Force of Habit and Information Systems Usage: Theory and Initial Validation

Over the last two decades, information systems (IS) research has primarily focused on people\u27s conscious (intentional) behavior when trying to explain and predict IS usage. Consequently, almost no research has investigated the potential importance of subconscious (automatic) behaviors, also known as habits. This study represents a first step toward validating the idea that one can add explanatory power to a behavioral model such as Ajzen\u27s [1985] theory of planned behavior (TPB) by including the habit construct. We conducted a two-stage questionnaire-based survey involving two different groups of students who had access to a sophisticated internet-based communication tool (IBCT). These data were used to test a behavioral model integrating theoretical constructs of TPB and a relevant subset of Triandis\u27 [1980] behavioral framework. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both conscious (intentions) and subconscious (habits) factors in explaining usage behavior. Furthermore, we share our observations about antecedents of IBCT usage in the educational context. Implications for practice and research are discussed

Habit in the Context of IS Continuance: Theory Extension and Scale Development

Defining “IS habit” as the extent to which using a particular IS has become automatic in response to certain situations, we developed a reliable and validated scale to measure the construct. The final scale was tested in the context of a theoretical model developed based on recent work on IS continuance. The central idea of this model is to consider habit as a moderator of the relationship between intention and continuous IS usage. The paper describes the scale development process and presents the resulting 6-item measurement instrument. Furthermore, it reports on the results of using the scale to test the “moderator-hypothesis”

INTENTION DOES NOT ALWAYS MATTER: THE CONTINGENT ROLE OF HABIT ON IT USAGE BEHAVIOR

The ability to predict IT usage behavior has been an important area of inquiry in IS research for many years. Yet, to date, the predominant approach has been on the conscious cognitive aspect of this behavior. Consequently, the primary focus has been on the formation of intentions and its impact on the subsequent behavior of IT usage almost to the exclusion of other factors. The purpose of this study is to highlight an alternative viewpoint that suggests the equally important role of the automatic response known as habit. Applying theories of human behavior, we developed a model that shows the impact of both intentions and habit on IT usage. More importantly, we demonstrate that the influence of intention on usage will vary depending on the level of one’s habit. This finding implies that there can be situations where intention will, in fact, have no impact on behavior and that further research is needed to understand these conditions and the factors that lead to such situations. 1

Intention Does Not Always Matter: The Contingent Role of Habit on IT Usage Behavior

The ability to predict IT usage behavior has been an important area of inquiry in IS research for many years. Yet, to date, the predominant approach has been on the conscious cognitive aspect of this behavior. Consequently, the primary focus has been on the formation of intentions and its impact on the subsequent behavior of IT usage almost to the exclusion of other factors. The purpose of this study is to highlight an alternative viewpoint that suggests the equally important role of the automatic response known as habit. Applying theories of human behavior, we developed a model that shows the impact of both intentions and habit on IT usage. More importantly, we demonstrate that the influence of intention on usage will vary depending on the level of one’s habit. This finding implies that there can be situations where intention will, in fact, have no impact on behavior and that further research is needed to understand these conditions and the factors that lead to such situations

How Habit Limits the Predictive Power of Intention: The Case of Information Systems Continuance

Past research in the area of information systems acceptance has primarily focused on initial adoption under the implicit assumption that IS usage is mainly determined by intention. While plausible in the case of initial IS adoption, this assumption may not be as readily applicable to continued IS usage behavior since it ignores that frequently performed behaviors tend to become habitual and thus automatic over time. This paper is a step forward in defining and incorporating the “habit” construct into IS research. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to explore the role of habit and its antecedents in the context of continued IS usage. Building on previous work in other disciplines, we define habit in the context of IS usage as the extent to which people tend to perform behaviors (use IS) automatically because of learning. Using recent work on the continued usage of IS (IS continuance), we have developed a model suggesting that continued IS usage is not only a consequence of intention, but also of habit. In particular, in our research model, we propose IS habit to moderate the influence of intention such that its importance in determining behavior decreases as the behavior in question takes on a more habitual nature. Integrating past research on habit and IS continuance further, we suggest how antecedents of behavior/behavioral intention as identified by IS continuance research relate to drivers of habitualization. We empirically tested the model in the context of voluntary continued WWW usage. Our results support the argument that habit acts as a moderating variable of the relationship between intentions and IS continuance behavior, which may put a boundary condition on the explanatory power of intentions in the context of continued IS usage. The data also support that satisfaction, frequency of past behavior, and comprehensiveness of usage are key to habit formation and thus relevant in the context of IS continuance behavior. Implications of these findings are discussed and managerial guidelines presented