From intention to action: explaining disaster preparedness app adoption through a socio-digital TPB framework in Malaysia

The increasing use of digital technologies in the context of disaster risks reduction has opened possibilities to better prepare the community using mobile applications. Nevertheless, the ubiquity of disaster preparedness applications is not necessarily associated with the adoption of such applications and ultimately preparedness behaviour. This paper analyses the drivers of the adoption of disaster preparedness mobile application through a broadened socio-digital Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). In Malaysia (Penang), a cross-sectional survey was carried out with the residents of two hazard-prone communities (n = 390). Findings on the data were analysed with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted (WLSMV) estimator. The findings also suggest that the attitude to disaster mobile applications is the best predictor of Behavioural Intention to use respective technologies. Subjective norms and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) on the other hand have no significant implications on intention. The intention is a significant predictor of real disaster preparedness behaviours which are also found to have the presence of an intention-behaviour gap. The findings demonstrated the relevance of favorable technology assessment in the process of digital disaster preparedness engagement.