Attitude Toward Mobile Text Messaging: An Expectancy-Based Perspective

Abstract

Mobile text messaging is one of the world’s most popular asynchronous communication tools, but few empirical studies have examined users’ abilities and attitudes toward such technologies. The study employs 2 distinct, yet complementary, expectancy-based constructs (i.e., self-efficacy and locus of control) to predict anxiety and attitude valence toward mobile text messaging. Survey data collected from text messaging users show that the attitude toward text messaging behaviors can be examined through their beliefs in their competence and sense of control. Results indicate that enhancing users’ ability and their sense of personal control can further the use of future mobile text-based applications and services. These findings suggest that future research should consider incorporating these variables into existing information technology adoption frameworks.