Key Factors Affecting Mobile App Usage Intensity During Isolation: A Cross-National Study : Type of submission: Full research paper / Most relevant symposium: CSCI-ISMC

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the world, and citizens are feeling extreme anxiety and fear. Governments around the world are implementing various social measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing to prevent infection. University students have not been able to attend face-to-face lectures and are still receiving education through online lectures. Due to reduced outdoor activity and restrictions on private gatherings, students communicate socially or seek psychological stability through smartphones. This study identifies the antecedent factors that affect the usage intensity of mobile app use during the isolation period. Data were collected from 360 university students in South Korea and Vietnam. PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modeling) method was conducted for data analysis. The findings of this study reveal that the usage intensity of smartphones positively influences the usage intensity of mobile apps. The results show that affective risk perception has a significant effect on the usage intensity of smartphones. Cognitive risk perception is significantly associated with the usage intensity of mobile apps. Regulatory environment significantly affects both the usage intensity of mobile apps and smartphones. Several implications were described for researchers and practitioners.