Why People Adopt Social Networking-based Mobile Data Service - A Fit Perspective

Social networking sites (SNS) have greatly transformed the way in which people communicate and exchange various kinds of information. Although prior studies have extensively examined the antecedents of mobile data service (such as mobile news) adoption, there is little understanding on what has occurred when people pursue better-quality information from their peers via wireless networks and mobile devices. In this research-in-progress paper, we have chosen two most representative platforms (i.e., mobile micro-blogging and mobile Q&A), and examined users’ information system adoption behavior under different information seeking strategies (i.e., the push vs. pull-based information seeking strategy). Built on the task-technology fit (TTF) theory, two forms of fit (i.e., task-technology fit and needs-technology fit) have been identified, and a theoretical model consisting of six research hypotheses was proposed. This study is expected to contribute to our collective understanding of information system adoption in general, and the use of social networking-based mobile data service in particular.