Too Much Is Never Enough: An Analysis of Smart Device Purchase Intention

ABSTRACT

This study investigates users’ willingness to purchase additional smart devices to enhance their personal digital ecosystems. Specifically, it delves into how information system continuance intention and media system dependency influence the intention to purchase additional smart devices. Drawing on the assemblage theory, the study also examines the potential moderating effects of the satisfaction level and the number of smart devices already owned. Based on analysis of a sample comprising 400 smart device users, the study reveals that usage continuance intention and dependency have a significant and positive relation to purchase intention. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the positive impact of owning multiple smart devices on these relations. It is noteworthy that among users with a large number of smart devices, the link between continuance intention and purchase intention is significantly stronger when the satisfaction level is low. This finding underscores the potential risk of fostering a form of addiction.

KEY WORDS AND PHRASES:

• Assemblage theory
• device dependency
• media system dependency
• personal digital ecosystems
• purchase intention
• smart devices
• usage continuance intention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stefano Za

Stefano Za ([email protected]; corresponding author) is an associate professor of organization studies and information systems at the University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy. He is a member of the board of advisors of the Ph.D. program in accounting, management, and business economics. Dr. Za is the president of the Italian chapter of the Association for Information Systems and a member of the European Research Center for Information Systems network. His research interests include the analysis and design of digital artifacts and organizational systems, with focus on digital innovations and business transformation affecting people and organizations. He has been a member of program committees for national and international conferences in the information systems domain. Dr. Za has published in international conference proceedings, journals (such as Journal of Information Technology, Government Information Quarterly, Information and Management, Communications of the Association for Information Systems), and book series.

Alessandra Lazazzara

Alessandra Lazazzara ([email protected]) is an associate professor of organization theory and human resource management (HRM) at the University of Milan, Italy. Her research interests include job crafting, e-HRM, and diversity and inclusion. Her publications have appeared in HRM and organizational behavior journals such as the Journal of Vocational Behavior, International Journal of Human Resources Management, and Personnel Review. She is an editorial board member of International Journal of Human Resource Management, Industrial and Commercial Training, and other journals. Dr. Lazazzara is vice-president of the Italian Chapter of the Association for Information Systems, and a board member of the Association of Italian Organization Studies Academics.

Jessie Pallud

Jessie Pallud ([email protected]) is a full professor of management information systems at EM Strasbourg Business School and a member of the HuManiS research laboratory at the University of Strasbourg, France. She received her dual Ph.D. in management and computer information systems from Paris Dauphine University and Georgia State University. Dr. Pallud’s research focuses on information technology (IT)-related behaviors such as IT adoption and digitalization for the individual to examine new technological uses and work practices related to these technologies. She has published in top journal outlets such as Journal of Management Information Systems, European Journal of Information Systems, Information and Management, Information Systems Journal, Journal of Business Research, and Industrial Marketing Management.