IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i21p14036-d955927.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of Mobile Identity on Smartphone Symbolic Use: An Attachment Theory Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Jie Lou

    (Department of International Business, School of Foreign Languages and Business, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Av. Liuxian, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Nianlong Han

    (School of Geography and Tourism, Huizhou University, Huizhou 516007, China)

  • Dong Wang

    (Department of International Business, School of Foreign Languages and Business, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Av. Liuxian, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Xi Pei

    (Department of International Business, School of Foreign Languages and Business, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Av. Liuxian, Shenzhen 518055, China)

Abstract

Smartphones are not only multifunctional tools but also users’ personal extensions and identity symbols, as they are constantly with users and highly visible to the public while in use. Due to this public property as well as the close bond between smartphones and users, they are frequently used for personal identity expression besides functional purposes. The current study conceptualizes such behavior as symbolic use and aims to understand it. Anchoring on the attachment theory, mobile identity is postulated as an important antecedent of symbolic use. Mobile identity in turn is formed by mobile symbolism and mobile design esthetics. The research model was tested by a hybrid of both online and offline survey with 271 valid responses. SEM analysis was used to test the research model and SPSS was used for descriptive statistics. The results confirmed the role of mobile identity in affecting smartphone symbolic use. Additionally, individual materialism was confirmed as a moderator using hierarchical analysis. By defining and explaining smartphone symbolic use, this study clarifies the unique characteristics of the smartphone usage context as compared to non-portable technologies, thereby enriching the mobile usage literature and the application of attachment theory. It also defines the boundary condition of attachment formation by studying the contingent role of individual characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie Lou & Nianlong Han & Dong Wang & Xi Pei, 2022. "Effects of Mobile Identity on Smartphone Symbolic Use: An Attachment Theory Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14036-:d:955927
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14036/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14036/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kalle Lyytinen & Youngjin Yoo, 2002. "Research Commentary: The Next Wave of Nomadic Computing," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(4), pages 377-388, December.
    2. Anthony Vance & Christophe M. Elie-Dit-Cosaque & Detmar W. Straub, 2008. "Examining Trust in Information Technology Artifacts: The Effects of System Quality and Culture," Post-Print halshs-00641137, HAL.
    3. Gary C. Moore & Izak Benbasat, 1991. "Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 192-222, September.
    4. Richins, Marsha L, 1994. "Special Possessions and the Expression of Material Values," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 21(3), pages 522-533, December.
    5. Huh, Young Eun & Kim, Sang-Hoon, 2008. "Do early adopters upgrade early? Role of post-adoption behavior in the purchase of next-generation products," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 40-46, January.
    6. Se-Joon Hong & Kar Yan Tam, 2006. "Understanding the Adoption of Multipurpose Information Appliances: The Case of Mobile Data Services," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 17(2), pages 162-179, June.
    7. Andrew Burton-Jones & Detmar W. Straub, 2006. "Reconceptualizing System Usage: An Approach and Empirical Test," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 228-246, September.
    8. Belk, Russell W, 1988. "Possessions and the Extended Self," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 15(2), pages 139-168, September.
    9. Richins, Marsha L & Dawson, Scott, 1992. "A Consumer Values Orientation for Materialism and Its Measurement: Scale Development and Validation," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 19(3), pages 303-316, December.
    10. Richins, Marsha L, 1994. "Valuing Things: The Public and Private Meanings of Possessions," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 21(3), pages 504-521, December.
    11. repec:dau:papers:123456789/2723 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Wynne W. Chin & Barbara L. Marcolin & Peter R. Newsted, 2003. "A Partial Least Squares Latent Variable Modeling Approach for Measuring Interaction Effects: Results from a Monte Carlo Simulation Study and an Electronic-Mail Emotion/Adoption Study," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 14(2), pages 189-217, June.
    13. Sirgy, M Joseph, 1982. "Self-Concept in Consumer Behavior: A Critical Review," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 9(3), pages 287-300, December.
    14. Solomon, Michael R, 1983. "The Role of Products as Social Stimuli: A Symbolic Interactionism Perspective," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 10(3), pages 319-329, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Guillard, Valérie, 2009. "La tendance de certains consommateurs à tout garder," Economics Thesis from University Paris Dauphine, Paris Dauphine University, number 123456789/5480 edited by Pinson, Christian.
    2. Shijin Yoo & Seh-Woong Chung & Jin Han, 2006. "A Durable Replacement Model for Symbolic versus Utilitarian Consumption: An Integrated Cultural and Socio-economic Perspective," Global Economic Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 193-206.
    3. Jerónimo, Rita & Ramos, Tânia & Ferreira, Mário B., 2018. "Trait transference from brands to individuals: The impact of brand-behavior congruency," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 54-65.
    4. Afzaal Ali & Guo Xiaoling & Adnan Ali & Mehkar Sherwani & Farhan Muhammad Muneeb, 2019. "Customer motivations for sustainable consumption: Investigating the drivers of purchase behavior for a green‐luxury car," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 833-846, July.
    5. M. Joseph Sirgy & Eda Gurel-Atay & Dave Webb & Muris Cicic & Melika Husic-Mehmedovic & Ahmet Ekici & Andreas Herrmann & Ibrahim Hegazy & Dong-Jin Lee & J. Johar, 2013. "Is Materialism All That Bad? Effects on Satisfaction with Material Life, Life Satisfaction, and Economic Motivation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 349-366, January.
    6. Gurzki, Hannes & Woisetschläger, David M., 2017. "Mapping the luxury research landscape: A bibliometric citation analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 147-166.
    7. Lara Stocchi & Naser Pourazad & Nina Michaelidou & Arry Tanusondjaja & Paul Harrigan, 2022. "Marketing research on Mobile apps: past, present and future," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 195-225, March.
    8. Millan, Elena & Reynolds, Jonathan, 2014. "Self-construals, symbolic and hedonic preferences, and actual purchase behavior," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 550-560.
    9. Ekinci, Yuksel & Sirakaya-Turk, Ercan & Preciado, Sandra, 2013. "Symbolic consumption of tourism destination brands," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(6), pages 711-718.
    10. Gil, Luciana A. & Kwon, Kyoung-Nan & Good, Linda K. & Johnson, Lester W., 2012. "Impact of self on attitudes toward luxury brands among teens," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(10), pages 1425-1433.
    11. Sandra Camus, 2004. "Proposition d'échelle de mesure de l'authenticité perçue d'un produit alimentaire," Post-Print hal-01706969, HAL.
    12. Chan, Wing Yin & To, Chester K.M. & Chu, Wai Ching, 2015. "Materialistic consumers who seek unique products: How does their need for status and their affective response facilitate the repurchase intention of luxury goods?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 1-10.
    13. Ajitha, S. & Sivakumar, V.J., 2017. "Understanding the effect of personal and social value on attitude and usage behavior of luxury cosmetic brands," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 103-113.
    14. Enes Emre Baþar & Bahar Türk & Sevtap Ünal, 2015. "An Investigation of Self-Image Congruence Differences between Materialistic and Non-Materialistic Consumers," Bogazici Journal, Review of Social, Economic and Administrative Studies, Bogazici University, Department of Economics, vol. 29(2), pages 41-57.
    15. Maystre, Nicolas & Olivier, Jacques & Thoenig, Mathias & Verdier, Thierry, 2014. "Product-based cultural change: Is the village global?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(2), pages 212-230.
    16. Sara Moussawi & Marios Koufaris & Raquel Benbunan-Fich, 2021. "How perceptions of intelligence and anthropomorphism affect adoption of personal intelligent agents," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 31(2), pages 343-364, June.
    17. Liselot Hudders & Mario Pandelaere, 2012. "The Silver Lining of Materialism: The Impact of Luxury Consumption on Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 411-437, June.
    18. Zsótér, Boglárka & Nagy, Péter, 2012. "Our Everyday Emotions and Finances – The role money-related attitudes and materialistic orienta-tion play in developing financial culture," Public Finance Quarterly, Corvinus University of Budapest, vol. 57(3), pages 286-297.
    19. Bassam Dalal & Ahmad Aljarah, 2021. "How Brand Symbolism, Perceived Service Quality, and CSR Skepticism Influence Consumers to Engage in Citizenship Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Barton, Belinda & Zlatevska, Natalina & Oppewal, Harmen, 2022. "Scarcity tactics in marketing: A meta-analysis of product scarcity effects on consumer purchase intentions," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 98(4), pages 741-758.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14036-:d:955927. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.