Qingfei Min

Mobile commerce user acceptance study in China: A revised UTAUT model

User acceptance is one of the key fundamentals for development and success of mobile commerce (m-commerce). Based on the revised unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, we described a theoretical framework that incorporates the unique characteristics of m-commerce to enhance our understanding of m-commerce acceptance and usage in China. The revised UTAUT includes the characteristics of m-commerce, inclusion and consideration of information system user satisfaction theory, and Chinese culture and context.

An Empirical Study on Mobile Banking Adoption: The Role of Trust

Mobile banking is an emerging service that not only facilitates our life, but also creates great opportunities for mobile operators, device manufactures, and especially for banks. To better understand individual’s intention to adopt mobile banking, this paper integrates trust into Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and examined the role of trust based on a multi-dimensional perspective. Results from a survey of 438 respondents indicated that: 1) trust primarily works as an indirect antecedent of user’s intention to adopt mobile banking through its impact on perceived usefulness (PU), which is the primary direct indicator of intention; 2) the shape of individual’s general trust is mainly affected by three dimensions (trust in technologies, trust in vendors and structural assurance); 3) structural assurance is the most important facets of individual’s general trust. Finally, implications for improving the adoption of mobile banking are discussed.

A study of Mobile Instant Messaging adoption: within-culture variation

This paper examines how national culture values influence technology adoption at individual level, within-culture, in case of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) adoption. Four cultural dimensions were examined: uncertainty avoidance, collectivism, high/low context and time perception. On the basis of 837 samples, data analysis shows that uncertainty avoidance and collectivism moderate the relationship between individuals subjective norm and behavioural intention; uncertainty avoidance positively affects individuals innovativeness; context and time perception affect Perceived Usefulness (PU) and have no effect on the relationship between Perceived Enjoyment (PE) and intention. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Information Systems Research in China: An Empirical Study

The study aims to develop an overview of information systems (IS) research in China in recent years and to identify the similarities and the differences between North American and Chinese IS research from four perspectives: reference discipline, research topics, research methods, and unit/level of analysis. A total of 604 research papers published in 18 leading Chinese academic journals from 1999 to 2003 were identified and reviewed. A categorization approach developed in previous studies was adopted to classify the IS research. The results show: 1) IS itself represented the major reference discipline used as the theoretical basis for the studies, and IS research in China does not demonstrate reliance on a single theory; 2) IS researchers in China have been clearly focused on organizational and system/software issues; 3) Non-Empirical Study was dominant in the field of IS research in China; 4) the majority of studies were conducted at the organization and system level. Group/team and individual level issues were not studied extensively.

Communication Effectiveness in Global Virtual Teams: A Case Study of Software Outsourcing Industry in China

As global virtual team (GVT) is staffed by members from different countries working at different sites, its success relies heavily on effective communication. The purpose of this study is to explore factors affecting GVT communication effectiveness and how they work. After a review of prior studies, two aspects were identified, namely critical success factors (CSFs) and team characteristics, each represented by a series of technological, managerial, or structural elements of the team. A case study observing 6 GVTs in 3 international IT organizations in Dalian Software Park (Dalian, China) was conducted to examine the research model. Findings indicated that: 1) although GVT communication effectiveness is primarily affected by task-oriented communication, social communication cannot be ignored; 2) task-oriented communication and social communication are affected not only by the identified CSFs and team characteristics but also by task characteristics. Measures to improve GVT communication are proposed.

The Effects of Individual-Level Culture on Mobile Commerce Adoption: An Empirical Study

As mobile commerce spreads across the globe, the effect of culture on user’ adoption has become an important issue. To date, however, little research has been conducted on the role of cultural factors play in the adoption of m-commerce services. This study defines culture on individual level and attains three roles (network members, technology users and consumers) out of m-commerce users with different adoption decisions. Therefore, a m-commerce adoption model based on individual-level cultural characteristics has been proposed. The four cultural dimensions representing individual-level culture (uncertainty avoidance, individualism/collectivism, context and time perception) are integrated into adoption model as moderators or independent variables in this study. A survey instrument is also developed for collecting data and empirically testing the proposed model.

A meta-analysis of Mobile Commerce Research in China (2002 2006)

China has the largest number of mobile phone users in the world, a fascinating phenomenon that has in recent years generated an increasing interest in Mobile Commerce Research (MCR) among Chinese scholars, who providentially have a variety of avenues available to them in conducting MCR due to its beginning stage. The present study, which was undertaken in early 2007, by reviewing and analysing a total of 162 MCR papers published in Mainland China during the period of 2002 and 2006, investigated the current status of Chinas MCR and identified its future directions. By the use of meta-analysis method, we categorised the 162 MCR papers in terms of their research focuses, topics, methods and contributions. Based on our analysis and comparisons of the data with those collected in similar mobile commerce studies carried out in the West, we have formulated our projections and recommendations for future MCR directions in Mainland China.

Study on Trust in Mobile Commerce Adoption - A Conceptual Model

The mobile communication and wireless technology continues to grow at a substantial rate in China as well as in world, with estimates for mobile phone users in china reaching 539.37 million by the end of November 2007 (Ministry of Information Industry, PRC, 2007). Despite this growth, mobile-commerce (m-commerce) still experiences challenges on many fronts. Several studies have identified trust as a major concern for consumers to adopt m-commerce. But, gaining customer trust in m- commerce is a particularly daunting task because of its unique features. Based on previous studies, this paper proposed a conceptual model in order to examine trust and its antecedents in m-commerce. Mobile Vender Trust, Mobile Technology Trust and other traditional trust factors were seen as antecedents for m-commerce trust, which will in turn affect intention of adoption. A survey instrument was also developed for collecting data and empirically testing the proposed model.

An empirical study on trust in mobile commerce adoption

Mobile communication and wireless technology continues to grow at a substantial rate in China as well as in world. Despite this growth, mobile-commerce (m-commerce) still experiences challenges on many fronts. Several studies have identified trust as a major concern for consumers to adopt m-commerce. But, gaining customer trust in m-commerce is a particularly daunting task because of its unique features. Based on previous studies, this paper proposed a model in order to examine trust and its antecedents in m-commerce. Mobile vender trust, mobile technology trust and other traditional trust factors were seen as antecedents for m-commerce trust, which will in turn affect intention of adoption. A survey instrument was also developed for collecting data and empirically testing the proposed model.

Inter-organizational coordination, IT support, and environment

Manufacturing organizations must know how to deal with uncertainty, manage environmental impact, effectively coordinate with suppliers, and use information technology (IT) to support coordination. Applying cybernetics and information processing theories, this study explores the relationship between organizational environment, inter-organizational coordination, IT support, and the effectiveness of interorganizational coordination. Using the case study method, data was collected from six manufacturing firms in China. The results show that inter-organizational system adoption is affected by organizational environment and is related to the management of inter-organizational coordination. Coordination and IT application affect the performance of inter-organizational coordination.