Enhanced information systems continuance model for mobile wellness applications

Abstract

Usage of Mobile Wellness Application (MWA) has been proven to be one of the ways to overcome obesity through the practice of self monitoring. However, based on the literature, users have difficulties in prolonging the usage of MWA. Study of MWA continuance use seems to be one of the less explored and examined topics in Information System (IS) domains. Also, most of the existing researches regarding MWA gave focus more on the effectiveness and approaches in developing MWA and were not guided by IS theories. Thus, this study aims to identify factors that influence continuance use of MWA in the context of Malaysia by adapting the Information System Continuance Model (ISCM) as a post adoption IS theory. A survey method was applied using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from 164 users of MWA from two different sources; MWA users whom undergone a wellness programme for 10 months and MWA users from online wellness groups on the internet. Partial Least Squares (PLS) method based on Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used for analysing the survey data. The outcome of this study offered a theoretical model for encouraging the continuance use of MWA. This research reveals that Perceived Interactivity and Social Norm also influence the continuance use of MWA, and Perceived Usefulness is found to be the strongest factor. Finally, the findings of this study can be useful to MWA users and mobile apps developers, and has the potential to be a guidance for marketing strategy to produce a sustainable MWA in the mobile apps market.