Does information content influence perceived informativeness? An experiment in the hypermedia

Abstract

This paper reviews research in both information content and perceived informativeness in the literature, and examines the causal effect of two information content factors on perceived informativeness. A 2×2 factorial design was adopted in an experiment involving a hypothetical online retailer. Results from 120 surveys collected show strong support of the two hypotheses in the expected direction, i.e., both price and quality information had a significantly positive effect on perceived informativeness. Data also indicate that perceived informativeness is a significant predictor of visitor attitude toward the site and visitor intention to revisit. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.