Developing and validating a technology upgrade model

Abstract

While prior research has recognized users’ upgrading behavior as a key to successful tech-innovation adoption, few studies have investigated the determinants of the behavioral intention to upgrade. The current paper bridges this gap through an exploration of upgrade intentions that incorporates the status quo bias (SQB) theory with Warshaw’s purchase intention model (PIM). Data collected from 213 system users was analyzed using partial least squares (PLS). The results show that perceived need (positively) and inertia (negatively) influenced users’ behavioral intentions to upgrade to a new generation system. The indirect effects of inertia mediated the impact of incumbent system habit, procedural switching costs, and benefit loss costs on the behavioral intention to upgrade. In addition, perceived need mediated the impacts of procedural switching costs, benefit loss costs, and social norms on the behavioral intention to upgrade. Finally, inertia significantly weakened the positive relationship between perceived need and behavioral intention to upgrade. Based on these findings, this study proposed a theoretical framework of a technology upgrade model (TUM) and provided valuable information to both academics and practitioners that is highly pertinent to understanding IT upgrading behaviors.