Continued Use of Information Technology: A Synthesis and Future Directions

Abstract

Numerous studies have been conducted in the technology adoption domain. However, this is merely an initial step toward eventual success of an information technology (IT) system. Recent endeavour has increasingly shifted to continued IT use, or continuance, which is deemed essential to the survival of an IT system. In this article, a comprehensive review of studies on IT continuance has been conducted. Four major models have been identified: continuance as an extension of adoption, expectancy-disconfirmation theory, temporal updating mechanisms, and habit. It is now generally agreed that the first model is not readily applicable to IT continuance because most determinants of IT adoption are not robust predictors of continued use except for perceived usefulness. Other models present much higher explanatory power. Nonetheless, they have not tapped the emotional aspect over the course of IT use. Further investigation in this area is needed.