Do hedonic and utilitarian apps differ in consumer appeal?

Abstract

This research in progress suggests that hedonic and utilitarian mobile applications (apps) differ in consumer appeal. We operationalize consumer appeal through addiction, frustration and consumer value perception. The interplay of frustration in the presence of a set of addicted customers is interesting, as many apps may have an addicted consumer baser-specifically for games, communications of or entertainment apps. Consumer frustration may act as a negative complementing factor to consumer addiction, and this substitution effect is argued to be higher for hedonic products than utilitarian products. Hypotheses are drawn and a methodology is suggested. Possible implications and contributions are discussed.