Consumer expectations from the use of mHealth technologies; a study into expectation (dis)confirmation and adaptation strategies
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2024-07-05
Language
en
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This master's thesis explores how consumers adapt to the (dis)confirmation of their expectations from using mobile health (mHealth), as this experience is not fully explored in the existing literature. The objective of this thesis is to explore user expectations and experiences with mHealth devices and applications, and investigate how users adapt to the (dis)confirmation of their expectations. The research question is addressed through a qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with ten mHealth users who track their activities and/or sleep. The expectations from starting to use mHealth are described as enjoyment and interest, performance and community comparison, activity tracking and self-management, goal achievement and penalty avoidance, and activity confirmation. Confirming and disconfirming these expectations can either positively or negatively impact user engagement and lead to identical coping or adaptation strategies. The adaptation strategies that are negative for engagement in mHealth are distancing, adjusting, ignoring, and discontinuing. The adaptation strategy that is positive for engagement in mHealth is benefits maximising. This master’s thesis advances both theory and practice on consumer experience and adaptation strategies by providing an understanding of how motives to use mHealth are connected to expectations, and how individuals adapt to the (dis)confirmation of these expectations. This understanding fills the gap in the existing literature and helps the stakeholders of mHealth devices and applications understand and respond to consumer experience.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen