, perceived credibility, perceived equipment risk, and perceived change risk affected customers' intention to book a hotel room using hotel smartphone apps. Perceived ease of use did not have a significant effect on behavioral intention.

Originality/value

This study extended TAM and the existing literature of mobile technology in the lodging industry. This article explored both existing variables and new variables in studying customers' intention to use hotel smartphone apps when booking a hotel room.

Details

International Hospitality Review, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-8142

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 5000