Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumers’ acceptance and use of sports and fitness wearable devices based on technology readiness (TR). In addition, the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM) will be used to investigate consumers’ intention to use sports wearable devices (for simplicity, sports wearable devices will be simplified to the term “sports wearables”). Design/methodology/approach Convenience sampling was conducted from Korean consumers (n=247). Data were analyzed by partial least squares–structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 3.0. Findings The results found that positive TR has a positive influence on perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU), and negative TR had a negative influence on PEOU and PU. PEOU had a positive influence on perceived usefulness (PU). Both PEOU and PU led to intention to use sports wearable devices. Also, the multi-group analysis found a positive correlation between TR and PEOU for especially male users. Originality/value The findings of this study provide a better understanding of consumers’ behavioral intent to use sports wearables. Particularly, it also provides evidence that the TRAM is an appropriate framework for predicting users’ intention to use sports wearables. This study also stresses the important role of TR in consumers’ psychological processes leading up to the actual use of novel sports wearables.

PurposeThis study aimed to explore consumers' continuance intention to use a fitness and health app by applying two theoretical models: the expectation–confirmation model (ECM) and the investment model (IM).Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was administered to consumers who are currently using fitness and health apps (N = 342). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using Amos 22.0 software to examine the hypothesized relationships in the research model.FindingsResults revealed that users' continuance intention was significantly predicted by the two models. Within the ECM, the positive and significant relationships among variables were found. Moreover, users' satisfaction and investment size had positive impacts on their commitment, which, in turn, positively affected the intention. Also, confirmation of expectations had a positive impact on investment size.Originality/valueThe integrated model helps better understand fitness and health app users' decision-making process from the perspective of relationship commitment and suggests practical implications for health and fitness app providers.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore both the cognitive and affective images and examine the effects of destination image through both aspects on satisfaction levels and tourist loyalty. Design/methodology/approach Data collection was conducted using the convenience sampling method. The on-site survey was carried out with Chinese tourists at the popular tourist sites in Seoul City. Findings The results showed that the cognitive image had a direct influence on the affective image and confirmed the formation process of the destination image. Both cognitive and affective images had positive influences on satisfaction, and in turn, satisfaction predicted tourist loyalty. Moreover, the relationship between destination image and loyalty revealed that the affective image had a direct influence on tourist loyalty. Although the cognitive image showed no direct linkage to tourist loyalty, the authors found that it had an indirect influence on tourist loyalty through affective image and satisfaction. Originality/value The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the process that determines Chinese tourists’ destination choices and loyalty. Moreover, it provides insightful implications for the Korean Government, the Korea Tourism Organization and tourism operators.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine individuals' decisions to use health and fitness apps by applying the extended technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM), which combines technology readiness (TR), the technology acceptance model (TAM) and perceived enjoyment (PEN). Moreover, this study explores the differences between users and non-users regarding their intentions to use health and fitness apps.Design/methodology/approachData collection (n = 206) was conducted using convenience sampling from four large universities in South Korea. The data were analysed by partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.0.FindingsThe results revealed that positive TR positively affects perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU) and PEN, while negative TR had a negative impact only on PEN. Furthermore, the significant relationships between PEOU, PU and PEN were identified. In addition, multigroup analyses indicated that the relationships between positive TR and PEN, between PEN and PEOU, between PEOU and PU, and between PU and behavioural intention were positively stronger for app users.Originality/valueThis study initially applied the TRAM to understand individuals' behavioural intentions to use health and fitness apps. Moreover, this study identified the distinct roles of positive and negative TR affecting individuals' cognition regarding using health and fitness apps. The differences in the psychological processes between app users and non-users offer insights and implications for practitioners.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the purchase intention of counterfeit sporting goods between Singaporean and Taiwanese students using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative approach was taken, collecting data from Singaporean and Taiwanese students studying in tertiary institutions. In total, 295 valid questionnaires were included in the data analysis. Findings – The results showed that consumers’ attitude, subjective norm, and brand consciousness were predictive of purchase intention for both countries, whereas perceived behavioral control had an effect only among Taiwanese students. Further analysis showed that Singapore students had significantly higher positive attitudes toward the purchase of counterfeit sporting goods and higher levels of acceptance from peers in purchasing counterfeits. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this study was that respondents were selected from the undergraduate population and as such were relatively younger than the general population. Originality/value – The findings of this study provides a better understanding on how these factors affect purchase intention of counterfeit sporting goods across countries.