Which platform should I choose? Factors influencing consumers’ channel transfer intention from web-based to mobile library service

Abstract

Purpose – With more and more individuals relying on mobile devices to obtain information, many libraries launch mobile application to satisfy mobile users’ information need. The purpose of this paper is to figure out factors influencing consumers’ channel transfer intention of library service from web-based platform to mobile app. Design/methodology/approach – A structural equation model is proposed based on categorization theory. In addition, situational contexts are taken into account to make research model more suitable for the real condition. Data collected from 319 samples are used for hypotheses examining. Findings – The relationships between source and target (perceived differentiation including function differentiation and resource differentiation) positively affect perceived situation efficiency, which in turn shapes intention to use mobile library application. Perceived mobile library quality positively influences perceived differentiation, perceived situation efficiency and mobile library adoption intention. In summary, perceived situation efficiency is the main factor. Practical implications – Both quality and situational factors should be taken seriously, and mobile device producers and mobile app developers should cooperate on improving the quality of mobile app. Meanwhile, it is critical to examine the relationship between web based and mobile library service in the initial or early stage of mobile library development. Originality/value – By focussing on the impacts of the relationship between web and mobile library service and evaluation of mobile library on the adoption intention, this paper not only provides a theoretical understanding of mobile library adoption behavior but also offers practical insights to library managers and app developers for promoting such a process.

Mediating effects on the relationship between perceived service quality and public library app loyalty during the COVID-19 era

“…Using the app to search for information is entertaining. Attractiveness (AT) Zhang et al (2016) AT1. The screen layout is aesthetically pleasing to me.…”

“…Tsui (2015) further improved the LibQUAL + by replacing “Affect of Service,” “Information Control,” and “Library as Place” of LibQUAL+ with “Service and Functions,” “Usage and Operation,” and “Appearance and Design,” respectively. On the other hand, Zhang et al (2016) assessed the quality of m-library apps in two aspects: hardware quality based on input function, resolution, and screen size of the user's mobile device; and software quality focused on measuring the format, layout, and presentation of the content of the m-library app. Fig.…”

“…Fig. 3 summarizes the dimensions and sub-dimensions developed by Tsui (2015) and Zhang et al (2016) .

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Factors impacting library-related uses of mobile phones by students in public universities in Malawi

“…Literature indicates that mobile phones (feature phones and smartphones) among university students the world over are ubiquitous (Brookes 2016, Zhang et al 2016, Dahlstrom, Walker & Dziuban 2013, Dahlstrom and Bichsel 2014, Kumar 2014. For instance, a study conducted by Becker, Bonadie-Joseph and Jonathan (2013) Dahlstrom, Walker &Dziuban 2013, Dahlstrom andBichsel 2014) show that smartphone ownership has grown exponentially over the past four years; shooting up from 76% in 2013 to 86% in 2014 before jumping further to 92% in 2015.…”

Assessing mobile application components in providing library services

“…However, since 2007, with the advent of smartphone technology, research has increasingly focused on identifying relevant features and using mobile phones in various ways, including library services (Coombs, 2008; Michael and Darianian, 2008; Shuiqing, 2008; Zhang and Jia, 2008). One of these topics is the use of mobile Web for libraries: the Library Mobile Initiatives and Mobile Experience for Libraries Initiative (Canuel and Crichton, 2015; Kroski, 2008; Zhang et al , 2016). Other issues, such as mobile phone popularity and its capabilities, the provision of library catalogs using the mobile Web and the requirements that librarians should make for the use of mobile phones, are also of interest to researchers (Bomhold, 2014; Bridges et al , 2010; Kosturski and Skornia, 2011; Pu et al , 2015; Thomas, 2011).…”