Will Flow Experience Lead to Better Outcomes in Online Shopping?

This paper reports the results of a study examining users’ perceptions of flow and outcomes in online shopping. Three characteristics of flow activities and six dimensions of flow are predicted to affect outcomes as measured by perceived usefulness, pleasure, and behavior intentions. Results show that flow affects all outcome measures. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

[1]  J. Rossiter,et al.  Store atmosphere: an environmental psychology approach , 1982 .

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

[3]  Steven Pace,et al.  A grounded theory of the flow experiences of Web users , 2004, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[4]  Rolf T. Wigand,et al.  Optimal experience of Web activities , 1999 .

[5]  Ping Zhang,et al.  Flow in Computer-Mediated Environments: Promises and Challenges , 2005, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[6]  K. Kiili Content creation challenges and flow experience in educational games: The IT-Emperor case , 2005, Internet High. Educ..

[7]  Ming-Hui Huang,et al.  Modeling virtual exploratory and shopping dynamics: an environmental psychology approach , 2003, Inf. Manag..

[8]  J. Webster,et al.  Flow in Computer-Mediated Communication , 1992 .

[9]  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..

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

[11]  Terence A. Oliva,et al.  Play as a Consumption Experience: The Roles of Emotions, Performance, and Personality in the Enjoyment of Games , 1984 .

[12]  Jyh-Jeng Wu,et al.  Towards understanding members' interactivity, trust, and flow in online travel community , 2005, Ind. Manag. Data Syst..

[13]  Yongxia Skadberg,et al.  Visitors' flow experience while browsing a Web site: its measurement, contributing factors and consequences , 2004, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[14]  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..

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

[16]  Aviv Shoham Flow experiences and image making: An online chat‐room ethnography , 2004 .

[17]  Jeffrey Sam Siekpe,et al.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONALITY OF FLOW CONSTRUCT IN A COMPUTER-MEDIATED ENVIRONMENT , 2005 .

[18]  M. Csíkszentmihályi,et al.  Optimal experience in work and leisure. , 1989, Journal of personality and social psychology.

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

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

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

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

[23]  HuangMing-Hui Modeling virtual exploratory and shopping dynamics , 2003 .

[24]  R. Wigand,et al.  Optimal Flow Experience in Web Navigation , 2002 .

[25]  Jonathan W. Palmer,et al.  Web Site Usability, Design, and Performance Metrics , 2002, Inf. Syst. Res..

[26]  M. Csíkszentmihályi The flow experience and its significance for human psychology. , 1988 .

[27]  S. Deshpande,et al.  Task Characteristics and the Experience of Optimal Flow in Human—Computer Interaction , 1994 .

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

[29]  Eeva M. Pilke Flow experiences in information technology use , 2004, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

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

[31]  Ruth Rettie,et al.  An exploration of flow during Internet use , 2001, Internet Res..

[32]  Donna L. Hoffman,et al.  Measuring the Flow Construct in Online Environments : A Structural Modeling Approach , 1998 .

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

[34]  Jane Webster,et al.  Audience engagement in multimedia presentations , 1997, DATB.