Title
Examining mobile instant messaging user loyalty from the perspectives of network externalities and flow experience
Abstract
Due to the intense competition and low switching cost, building user loyalty is critical for mobile instant messaging (IM) service providers. Integrating both perspectives of network externalities and flow experience, this research identified the factors affecting mobile IM user loyalty. Network externalities include referent network size and perceived complementarity. Flow experience includes perceived enjoyment and attention focus. We conducted data analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that both network externalities and flow experience significantly affect perceived usefulness and satisfaction, further determining user loyalty. Thus mobile service providers need to improve their IM platforms, and deliver positive network externalities and good usage experience to users. Then they can facilitate users' loyalty.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1016/j.chb.2010.11.013
Computers in Human Behavior
Keywords
Field
DocType
Network externalities,Flow experience,Mobile IM,Loyalty
Complementarity (molecular biology),Structural equation modeling,Loyalty,Network effect,Psychology,Referent,Mobile service,Knowledge management,Service provider,Mobile instant messaging
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
27
2
Computers in Human Behavior
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
86
1.61
32
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Tao Zhou12744152.77
Yaobin Lu2103634.08