IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2012

A Tale of Four Functions in a Multifunctional Device: Extending Implementation Intention Theory

Julian Lin National University of Singapore ; Hock Chan ; Lingling Xu National University of Singapore

Abstract

Research problem: This study examines functions in a multifunctional device, the smartphone. Specifically, it explores (1) to what extent does the theory of planned behavior capture user evaluation of different functions? (2) to what extent does pleasure have positive effects on intentions of different functions? (3) to what extent could the implementation intention theory identify the important functions? Literature review: To answer these questions, we look at the Theory of Planned Behavior which has been used to examine a single function device and test the predictability of the theory for a multifunctional system. We also review the Implementation Intention Theory and test the predictability of the theory for identifying important functions. Methodology: A quantitative survey of more than 200 smartphone owners in information-technology shopping malls and customer service centers for major smartphone brands was conducted. Results: The results from the data collected show that the theory of planned behavior and the additional pleasure construct explain more than 50% of the variance in intentions. The effect of pleasure on intention varies from one function to another. In general, pleasure shows much stronger effects for high-hedonic functions than for low-hedonic functions. In addition, the Implementation Intention Theory reveals that phone and organizer are the most important functions. Implications: These results contribute to research on multifunctional systems and communication technology, the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Implementation Intention Theory, and to the practitioners. However, the results of this study may be somewhat limited to users in a modern city. Future research could extend this study to include a task dimension, to compare different technologies and their functions, and to look at modality preferences.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2012-03-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2011.2182570
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Lowry et al. (2014)
    Partial Least Squares (PLS) Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for Building and…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (100) · 11 in this index

  1. 10.1348/014466699164022
     ↗
  2. 10.1086/209170
     ↗
  3. 10.1037/0022-3514.81.5.946
     ↗
  4. 10.1016/S0022-4359(01)00051-3
     ↗
  5. pavlou (2006)
    Understanding and predicting electronic commerce adoption: An extension of the theory of …
    MIS Quart  ↗
Show all 100 →
  1. lin (2003)
    Function-based analysis of an E-commerce website
    Proc 24th Annu Int Conf Inf Syst
  2. ajzen (1988)
    Attitudes Personality and Behavior
  3. 10.1002/(SICI)1099-0992(199908/09)29:5/6<591::AID-EJSP948>3.0.CO;2-H
     ↗
  4. 10.1007/978-3-642-75961-1
     ↗
  5. 10.1080/14792779343000059
     ↗
  6. 10.1006/obhd.2000.2896
     ↗
  7. 10.1287/isre.6.2.144
     ↗
  8. gefen (2000)
    The relative importance of perceived ease of use in IS adoption: A study of e-commerce adoption
    J Assoc Inf Syst
  9. 10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
     ↗
  10. 10.1111/j.1540-5915.1998.tb01347.x
     ↗
  11. 10.2307/3150499
     ↗
  12. 10.1111/j.1540-5915.2001.tb00978.x
     ↗
  13. brown (2005)
    A model of adoption of technology in the household: A baseline model test and extension i…
    MIS Quart  ↗
  14. 10.1287/isre.2.3.173
     ↗
  15. (0)
    Gartner says windows mobile devices drove worldwide PDA Market to 40 percent growth in first quarter of 2007
  16. hsieh (2008)
    Understanding digital inequality: Comparing continued behavioral models of the socio-econ…
    MIS Quart  ↗
  17. triandis (1980)
    Values, attitudes, and interpersonal behavior
    Nebraska Symp Motivation 1979
  18. 10.1080/08870449808406752
     ↗
  19. van der heijden (2004)
    User acceptance of hedonic information systems
    MIS Quart  ↗
  20. kim (2007)
    Hedonic usage of product virtualization technologies in online apparel shopping
    Int J Retail Distrib Manage  ↗
  21. 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2006.11.009
     ↗
  22. 10.2753/MIS0742-1222220305
     ↗
  23. manstead (1995)
    10.1080/14792779443000012
    Eur Rev Social Psychol  ↗
  24. 10.1037/0021-9010.77.1.94
     ↗
  25. 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1998.tb01684.x
     ↗
  26. 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1999.tb02298.x
     ↗
  27. 10.1348/014466601164704
     ↗
  28. 10.2307/249008
     ↗
  29. 10.1016/j.dss.2006.03.009
     ↗
  30. Orr (2010)
    Assessment in Professional Communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  31. 10.1287/mnsc.35.8.982
     ↗
  32. Kaba et al. (2009)
    Micro Factors Influencing the Attitudes toward and the Use of a Mobile Technolo…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  33. triandis (1977)
    Interpersonal Behavior
  34. yuen (2003)
    PDAs as educational power tools
    Tech Directions
  35. tseng (2004)
    Special issue on mobile computing
    J Inf Sci Eng
  36. 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1998.tb01685.x
     ↗
  37. 10.1080/026999398379754
     ↗
  38. 10.1037/0022-3514.42.4.619
     ↗
  39. 10.1207/s15324834basp1802_1
     ↗
  40. 10.1348/014466601164939
     ↗
  41. 10.1002/asi.20453
     ↗
  42. 10.1348/135910704773891096
     ↗
  43. 10.1348/014466603322595248
     ↗
  44. 10.2307/249590
     ↗
  45. gefen (2000)
    Structural equation modeling and regression: Guidelines for research practice
    Commun Assoc Inf Syst
  46. neuman (2006)
    Social Research Methods Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
  47. 10.1086/209519
     ↗
  48. fornell (1987)
    Rev Market
  49. 10.1016/j.intacc.2005.01.005
     ↗
  50. 10.2307/3151361
     ↗
  51. 10.1287/isre.14.2.189.16018
     ↗
  52. komiak (2006)
    The effects of personalization and familiarity on trust and adoption of recommendation agents
    MIS Quart  ↗
  53. 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1992.tb00945.x
     ↗
  54. 10.1037/h0077714
     ↗
  55. 10.1086/209361
     ↗
  56. 10.1002/(SICI)1520-6793(199901)16:1<35::AID-MAR3>3.0.CO;2-U
     ↗
  57. 10.2307/1248701
     ↗
  58. 10.1177/0092070305276149
     ↗
  59. 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2006.05.001
     ↗
  60. 10.1177/0092070399272005
     ↗
  61. chau (1996)
    An empirical assessment of a modified technology acceptance model
    J Manage Inf Syst  ↗
  62. ajzen (1980)
    Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior
  63. emigh (2008 sep 26) (0)
    Convergence for the smartphone and credit card is nearer
  64. 10.1007/BF00436035
     ↗
  65. (0)
    Palm TX Reviews PDAs Reviews by CNET
  66. Hooijdonk et al. (2008)
    Information Modalities for Procedural Instructions: The Influence of Text, Pict…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  67. (0)
    World's first smart projector phone Samsung galaxy beam makes global debut in Singapore with StarHub
  68. Scott et al. (1999)
    Communication technology use and multiple workplace identifications among organ…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  69. 10.1109/TEM.2008.922641
     ↗
  70. Guo et al. (2008)
    An Exploratory Investigation into Instant Messaging Preferences in Two Distinct…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  71. 10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000619
     ↗
  72. Siau et al. (2010)
    Effects of National Culture on Types of Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Communities
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  73. (2007)
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication: Looking to the Past to Discove…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  74. 10.1109/IPCC.2009.5208675
     ↗
  75. 10.1109/IPCC.2010.5529811
     ↗
  76. Walton et al. (2009)
    Value-Sensitive Design and Health Care in Africa
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  77. Swarts (2005)
    PDAs in Medical Settings: The Importance of Organization in PDA Text Design
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  78. 10.1109/98.760419
     ↗
  79. (0)
    Wikipedia Personal Digital Assistant
  80. Baskerville et al. (2007)
    Activating and Perpetuating Virtual Teams: Now That We're Mobile, Where Do We Go?
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  81. (0)
    Gartner says worldwide combined PDA and smartphone shipments market grew 57 percent in the first half of 2006
  82. (0)
    Worldwide converged mobile device (smartphone) market continues to grow despite economic malaise says IDC
  83. Perugini (1996)
    Anytime, anywhere: the social impact of emerging communication technology
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  84. (0)
    Newsland published its regular survey of smart mobile device users in USA Europe and Russia for the first half of 2006
  85. 10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926
     ↗
  86. (0)
    Worldwide mobile phone shipments decline 15 8% in first quarter with growth stabilizing after a slow fourth quarter says IDC
  87. 10.1007/3-540-48157-5_12
     ↗
  88. fishbein (1975)
    Belief Attitude Intention and Behavior An Introduction to Theory and Research
  89. stephen (1994)
    The PDA may not be DOA after all
    Bus Week
  90. van der heijden (2002)
    On the cognitive-affective structure of attitudes toward information systems
    Proc 23rd Int Conf Inf Syst
  91. kendall (2010)
    Using the iPhone and iPod touch@Work
    Comput Libraries
  92. venkatesh (1996)
    User acceptance of information technology: Inside the American home
    Proc 17th Int Conf Inf Syst
  93. 10.1145/1290958.1290963
     ↗
  94. (0)
    Palm Inc
  95. (0)
    Graffiti (Palm OS)
CrossRef global citation count: 6 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related articles

  1. Rhetoric Society Quarterly Jun 2026
    Hype Circulation: Shaping Public Engagement with Emerging Technologies Through Anticipatory Communities and Embodiment ↗
    Rich Shivener; Jason Tham
    rhetorical criticism discourse analysis service learning assessment social media affect and writing body and rhetoric book reviews
  2. Assessing Writing Apr 2026
    Generative artificial intelligence for automated writing evaluation: A systematic review of trends, efficacy, and challenges ↗
    Shadi I. Abudalfa; Jessie S. Barrot
    assessment artificial intelligence book reviews
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2026
    US Hospital Educators' Technology Needs: A Qualitative Study for Developing Action-Oriented Technology ↗
    Margaret Webb; Sweta Baniya; Alexa Smith; Nadra Rasberry; Ihudiya Ogbonnaya-Ogburu
    modern rhetorical theory teacher development assessment professional writing qualitative research book reviews
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2026
    Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Study of Students’ and LSPs’ Perceptions of Translation Internships ↗
    Shuang Liu
    collaborative writing assessment professional writing empirical research book reviews
  5. Composition Forum 2026
    Review of Stephanie West-Puckett, Nicole I. Caswell, and William P. Banks’s Failing Sideways: Queer Possibilities for Writing Assessment ↗
    Jacob Herrmann
    assessment book reviews