Exploring continuance intention of social networking sites

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the determinants of continuance intention of social networking site (SNS) users through a new perspective and discuss how to retain SNS users. Design/methodology/approach The author proposed a research model by integrating network externalities and social support. Three dimensions of social support and two types of network externalities were analyzed, respectively, to explore the direct and indirect effects on continuance intention. Online questionnaires were adopted to collect data, and 513 valid samples were analyzed by structural equation modeling approach. Findings The findings show that network externalities have a significant indirect effect on user’ continuance intention through the mediation effects of social support, and among the three dimensions of social support, network management plays a more important role on continuance intention. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest that network externalities can trigger the function of social support to keep the “stickiness” of SNS users, and network management is the key dimension of online social support. Some other theoretical and practical implications are also provided. Originality/value The study is novel in exploring users’ continuance intention of SNSs by integrating social support and network externalities. Meanwhile, the author also intends to compare the effect of different dimensions of social support on SNS usage and discuss their internal relationships.

The Investigation of Mobile Health Stickiness: The Role of Social Support in a Sustainable Health Approach

“…Measures for instrumental stickiness and social stickiness were adapted from Lin [20], Yang and Lin [84], and Chiang and Hsiao [85]. Measures for continuance usage intention of MFAs were adapted from Bao [33]. Measures for continuance purchase intention in-app were adapted from Chin-Lung Hsu and Lin [21].…”

“…The relational view emphasizes the building and maintenance of the relationship between users and the website through personalized social and psychological exchanges [22,59,60]. Social support theory has been shown to provide sound theoretical grounds to explain the user-app interaction in the context of information support [33]. X. Lin et al [61] argue that social support is an antecedent of stickiness during user interactions with online social networking sites (SNS).…”

“…Thus, this naturally strengthens our case of expounding stickiness from multiple dimensions and gauging how it influence the user intentions. -Third: Prior studies have utilized the social support theory to understand healthrelated behaviors [30][31][32]; however, this theory has rarely been used to illustrate the interaction between users and IT applications from the vantage point of stickiness [33], even though social support finds its significance in e-health related issues [34]. The literature related to the theoretical paradigm of social support-to study e-health business enterprise-is still in its nascency.…”

Examining Self-Disclosure on Social Networking Sites: A Flow Theory and Privacy Perspective

“…The unique features of web 2.0, and its role in making the internet a more accessible and interactive environment [9] even for non-technical users, have facilitated the growth and spread of social media [15]. This online space has provided rich opportunities for brands seeking to connect with their consumers, as the number of useful platforms for such interactions have ballooned over the years since the technology was introduced [16]. One of the most ubiquitous and successful applications for this purpose is social media, which has been defined as “a variety of new sources of online information that are created, initiated, circulated and used by consumers intent on educating each other about products, brands, services, personalities, and issues” [17].…”

Examining Self-Disclosure on Social Networking Sites: A Flow Theory and Privacy Perspective

“…The unique features of web 2.0, and its role in making the internet a more accessible and interactive environment [8] even for non-technical users, have facilitated the growth and spread of social media [18]. This online space has provided rich opportunities for brands seeking to connect with their consumers, as the number of useful platforms for such interactions have ballooned over the years since the technology was introduced [19]. One of the most ubiquitous and successful applications for this purpose is social media, which has been defined as "a variety of new sources of online information that are created, initiated, circulated and used by consumers intent on educating each other about products, brands, services, personalities, and issues" [20].…”