User adoption and loyalty of location based social network service in China

Abstract

This study made an investigation of user adoption and loyalty of location based social network service. Regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of user adoption measured by intention and frequency according to Innovation Diffusion Theory and the theory of Uses and Gratifications. Personal innovativeness was found to effectively predict future intention. Perceived popularity was found to effectively predict future frequency. Not all five dimensions of perceived innovativeness had equal predicting power to user adoption. Perceived needs proved to effectively predict user adoption measured by both future intention and future frequency. Path analysis showed a structure integrating predictors of e-loyalty together, including trust, satisfaction, flow experience and switching cost. Comparison of continuers, quitters and refusers of LBSNS showed that continuers had higher level of willingness to pursue fashion and behaved more innovative than others. Comparison of three typical LBSNS applications showed a more advantageous position of dedicated LBSNS than SNS and microblog in terms of loyalty. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.