Exploring Cross-Cultural Value Structures with Smartphones

Smartphone users in the U.S. and Korea were cross-surveyed to determine country-specific differences in product value perceptions. Usability factors and aesthetic values were combined using the theory of reasoned action (TRA). The strengths of the model’s relationships are discussed. The models were analyzed cross-nationally to explore differences in the compositions of technology adoption motives in the two countries. Although the results illustrate the importance of both usability and aesthetic values, the two countries show different value preferences as well as intention and adoption patterns. The results of this study suggest practical implications for employing cross-cultural strategies in the global marketing of smartphones as well as theoretical implications for cross-country studies, which are recommended accordingly. ReseaRch Note DOI: 10.4018/jgim.2012040104 68 Journal of Global Information Management, 20(2), 67-93, April-June 2012 Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. to investigate user attitudes toward smartphone services in a two-country context in order to investigate value differences that may apply to smartphone services. Given the absence of universal measurements of user experience, motivations, and values that can be applied to different countries, a cross-cultural framework is useful to understand why certain smartphone services are popular in some countries and not in others. Shin (2009) and Kim, Lee, and Lee (2004) have urged researchers to conduct crosscountry studies in mobile services to determine how cross-country factors influence the diffusion of mobile communications. The innovative and global nature of smartphones has fostered many visions of comparative understanding among countries, although the research in this area is in its infancy (Walsh, Nurkka, & Walsh, 2010). As smartphone services become increasingly global, a cross-national comparison of their perceived value would aid the industry in developing global markets. Customers universally expect technologies to offer experiences that fulfill both their hedonic and pragmatic needs within their cultural contexts (Baron & Segerstad, 2010). Cross-cultural design ensures that technologies are easy to use and that they provide good user experiences across cultural boundaries. Such comparative study may also be useful in academia because it explores the theoretical implications of studying crosscultural technology adoption and usage. We chose to compare the U.S. and South Korea for two reasons: First, both countries have well developed smartphone markets. The two countries are among those with the highest mobile diffusions in the world and are global leaders in the smartphone market, which is dominated by the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy in the U.S. and South Korea, respectively. Second, the countries belong to distinct Western and Asian civilizations, which have been historically shaped by different philosophies and values. For example, Korean culture has long been influenced by Confucianism, while individualism has largely shaped North American culture. Thus there are substantial cultural differences that will affect the relationships of the model employed herein. This study addresses the following research questions (RQs): RQ1: Which factors or values most significantly affect attitudes toward smartphone services Figure 1. The proposed research model 25 more pages are available in the full version of this document, which may be purchased using the "Add to Cart" button on the product's webpage: www.igi-global.com/article/exploring-cross-cultural-valuestructures/65099?camid=4v1 This title is available in InfoSci-Journals, InfoSci-Journal Disciplines Computer Science, Security, and Information Technology. Recommend this product to your librarian: www.igi-global.com/e-resources/libraryrecommendation/?id=2