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Personality Traits and Affordance Actualization: An Investigation of the Continued Use of Fitness Apps Abstract: Post-adoption behaviors, including the continued use of information technology (“IT continuance”), have long interested researchers in IT adoption and usage. Several models, such as the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM), have been employed widely in information systems to identify critical factors influencing IT continuance. The ECM emphasizes that users’ perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and confirmation of expectations affect IT continuance. In this dissertation, I argue that each technology possesses unique attributes that offer distinct advantages to specific users or user groups. These distinctions must be taken into account when studying IT continuance. These distinctions take the form of a technology’s features, affordance actualizations, and users’ characteristics. By understanding the interplay between these factors, we can understand one core factor of the ECM, namely perceived usefulness, which has a long-lasting impact on IT continuance. This dissertation argues that perceived usefulness is influenced by technology affordance actualizations, which are influenced by users’ personality traits using various technology’s features. A quantitative methodology was employed, and a survey instrument was developed, incorporating measures adopted from existing literature including the ECM, the big five personality traits, and new measures to uncover the fitness app affordances (e.g., exercise guidance) that users actualize using each of the app’s features (e.g., workout videos). The theoretical model, the survey results of 433 participants, and the analysis of covariance-based structural equation modeling are presented. The findings support the arguments in the IS literature regarding the explanatory power of the ECM for IT continuance. Additionally, the results confirm the dissertation’s hypothesis that actualizing the affordances of a fitness app influences users’ perception of the app’s usefulness. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that actualizing these affordances using specific features can lead to positive or negative perceptions of the app’s usefulness. Finally, the results also support the personality traits hypothesis presented in this dissertation, showing that certain personality traits influence the actualization of affordances. The study also reveals novel affordances that are actualized through the utilization of Fitbit features. The insights offered by this dissertation contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors that impact IT continuance and provide valuable guidance for developing user-centered technologies that promote continued usage. Dissertation Committee: Prof. Bengisu Tulu (Chair) Prof. E. Vance Wilson Prof. Adrienne Hall-Phillips |
September 25, 2023 (Monday)2:00 – 4:00 PMZoom linkhttps://wpi.zoom.us/j/7327321458 Room: Kaven Hall 115 - Classroom   Moayad AlshawmarMoayad's research interest lies in uncovering factors impacting the users-technology relationship. In particular, Moayad's research focuses on wellness mobile health (mHealth) apps developed to enhance users' health and well-being by motivating and guiding users to form healthy habits such as exercise and nutrition. By utilizing qualitative and quantitative methodologies, Moayad has presented his works at several IS conferences such as HICSS and AMCIS. Contact: malshawmar@wpi.edu
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