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Stuck in the Adoption Funnel: The Effect of Interruptions in the Adoption Process on Usage

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  • Anja Lambrecht

    (London Business School, London NW1 4SA, United Kingdom)

  • Katja Seim

    (The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104)

  • Catherine Tucker

    (MIT Sloan School of Management, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142)

Abstract

Many firms have introduced Internet-based customer self-service applications such as online payments or brokerage services. Despite high initial sign-up rates, not all customers actually shift their dealings online. We investigate whether the multistage nature of the adoption process (an "adoption funnel") for such technologies can explain this low take-up. We use exogenous variation in events that possibly interrupt adoption, in the form of vacations and public holidays in different German states, to identify the effect on regular usage of being interrupted earlier in the adoption process. We find that interruptions in the early stages of the adoption process reduce a customer's probability of using the technology regularly. Our results suggest significant cost-saving opportunities from eliminating interruptions in the adoption funnel.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja Lambrecht & Katja Seim & Catherine Tucker, 2011. "Stuck in the Adoption Funnel: The Effect of Interruptions in the Adoption Process on Usage," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 30(2), pages 355-367, 03-04.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormksc:v:30:y:2011:i:2:p:355-367
    DOI: 10.1287/mksc.1100.0613
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