Proposing a TAM-SDT-Based Model to Examine the User Acceptance of Massively Multiplayer Online Games

Abstract

This study is focused on the massively multiplayer online games’ acceptance. In general, while specialized literature reveals that the online gaming industry has grown strongly in recent years, little evidence is identified on its user acceptance. In this manner, the present study is an attempt to fill this gap. Concretely, two aims are defined: (1) proposing an acceptance model to predict the continuance usage of massively multiplayer online games, and (2) knowing how this continuance usage encourages social well-being. The model proposed employing the structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM) methodology. This PLS-SEM model has been defined using a combination of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the self-determination theory (SDT), comprising eight constructs: (1) autonomy and competence, (2) relatedness, (3) achievement and challenge, (4) flow experience, (5) perceived enjoyment, (6) social well-being, (7) perceived ease of use, and (8) continuance intention. The findings reveal that continuance intention impacts on social well-being. Moreover, the pivotal role of flow experience for continuance intention has been demonstrated. Additionally, continuance intention has been impacted by the perceived enjoyment, showing that it is a key construct for the acceptance of massively multiplayer online games. Thus, two contributions are highlighted. First, these results provide the gaming industry and software developer companies with considerations on gamers’ motivations in the online game design, in order to stimulate and incentivize its use. Second, the present study can be useful for academicians and practitioners to understand the online gamers’ emotions and well-being, showing some light over their psychology and mental health. Finally, limitations and future directions are exposed.

Determinants of Telehealth Continuance Intention: A Multi-Perspective Framework

“…Wang’s study [ 59 ] on social software pointed out that users’ perceived autonomy support influences their posting behavior through autonomy motivation. Many recent studies also indicate that the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness have significant positive effects on the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of IT [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ].…”

Toward a Unified Theory of Customer Continuance Model for Financial Technology Chatbots

“…The TAM believes that if ease of use and usefulness (cognition dimension) can arouse individual attitudes about technology, then it can affect use intention [ 10 ]. Previous studies have confirmed this hypothesis to indicate the importance of the emotional factor in determining customer attitudes [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], such as hedonic feelings of satisfaction and enjoyment. This study retrieved relevant emotional literature and found that Russell’s [ 14 ] emotional model can represent almost all emotional responses, such as satisfaction, enjoyment, happiness, and excitement.…”

“…The present study proposes that attitudes toward fintech chatbots should be linked to cognition factors (usefulness and ease of use) and emotion (pleasure and arousal) because the attitudes in an information technology setting should include not only cognition-based factors but also emotion-based factors. Indeed, previous studies have confirmed this hypothesis, and attitudes toward information technology have been examined as an intermediary between emotion–intention links [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In addition, attitudes toward information technology have also been examined as a mediator between cognition–intention links in the information technology adoption model [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

What Drives Individuals to Adopt Fintech: Extended TAM Model with Gender as Moderating Variable

“…Since Davis et al (1989) developed the TAM theory, numerous studies have examined the linkage between (PU) and technology adoption in various sectors, such as health management tools (Liu et al, 2022), E-learning (Liao et al, 2022), online game (Linares et al, 2021), and financial technology or mobile payment (Ahmad et al, 2021;Nathan et al, 2022;Setiawan et al, 2021). PU is defined in this paper as the significance of new technology in improving user performance.…”