Examining Gender Differences in System Switching Costs

When new technology is introduced through an upgrade from or a replacement of an existing system, switching costs can be an important factor influencing the adoption of the new system. Recent research has identified several categories of switching costs including: uncertainty costs, emotional costs, learning costs, reduced performance costs, and sunk costs. A substantial amount of literature suggests that there are gender differences which may impact the degree to which these switching costs are felt. In this study we look at gender differences in switching costs associated with the transition between two learning management systems. We find that females generally experience higher switching costs than males and this difference is statistically significant for emotional and sunk costs.