Determinants of Intention to Use Smartphones: Testing the Moderating Role of Need for Cognition

Abstract

While numerous studies have identified various cognitive and social factors affecting the adoption of new technologies and innovations, the role of individual difference has not yet received full research attention. In this study, we focused on the need for cognition (NFC; Cacioppo & Petty, 1982) and examined the implications of this personality variable relative to smartphone use. The results based on survey data (N =172) provided support for our hypotheses that NFC is an important motivational personality construct that moderates the linkages between instrumental beliefs, social influence factors, and behavioral intentions (BI). Specifically, perceived usefulness had a stronger effect on BI for high NFC people, whereas perceived ease of use and subjective norms had stronger effects on BI for low NFC people. The findings reveal possible important variations in technology adoption and the role of NFC in governing these alternative decision-making processes.