Determinants of mobile apps adoption among young adults: theoretical extension and analysis

Mobile applications (apps) are now the most essential part of daily life. In this context, this study seeks to a) develop and validate a new hybrid model, (as a theoretical lens for future research) combining the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with the Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) model to analyze the behavioral intentions of young consumers to use mobile apps. b) analyze the factors determining the usage of mobile applications in an emerging country context. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were applied to test different constructs. The results show that relative advantage (RA), perceived enjoyment (PENJ) and compatibility (COMP) were antecedents of perceived usefulness (PU); trialability (TRI) and complexity (CPL) were antecedents of perceived ease of use (PEOU); and PEOU→PU were significant determinants of intention (IN) to use Mobile ‘Apps’. Implications and limitations of the research were discussed.