Author post-print (accepted) deposited by Coventry University's Repository Alsswey, A & Al-Samarraie, H 2020, 'Elderly users' acceptance of mHealth user interface (UI) design-based culture: the moderator role of age',

Mobile health (m-health) applications are a way to provide solutions to the non-availability of physical health services in the Arab world. However, end users of m-health around the world have their cultural and personal differences that distinguish them from others. Studies suggest that culture is an essential component of the success of any product or technology usage. In view of this, the study investigated acceptance towards mobile health application User Interface (UI) designed for Arab elderly users based on their culture. The TAM model formed the theoretical basis upon which a quantitative design was adopted, with a questionnaire as data collection instrument from 134 participants. The findings showed that perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Attitude Towards Use (ATU) had a significant positive influence on Behavioural Intention (BI) to use mobile health application User Interface. Overall, the results indicated that Arab elderly users found the mobile health application UI as acceptable due to its cultural-based design. To improve designs of mobile applications UI targeting elderly users, it is vital to gain insight into cultural aspects that influence the usability of mHealth application UI as well as insights into their personal characteristics and experiences.

A user interface (UI) design that meets the preferences, differences, and needs of the group of users can potentially increase the usability of a system. Users, in general, feel more familiar with the context that reflects their cultural values and practices. The Arabic culture plays a significant role in how Arab users interact and communicate with technologies. The customs, artifacts, and traditions of the Arab world are different in nature from the Western cultures. Thus, it is essential to consider these differences when designing the UI prototype. This study investigated the role of certain cultural preferences in the design of UI for Arab users. A think-aloud approach and Hofstede's cultural dimensions were used on 23 Arab users to generate the necessary design guidelines for the UI of mobile health application. Then, 78 participants were recruited to evaluate the proposed UI design. The usability results showed high satisfaction among Arab users about the role of culture in the design of the UI. Findings from this study can be used by designers and developers to aid their design of UI for group-specific cultural preferences and values.

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Purpose Designers of mobile applications have long understood the importance of users’ preferences in making the user experience easier, convenient and therefore valuable. The cultural aspects of groups of users are among the key features of users’ design preferences, because each group’s preferences depend on various features that are culturally compatible. The process of integrating culture into the design of a system has always been an important ingredient for effective and interactive human computer interface. This study aims to investigate the design of a mobile health (mHealth) application user interface (UI) based on Arabic culture. It was argued that integrating certain cultural values of specific groups of users into the design of UI would increase their acceptance of the technology. Design/methodology/approach A total of 135 users responded to an online survey about their acceptance of a culturally designed mHealth. Findings The findings showed that culturally based language, colours, layout and images had a significant relationship with users’ behavioural intention to use the culturally based mHealth UI. Research limitations/implications First, the sample and the data collected of this study were restricted to Arab users and Arab culture; therefore, the results cannot be generalized to other cultures and users. Second, the adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was used in this study instead of the new version, which may expose new perceptions. Third, the cultural aspects of UI design in this study were limited to the images, colours, language and layout. Practical implications It encourages UI designers to implement the relevant cultural aspects while developing mobile applications. Originality/value Embedding Arab cultural aspects in designing UI for mobile applications to satisfy Arab users and enhance their acceptance toward using mobile applications, which will reflect positively on their lives.