Flow in context: Development and validation of the flow experience instrument for social networking

Flow theory is a popular theoretical framework for understanding the underpinnings of the prolonged use of information systems. While there has been an increasing interest in examining flow experience during nearly four decades, the concept of flow still suffers from various limitations concerning its use as a measurable construct in empirical research. To address these limitations, the present study developed a 26-item instrument for examining flow experience in the domain of social networking services. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 804 Facebook users. The development and validation process consisted of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, second-order factor analysis, and examination of instrument validity and reliability. The developed instrument represents six components of flow experience: skill, machine interaction, social interaction, playfulness, concentration and enjoyment. The developed instrument possesses good model fit and high validity and reliability. This paper discusses the uses and limitations of the instrument in the examination of users' experiences of social networking services, and suggests avenues for future research on the topic with a special focus on research on user-centric innovations in online service. The study develops an instrument for research on flow experience in social networking.Flow experience has been imprecisely understood in the context of social networking.Flow is a combination of skill, interaction, playfulness, concentration and enjoyment.Previously used constructs of flow suffer from inappropriate psychometric properties.The study acknowledges that contingencies in social networks affect flow experience.

[1]  Paul van Schaik,et al.  An Experimental Analysis of Experiential and Cognitive Variables in Web Navigation , 2011, Hum. Comput. Interact..

[2]  James C. Anderson,et al.  STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING IN PRACTICE: A REVIEW AND RECOMMENDED TWO-STEP APPROACH , 1988 .

[3]  Paul van Schaik,et al.  Using on-line surveys to measure three key constructs of the quality of human-computer interaction in web sites: psychometric properties and implications , 2003, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[4]  Paul van Schaik,et al.  Design parameters of rating scales for web sites , 2007, TCHI.

[5]  Tao Hu,et al.  Why People Continue to Use Social Networking Services: Developing a Comprehensive Model , 2008, ICIS.

[6]  Jau-Wen Wang,et al.  An Empirical Study Of Flow Experiences In Social Network Sites , 2011, PACIS.

[7]  M. Bartlett,et al.  A note on the multiplying factors for various chi square approximations , 1954 .

[8]  Ming-Chi Lee,et al.  Explaining and predicting users' continuance intention toward e-learning: An extension of the expectation-confirmation model , 2010, Comput. Educ..

[9]  P. Bentler,et al.  Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis : Conventional criteria versus new alternatives , 1999 .

[10]  S. Gardner-Lubbe,et al.  The Partial Least Squares (PLS) Biplot , 2014 .

[11]  D. H. Zhu,et al.  Adoption of Social Networking Sites , 2012 .

[12]  M. Bartlett.  A Note on the Multiplying Factors for Various χ2 Approximations , 1954 .

[13]  Jari Salo,et al.  Teenagers in social virtual worlds: Continuous use and purchasing behavior in Habbo Hotel , 2011, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[14]  Anicia N. Peters,et al.  Cultural influences on Facebook practices: A comparative study of college students in Namibia and the United States , 2015, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[15]  Donna L. Hoffman,et al.  Flow Online: Lessons Learned and Future Prospects , 2009 .

[16]  Antonella Delle Fave,et al.  Instruments and Methods in Flow Research , 2011 .

[17]  Rense Corten,et al.  Who was first on Facebook? Determinants of early adoption among adolescents , 2016, New Media Soc..

[18]  Marshall Scott Poole,et al.  Antecedents of flow in online shopping: a test of alternative models , 2009, Inf. Syst. J..

[19]  A. Hausman,et al.  The effect of web interface features on consumer online purchase intentions , 2009 .

[20]  Tao Zhou,et al.  Exploring Chinese users' acceptance of instant messaging using the theory of planned behavior, the technology acceptance model, and the flow theory , 2009, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[21]  Ting-Jui Chou,et al.  The Role of Flow Experience in Cyber-Game Addiction , 2003, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[22]  Wynne W. Chin.  Issues and Opinion on Structural Equation Modeling by , 2009 .

[23]  Susan Wiedenbeck,et al.  The mediating effects of intrinsic motivation, ease of use and usefulness perceptions on performance in first-time and subsequent computer users , 2001, Interact. Comput..

[24]  Donna L. Hoffman,et al.  Measuring the Customer Experience in Online Environments: A Structural Modeling Approach , 2000 .

[25]  S. Jackson,et al.  Positive Performance States of Athletes: Toward a Conceptual Understanding of Peak Performance , 1992 .

[26]  Francisco Javier Lloréns Montes,et al.  Relationship between quality management practices and knowledge transfer , 2007 .

[27]  Kai Riemer,et al.  Internet Social Networking , 2011 .

[28]  Teuta Cata,et al.  Marketing Opportunities withSocial Networks , 2011 .

[29]  Chuan-Hoo Tan,et al.  The Role of Marketer- and User-Generated Content in Sustaining the Growth of a Social Media Brand Community , 2014, 2014 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[30]  K. Kiili.  Evaluations of an experiential gaming model , 2006 .

[31]  Barbara M. Byrne,et al.  Structural equation modeling with EQS : basic concepts, applications, and programming , 2000 .

[32]  Robert F. DeVellis,et al.  Scale Development: Theory and Applications. , 1992 .

[33]  Amandeep Dhir,et al.  Why do adolescents untag photos on Facebook? , 2016, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[34]  Paul van Schaik,et al.  A cognitive-experiential approach to modelling web navigation , 2012, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[35]  Chin-Lung Hsu,et al.  Why do people play on-line games? An extended TAM with social influences and flow experience , 2004, Inf. Manag..

[36]  Mohammad Reza Habibi,et al.  The roles of brand community and community engagement in building brand trust on social media , 2014, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[37]  C. Fornell,et al.  Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. , 1981 .

[38]  Ming-Hui Huang,et al.  Designing website attributes to induce experiential encounters , 2003, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[39]  Herbert W. Marsh,et al.  Psychological Correlates of Flow in Sport , 1998 .

[40]  M. Browne,et al.  Alternative Ways of Assessing Model Fit , 1992 .

[41]  Adrian Palmer,et al.  An experiential, social network‐based approach to direct marketing , 2009 .

[42]  Kristian Kiili,et al.  On Educational Game Design: Building Blocks of Flow Experience , 2005 .

[43]  M. Csíkszentmihályi.  Play and Intrinsic Rewards , 2014 .

[44]  Hsi-Peng Lu,et al.  Why people use social networking sites: An empirical study integrating network externalities and motivation theory , 2011, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[45]  M. Bassi,et al.  Psychological Selection and Optimal Experience Across Cultures: Social Empowerment through Personal Growth , 2010 .

[46]  R. Eklund,et al.  Assessing Flow in Physical Activity: The Flow State Scale-2 and Dispositional Flow Scale-2 , 2002 .

[47]  Matti Mäntymäki,et al.  International Journal of Information Management Digital Natives in Social Virtual Worlds: a Multi-method Study of Gratifications and Social Influences in Habbo Hotel , 2022 .

[48]  K. Schermelleh-Engel,et al.  Evaluating the Fit of Structural Equation Models: Tests of Significance and Descriptive Goodness-of-Fit Measures. , 2003 .

[49]  V. Zeithaml,et al.  E-S-QUAL A Multiple-Item Scale for Assessing Electronic Service Quality , 2004 .

[50]  D. Campbell,et al.  Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix. , 1959, Psychological bulletin.

[51]  Amandeep Dhir,et al.  Why do we tag photographs on Facebook? Proposing a new gratifications scale , 2017, New Media Soc..

[52]  DhirAmandeep,et al.  Why do adolescents untag photos on Facebook , 2016 .

[53]  Chiao-Chen Chang,et al.  Examining users′ intention to continue using social network games: A flow experience perspective , 2013, Telematics Informatics.

[54]  Risto Rajala,et al.  Understanding online regret experience using the theoretical lens of flow experience , 2016, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[55]  Michael S. Nilan,et al.  Digital Format of Experience Sampling Method - Transformation, Implementation, and Assessment , 1999 .

[56]  Yi Qi,et al.  The Effects of Flow and Attachment on the e-Loyalty of SNS Websites , 2011, 2011 International Conference on Management and Service Science.

[57]  J. Webster,et al.  The Dimensionality and Correlates of Flow in Human-Computer Interactions. , 1993 .

[58]  Tenko Raykov,et al.  Coefficient Alpha and Composite Reliability With Interrelated Nonhomogeneous Items , 1998 .

[59]  Yong Liu,et al.  The effect of flow experience on mobile SNS users' loyalty , 2010, Ind. Manag. Data Syst..

[60]  V. Morrow,et al.  The Ethics of Social Research with Children: An Overview† , 1996 .

[61]  E. Webster,et al.  Playfulness and computers at work , 1989 .

[62]  Jawaid A. Ghani,et al.  The Experience Of Flow In Computer-Mediated And In Face-To-Face Groups , 1991, ICIS.

[63]  Kai Riemer,et al.  Internet Social Networking , 2011, Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng..

[64]  Elena Karahanna,et al.  Time Flies When You're Having Fun: Cognitive Absorption and Beliefs About Information Technology Usage , 2000, MIS Q..

[65]  Marios Koufaris,et al.  Applying the Technology Acceptance Model and Flow Theory to Online Consumer Behavior , 2002, Inf. Syst. Res..

[66]  M. Csíkszentmihályi.  Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience , 1990 .

[67]  Bong Gyou Lee,et al.  SNS flow, SNS self-disclosure and post hoc interpersonal relations change: Focused on Korean Facebook user , 2014, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[68]  L. Cronbach.  Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests , 1951 .

[69]  Lindsay T. Graham,et al.  A Review of Facebook Research in the Social Sciences , 2012, Perspectives on psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

[70]  Cliff Lampe,et al.  The Benefits of Facebook "Friends: " Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites , 2007, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[71]  Herbert W. Marsh,et al.  Flow experience in sport: Construct validation of multidimensional, hierarchical state and trait responses , 1999 .

[72]  Dennis L. Hoffman,et al.  Marketing in Hypermedia Computer-Mediated Environments : Conceptual Foundations 1 ) , 1998 .

[73]  Tim De Feyter,et al.  Facebook: A literature review , 2013, New Media Soc..

[74]  Kun Chang Lee,et al.  Transfer From Offline Trust to Key Online Perceptions: An Empirical Study , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management.

[75]  Yu-Lung Wu,et al.  Development and Validation of A Scale to Measure Blog Service Quality , 2012 .

[76]  J. Nunnally.  Psychometric Theory (2nd ed), New York: McGraw-Hill. , 1978 .

[77]  Hsiang Chen,et al.  Flow on the net-detecting Web users' positive affects and their flow states , 2006, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[78]  Tzung-Ru Tsai,et al.  What Drives People to Continue to Play Online Games? An Extension of Technology Model and Theory of Planned Behavior , 2010, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact..

[79]  Stephen A. Rains,et al.  What can we learn about social network sites by studying Facebook? A call and recommendations for research on social network sites , 2015, New Media Soc..

[80]  S. West,et al.  Teacher's Corner: Testing Measurement Invariance of Second-Order Factor Models , 2005 .

[81]  M. Csíkszentmihályi.  Flow. The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York (HarperPerennial) 1990. , 1990 .

[82]  Christina M. Finneran,et al.  The Challenges of Studying Flow within a Computer-Mediated Environment , 2002 .

[83]  Péter Soltész,et al.  Psychometric properties of a newly established flow state questionnaire , 2014 .

[84]  H. Marsh,et al.  Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Optimal Experience: The Flow State Scale , 1996 .

[85]  Tao Zhou,et al.  Examining mobile instant messaging user loyalty from the perspectives of network externalities and flow experience , 2011, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[86]  L. Cronbach,et al.  Construct validity in psychological tests. , 1955, Psychological bulletin.

[87]  Darren George,et al.  SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference , 1998 .

[88]  Andrew J. Martin,et al.  Long and short measures of flow: the construct validity of the FSS-2, DFS-2, and new brief counterparts. , 2008, Journal of sport & exercise psychology.

[89]  Rolph E. Anderson,et al.  Multivariate Data Analysis: Text and Readings , 1979 .

[90]  Young-Gul Kim,et al.  Extending the TAM for a World-Wide-Web context , 2000, Inf. Manag..

[91]  Jen-Her Wu,et al.  Falling in love with online games: The uses and gratifications perspective , 2010, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[92]  Youn-Kyung Kim,et al.  The role of social network websites in the consumer–brand relationship , 2014 .

[93]  Rex B. Kline,et al.  Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling , 1998 .

[94]  A. Lenhart.  Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015 , 2015 .

[95]  R. Kline.  Principles and practice of structural equation modeling, 3rd ed. , 2011 .

[96]  Terence C. Ahern,et al.  Targeting Motivation—Adapting Flow Theory to Instructional Design , 1999 .

[97]  H. Kaiser.  A second generation little jiffy , 1970 .