Exploring Factors Shaping Mobile Application Usage in Rural Uttarakhand: A Study in Selected Villages of Chamoli, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Tehri, and Uttarkashi Districts

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the impact of diverse factors on the usage behavior of mobile applications among users in the rural regions of Uttarakhand specifically in villages situated in Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, and Uttarkashi districts. The primary objective was to ascertain whether factors such as the Ease of Use of applications, Privacy & Security considerations, Satisfaction levels, Digital Literacy levels, and Internet Accessibility collectively influence the usage behavior of mobile application users. To conduct the study, a descriptive research design was employed, and primary data was collected from rural areas in Uttarakhand. The influence of various factors was analyzed using the ANOVA test. The findings of the study indicate that all the aforementioned factors significantly impact the usage behavior of mobile applications in these rural areas. Additionally, the study suggests a widespread increase in the future adoption of mobile applications in these regions.