Videoconferencing continuance and business trip reduction in the post-pandemic age

Abstract

Videoconferencing (VC) software was widely adopted by organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain business communication during the suspension of business travel. In the post-pandemic age, will organizations continue to use VC software, and how will VC continuance influence the number of business trips? We conceptualize business travel as a communication problem and conduct an empirical study to investigate the use of VC during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on future business travel. We identify the technology–organization–environment framework as a theoretical tool to guide our research design. Using a sample of business managers in Hong Kong and the United States and the seemingly unrelated regression methodology, we identify the relative advantage, top management, and competition intensity factors that support VC continuance and business trip reduction in the post-pandemic age. This study enhances research on information systems continuance and provides practical implications for business trip planning.