Is Intrinsic Motivation as Important in Utilitarian Systems as It Is in Hedonic Systems? A Preliminary Meta-Analysis

This research examines whether the hedonic 1 or utilitarian nature of a system serves as a boundary condition for understanding an individual’s interaction with information technology (IT). To do so, we reviewed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) literature to identify studies incorporating intrinsic motivators (i.e. indicators of hedonic responses to IT). We then employed meta-analytic techniques to examine whether the nature of the system moderates intrinsic motivators’ influence across studies. Results from the meta-analysis of 24 studies indicate intrinsic motivators are as germane to understanding use of utilitarian systems as they are to hedonic systems. The implications of these results are discussed.