What motivates the intention of seeking confirmed cases' activity trajectory information in public health emergencies? An information ecology theory analysis

Abstract

PurposeIn public health emergencies, seeking confirmed cases’ activity trajectory information (CCATI) is crucial to the public’s efforts to combat the epidemic. The public can stabilize their sentiments and mitigate the risk of cross-infection by obtaining CCATI. We investigated the factors influencing users' intentions to seek CCATI to enhance the government’s risk communication capabilities and improve information platform services.Design/methodology/approachWe analyzed how information ecological factors affect the intention to seek CCATI through perceived value. Data was collected from 429 Chinese citizens during the fourth wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We used the structural equation model technology and bootstrap mediation effect test to examine the model.FindingsInformation understandability, information relevance, perceived severity and perceived vulnerability directly and positively affect the intention of seeking CCATI. While, the above relationships are also partially mediated by emotional value and functional value. Social support directly and negatively affects the intention of seeking CCATI, while the relationship is also partially mediated by emotional value and functional value. Curiosity directly and positively affects the intention of seeking CCATI, while the relationship is also partially mediated by emotional value. The relationship between the quality of the search service and the intention of seeking CCATI is not significant, instead, it is fully mediated by functional value. The influence effect of information relevance on the intention of seeking CCATI is the greatest, followed by perceived vulnerability. The mediating effect of functional value is higher than emotional value.Practical implicationsThe findings may help governments enhance their risk communication capabilities and improve epidemic prevention and control measures, enhancing the appeal of information platforms.Originality/valueWe focused on CCATI, an area with limited scholarly attention. We analyzed CCATI-seeking factors using an information ecology theory, introducing perceived value as a mediator, thus offering novel perspectives and models.