Comparing Utilitarian and Hedonic Usefulness to User Intention in Multipurpose Information Systems

Abstract

This research studies the differences between productivity-oriented (or utilitarian) and entertainment-oriented (or hedonic) usefulness for a multipurpose information system in user acceptance models, as information systems can be high or low in both hedonic and utilitarian attributes. Accordingly, perceived usefulness (PU) is divided into perceived utilitarian usefulness (PUU) and perceived hedonic usefulness (PHU) to provide a better understanding of users' intention for accepting IT. To test the proposed model more effectively, this research targets instant messaging (IM), which is an extremely popular and increasingly important communication system, both utilitarian and hedonic in nature. This research compares the difference across two groups: students for hedonic purpose and employees for utilitarian purpose. We conclude that the proposed model, which distinguishes between utilitarian and hedonic usefulness, is more effective than previous models in which the usefulness was not distinguished. Both PUU and PHU have an effect on intention to use. Employees consider PUU more important in their intention to use IM, while students are more influenced by PHU.