Adoption and non-adoption motivational risk beliefs in the use of mobile services for health promotion

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to validate empirically a theoretical model that integrates an innovative construct capturing consumers’ non-adoption risk belief associated with not using a mobile service designed to support them in a non-leisure activity. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model contrasting perceived non-adoption risk to perceived adoption risk of a mobile service supporting health promotion was developed and tested with a sample of potential consumers in North America. Findings Results show that non-adoption risk is a moderately strong antecedent of motivational factors in contrast to adoption risk that hinders the acceptance of a mobile service supporting health promotion. Research limitations/implications Healthcare is a highly sensitive social sector, so possible negative consequences of not using the support of a mobile service are an additional motivation for adopting this service. Future research should test the role of non-adoption risk in other contexts of technology use, including non-leisure settings. Practical implications Making potential users see the possible negative consequences of not using a mobile service designed to support them in a non-leisure activity increases their motivation and, subsequently, intention to use the service. Social implications Educational efforts to making consumers see the risks of not using a supporting technology application appear to be justified. Originality/value This study demonstrates the significant role of non-adoption risk belief that captures the negative consequences individuals may perceive if they fail to use as expected a mobile service application designed specifically to help them.