Travel app shopping on smartphones: understanding the success factors influencing in-app travel purchase intentions

Abstract

Purpose With the diffusion of innovation theory (DOI) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the guiding theoretical perspectives, this research aims to identify the factors motivating user attitudes and in-app purchase intentions (IAPIs). The moderating impact of user inertia towards TPB constructs was also explored. Design/methodology/approach A total of 500 responses were received via an online survey fielded from July to October 2021. The data were then analysed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results indicated that attitudes towards travel app shopping were predominantly determined by perceived relative advantages, compatibility and complexity. Findings also suggested that IAPIs are positively influenced by attitudes, communicability and perceived behavioural control and are moderated by user inertia. Originality/value A holistic framework integrating theoretical foundations from two disciplines (information systems and psychology) was designed to explain factors motivating user intentions to purchase travel products and services from apps. This research found a missing link in previous studies by showing the indirect role of attitudes that bridges the DOI and TPB and the importance of inertia as a key boundary condition.

Systematic review of mobile travel apps and their smart features and challenges

“…An MTA with augmented reality (AR) features can potentially enhance travel experiences by providing location-based services (LBS) using GPS and information to tourists based on their current location (Chen and Tsai, 2017). The perceived relative advantages, which included location-based recommendations, simpler booking under one platform and customised services, positively influenced user attitudes towards app-based travel shopping on smartphones (Lim et al , 2022).…”

“…The theoretical basis for this study involved one-stop solution characteristics and emerging MTA smart features. The MTA that includes all aspects of a trip in a one-stop solution is a key to enhance the travel experience (Lim et al , 2022). Instead of making multiple bookings through various websites, the traveller should be able to complete all travel-related bookings on one platform (Gomes et al , 2022).…”

“…The MTA with common functionalities in an all-in-one platform ensures that travellers are always updated with the best travel destinations and travel times, online booking and reservations, weather updates, communication sources and numerous attractive plans (TravelDailyNews, 2021). The following emerging smart features were identified from recent travel app trends (Colorwhistle, 2022; Matyunina, 2020; Nimbalkar, 2020; Shaheen et al , 2016) and the preceding literature review on smart MTA:Geolocation tracking or LBS (Almobaideen et al , 2017; Chen and Tsai, 2017; Lim et al , 2022): Helps travellers track their locations and find nearby places via GPS technology. The feature also enables location navigation using the Google Maps software development kit (SDK).Travel itinerary generator (Garcia-Lopez et al , 2021; Gomes et al , 2022; Ho et al , 2021; Tarantino et al , 2019): Alleviates travel stress when managing travel itineraries, where travellers only need to enter the attractions they want to visit and the app will auto-generate a trip itinerary according to their schedule.Weather or climate forecasting (Ginardi et al , 2017; Tarantino et al , 2019): Aids travellers in checking weather predictions and forecasts in a real-time climate to avoid natural disasters at the destination.Gamification and incentives (Garcia et al , 2019; Guo et al , 2021; Noorbehbahani et al , 2019): Offer increased traveller engagement and retention on an app.…”

Consumer purchase intention of social enterprise products: mediating role of emotional value

“…Consumer preference and overall evaluation of a product will be greatly influenced by their attitude towards the product. Past research showed that attitude is significantly associated to PI (Abbasi et al, 2021;Qi and Ploeger, 2021;Dionysis et al, 2022;Lim et al, 2022;Sousa et al, 2022;Roh et al, 2022). Specific to the context of SE, the study by Lee et al (2021) on consumer PI on Malaysian SE products revealed a positive correlation between attitude and PI.…”

“…Many researchers have reported an association between PBC and PI (Abbasi et al, 2021;Qi and Ploeger, 2021;Dionysis et al, 2022;Lim et al, 2022;Sousa et al, 2022). Thus, it is proposed that H3.…”