Impact of workplace frustration on online gamer loyalty

Abstract

PurposeOnline games are prevalent internet applications and are known for satisfying the various needs of users. Nonetheless, little is known about whether online games could be a resort for users encountering workplace frustration. Explaining how workplace frustration and users' need satisfaction affect loyalty of online gamers, this study aims to formulate hypotheses and develop a framework based on the self-determination theory (SDT).Design/methodology/approachThe authors use an online survey to collect 848 responses and use structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe authors find that workplace frustration, autonomy need satisfaction and competence need satisfaction are positively related to online gamer loyalty. Moreover, workplace frustration enhances the link between competence need satisfaction and online gamer loyalty.Originality/valueThe authors are the first to use SDT to identify the three antecedents and the moderator of online gamer loyalty. Our findings offer a key message that game providers could design effective means to retain their gamers by understanding their gamers' workplace frustration and informing them that playing games could alleviate the associated negative feelings.

For whom does flow not enhance online gamer loyalty?

“…The importance of online gamer loyalty has attracted past studies to examine its antecedents, including ease of use, usefulness (Köse et al , 2019), satisfaction (Liu et al , 2016), enjoyment (Chang and Chen, 2018; Hamari et al , 2020; Köse et al , 2019), gaming task completion (Alha et al , 2019), autonomy and competence need satisfaction (Liao et al , 2021a), avatar friendliness (Li et al , 2018), gifting (Goode et al , 2014) and flow (Chang and Chen, 2018; Choi and Kim, 2004; Liao and Teng, 2017). All these are influential, while flow is among the most frequently examined justifying our inclusion of flow when examining sources of online gamer loyalty.…”

“…Sources of online gamer loyalty include enjoyment (Chang and Chen, 2018; Hamari et al , 2020), satisfaction (Liu et al , 2016), autonomy and competence need satisfaction (Liao et al , 2021a), avatar friendliness (Li et al , 2018), gifting (Goode et al , 2014) and flow, i.e. an experience of full concentration and unawareness of time and surroundings (Wu et al , 2020).…”