Guido Ongena

Should mobile Internet be an extension to the fixed web? Fixed-mobile reinforcement as mediator between context of use and future use

As the fixed and mobile Internet are converging, the question emerges whether consumers expect mobile Internet services to replicate services they know from the fixed Internet. Literature on reinforcement and displacement suggests that the use of new media depends on whether users are inclined to replace or reinforce their existing media use on a new device. This paper analyzes whether the importance that users attribute to using similar services on their mobile phone as on the fixed Internet can explain the intention to adopt mobile services. Specifically, we investigate if such fixed-mobile reinforcement could mediate the impact of personal innovativeness and several dimensions of context. We compare basic Internet services, entertainment services and transaction services. We find that especially the intention to adopt basic Internet services largely depends on the importance of using similar services in the mobile domain as on the fixed Internet. Several context-of-use predictors are partially or even fully mediated by fixed-mobile reinforcement. The results convey a positive message to operators that are betting on converged multimedia services that can be accessed from any device and from any fixed or mobile network.

Threats and opportunities for new audiovisual cultural heritage archive services: The Dutch case

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the business-to-consumer market for digital audiovisual archiving services. In doing so we identify drivers, threats, and opportunities for new services based on audiovisual archives in the cultural heritage domain. By analyzing the market we provide insights into the preconditions for provision of fruitful and viable services that can be build upon these archives. Design/methodology/approach: The research method takes the form of a case study, including literature search and interviews. For this research we adopt the STOF-framework for analyzing purposes. This framework consists of four components: a service component, a technological component, an organizational component, and a financial component (STOF). Findings: The authors argue an imbalance between the different factors of the STOF-model in the Netherlands. First, the service domain in the Dutch audiovisual archive domain shows little knowledge about (potential) users and their needs regarding the archive. The service domain is therefore probably the biggest question mark in this market. Second, the technical component presents few impedances and is therefore least of an issue. Third, the organization component in terms of value network presents issues revolving around the nature of the cultural institution. Non-profit cultural organizations like Sound & Vision in the Netherlands are not naturally inclined towards business modeling around development of services. Fourth and last, the financial domain shows severe bottlenecks for unlocking the content regarding intellectual property. The clearing of copyrights is one of the main tasks of Images for the Future, but engulfs much time in the primary process. In sum, the study shows promising and problematic issues that arise in the field of developing audiovisual archive services. Research limitations/implications: This is a one-case study, so no cross analysis with other cases was possible. Future work includes the investigation of user needs regarding audiovisual cultural heritage and possible services upon the archives. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies that look into the factors in a particular domain that influence the viability of services by using a business model framework. This paper, therefore, extends the utilization of this framework (STOF-model) as it used as a method for the evaluation of a market and provides market insights. Also, the application on the audiovisual cultural heritage domain is quite novel. For practitioners regarding the development of audiovisual archive services the paper presents fresh insights in the configuration of the different business components of the services.

Exploring determinants of early user acceptance for an audio-visual heritage archive service using the vignette method

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors, which explain the behavioural intention of the use of a new audio-visual cultural heritage archive service. An online survey in combination with a factorial survey is utilised to investigate the predictable strength of technological, individual and contextual constructs. The case used to validate this model is that of a not-yet-existing audio-visual archive service. Based on data collected from the survey (N = 1939), it is confirmed that payment and interpersonal influence the intention to adopt a new service thus partially supporting our three-dimensional model (i.e. technology, individual and context). The study contributes to the field of adoption research by studying a new service rather than an existing one. Subsequently, a vignette study is adopted. Moreover, the field of audio-visual archives is introduced in user research, which is considered novel. Pioneering on the unlocking of audio-visual archive this research seeks answers in the user needs and determinants for services upon these archives. Furthermore, the practical and scientific implications are discussed.

Should Mobile Internet Services be an Extension of the Fixed Internet? Context-of-Use, Fixed-Mobile Reinforcement and Personal Innovativeness

Consumers can increasingly use mobile phones to carry out similar tasks as they do on the fixed Internet. Literature on reinforcement and displacement states that the use of new media depends on whether users are inclined to replace or reinforce their existing media use on a new device. This paper analyzes whether the importance that users attribute to using similar services on their mobile phone as on the fixed Internet can explain the intention to adopt mobile services. Specifically, we investigate if such fixed-mobile reinforcement attitude could mediate the impact of personal innovativeness and context-of-use on intention to adopt mobile services. We compare basic Internet services, entertainment services and transaction services. We find that especially the intention to adopt basic Internet services largely depends on the importance of using similar services in the mobile domain as on the fixed Internet. Several context-of-use predictors are partially or even fully mediated by our novel construct. The results convey a positive message to operators that are betting on converged multimedia services that can be accessed from any device and from any fixed or mobile network.

Designing online audiovisual heritage services: an empirical study of two comparable online video services

The purpose of this study is to seek input for a new online audiovisual heritage service. In doing so, we assess comparable online video services to gain insights into the motivations and perceptual innovation characteristics of the video services. The research is based on data from a Dutch survey held among 1,939 online video service users. The results show that online video service held overlapping antecedents but does show differences in motivations and in perceived innovation characteristics. Hence, in general, one can state that in comparison, online video services comply with different needs and have differences in perceived innovation characteristics. This implies that one can design online video services for different needs. In addition to scientific implications, the outcomes also provide guidance for practitioners in implementing new online video services.