System Characteristic or User Purpose? - A Multi-group Analysis on the Adoption of Online Shopping by Mobility Impaired and Unimpaired Users

Abstract

Since van der Heijden (2004) it is widely accepted that hedonic and utilitarian information systems underlie different adoption mechanisms. Within this research, we compare two homogenous user groups and their adoption behaviors with respect to e-commerce websites. The groups thereby differ only in the fact that one of them consists of individuals suffering from mobility impairment. Consistent with theory in psychology and medical rehabilitation that suggests that disablement leads to an adapted evaluation of surroundings (including ICT) in terms of needs and purposes, we show by means of a multi-group structural equation analysis that concerning adoption determinants of a system, not only the mere system characteristics (utilitarian vs. hedonic) matter, but also the value that is attached to the system by the user in terms of his personal needs. The results indicate that although ecommerce websites are predominantly classified as hedonic system, the adoption of them by the mobility- impaired group is predominantly determined by perceived usefulness. This leads to the discussion if user characteristics in terms of physical capabilities and the needs they imply should be attached more importance to in IS adoption research.