- Existing theoretical frameworks explain adoption intention well, but not continuous usage intention

- Results are based on a field trial with 549 participants who had the possibility to interact with a smartphone application for energy efficiency over several weeks

- We collected data from the same sample of participants at two different stages of experience with the technology

Privately used Information Systems (IS) and their applications have conquered our lives. While scholars have studied the mechanisms that determine the adoption and usage of IS of professional applications (i.e., IS tailored to employees), the factors shaping the adoption and use in private contexts may be fundamentally different.

In a two-month field study in the Netherlands we investigated why individuals initially decide to adopt a given private IS (a smart phone application for energy efficiency) and which factors influence the continued use over several weeks. We collected survey data both before the participants (N = 549) were first exposed to the technology and after several weeks of (potential) interaction with the app. In addition, we collected log data on actual system usage.

Existing theoretical frameworks (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, UTAUT 1 and 2) explain well the participants’ intention to adopt the technology, but not their continuous usage intention. In line with prior research, our data suggests that beliefs are updated from adoption to continuous usage stage. After some experience with the IS, users’ continuous usage intention seems to depend much more on whether they found the IS entertaining and on its perceived performance than reported in previous adoption studies.