A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Flow Experience on Continuance Intention in e-Learning: The Need for Overarching Evidence Synthesis

Abstract

The application of the concept of flow in the context of the e-learning environment has widespread benefits. Creating a sense of flow can result in a positive learner experience and continuance in the e-learning environment. However, in the past two decades, applying the flow concept in analysing continuance intention in an e-learning context has been vague and complicated due to the broad nature and learners’ behaviour. This includes the lack of certainty in operationalising the flow framework, theories, multitude of methods, or delivery settings. More specifically, uncertainty persists regarding the association between flow experience and continuance in e-learning. Hence, we intend to systematically review, synthesise and appraise the literature on the operationalisation of flow experience, methods used to study the flow concept, and the relationship between flow experience and continuance intention. We reported this systematic review according to the guidance of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Electronic database searches on Scopus, Web of Science, JSTOR, and manual searches yielded 913 potential papers. Overall, n=20 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2021 satisfying the eligibility criteria were included. The synthesis identified that all the studies applied quantitative research design to examine the relationship between flow experience and continuance intention. While evidence also accumulated that no included studies have conceptualised flow experience considering all the nine dimensions, the lack of certainty in operationalising the flow framework applied in e-learning invites the attention of the researchers to validate the dimensions. Finally, most studies in the review exhibited a significant relationship between flow experience and continuance intention. The study provides a comprehensive synthesis and an in-depth analysis of the body of knowledge produced in the area of flow experience and continuance in the e-learning context, as it helps in providing implications for online marketers, learners, and academic institutions. The approach incorporated for synthesising evidence in this study lays a rigorous benchmark for conducting systematic reviews. This research study will be an asset for researchers and methodologists undertaking systematic reviews in e-learning. A total n=20 peer-reviewed articles were included after performing a search on Scopus, Web of Science, and JSTOR. Results of the study reveal that all the studies applied quantitative research design for examining the relationship between flow experience and continuance intention. Further, the lack of certainty in operationalizing the flow framework applied in e-learning invites the attention of the researchers to validate the dimensions. Finally, the majority of the studies in the review exhibited a significant relationship between flow experience and continuance intention. The study provides a comprehensive synthesis and an in-depth analysis of the body of knowledge produced in the area of flow experience and continuance in the e-learning context, as it helps in providing implications for online marketers, learners, and academic institutions. The approach incorporated for synthesizing evidence in this study lays a rigorous benchmark for conducting systematic reviews. This paper will be a valuable asset for researchers and methodologists undertaking systematic reviews in e-learning.