Factors Influencing Reading News on the Mobile Devices in Qatar in Light of Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine and better understand the factors influencing reading news on the mobile devices in Qatar from the viewpoint of intention to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Design/methodology/approach: A large convenience sample of 699 respondents from Qatar was surveyed. Using SPSS, the researcher employed the Kaisers-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and the Bartless test of sphericity to establish the construct validity of the instrument. The four extracted and rotated dimensions were found to be reliable and valid. Main findings: Findings from multiple regression analysis have confirmed two out of six hypotheses. Two independent variables (1) nationality and (2) interest in using AR & VR are significant in predicting the use of mobile devices to follow regional and international news in Qatar from the viewpoint of intention to adopt augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Implications: Implications of this study are two folds. Hypotheses that are partially supported, suggest an urgent need for further research to uncover the various modes afforded by the smart digital society in Qatar. More proactive approach from decision and policy makers in Qatar’s newspaper printing industry is needed to benefit from the digitalization of international news. Novelty: This article empirically correlates two fields of business research: the digital copy of the real world and reading international news. This piece of research has been published in May 2020 at the scopus indexed International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET).