Explaining user experience in mobile gaming applications: an fsQCA approach

Abstract

In the complex ecosystem of mobile applications multiple factors have been used to explain users' behavior, without though focusing on how different combinations of variables may affect user behavior. We show how price value, game content quality, positive and negative emotions, gender, and gameplay time interact with each other to predict high intention to download mobile games. Design/methodology/approach Building on complexity theory we present a conceptual model followed by research propositions. Our propositions are empirically validated through configurational analysis, employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on 531 active users of mobile games. Findings Findings identify ten solutions that explain high intention to download mobile games. Alternative paths are identified depending on the gender and the time users spend playing mobiles games. We highlight the role of price value and game content quality, as well as that of positive emotions which are always core factors when present. Originality/value To identify complex interactions among the variables of interest, fsQCA is employed, differentiating from traditional studies using variance-based methods, leading to multiple solutions explaining the same outcome. None of the variables explains intention to download on its own, but only when they combine with each other. We (1) extend existing knowledge on how price value, game content quality, emotions, gender, and gameplay time combine to lead to high intention to download mobile games, and (2) present a methodology for how to bridge complexity theory with fsQCA, improving our understanding of intention to adopt mobile applications.

Promoting built-for-disaster-purpose mobile applications: An interdisciplinary literature review to increase their penetration rate among tourists

“…The TPI has been used to evaluate the adoption of business mobile services, and its results suggest that to the primary factors for adopting the mobile application are job level (e.g., higher for senior management) and the relative perceived importance of mobile applications and social media in work-related contexts ( Hallikainen et al, 2019 ). However, the complexity theory and configuration theory suggest that users' decision to adopt any type of app may be influenced by alternative sets of causal conditions ( Pappas, Mikalef, Giannakos, & Kourouthanassis, 2019 ). According to the complexity theory, relations among variables are complex and depending on their combination; users may download an economically convenient app even if they are unsatisfied with its content ( Pappas et al, 2019 ).…”

“…However, the complexity theory and configuration theory suggest that users' decision to adopt any type of app may be influenced by alternative sets of causal conditions ( Pappas, Mikalef, Giannakos, & Kourouthanassis, 2019 ). According to the complexity theory, relations among variables are complex and depending on their combination; users may download an economically convenient app even if they are unsatisfied with its content ( Pappas et al, 2019 ). At the same time, due to the concept of causal asymmetry included in the configuration theory, users may decide to download very expensive apps due to a combination of other valuable factors (e.g., higher perceived content quality; Pappas et al, 2019 ).…”

“…According to the complexity theory, relations among variables are complex and depending on their combination; users may download an economically convenient app even if they are unsatisfied with its content ( Pappas et al, 2019 ). At the same time, due to the concept of causal asymmetry included in the configuration theory, users may decide to download very expensive apps due to a combination of other valuable factors (e.g., higher perceived content quality; Pappas et al, 2019 ). Individual perceptions of a specific app may vary by person ( Yang & Lin, 2019 ), as some users may decide to adopt the mobile application, while other groups of potential users may resist.…”

“…The literature on mobile application adoption shows how the complex relationship between behavioral variables and their causal asymmetry influences the users' behavior ( Pappas et al, 2019 ). These dynamics, the individual perceptions of apps ( Yang & Lin, 2019 ), and the potential presence of resistors to their adoption ( Chen et al, 2019 ) are also expected to influence the success of disaster apps.…”

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