Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/265029 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Citation: 
[Journal:] International Journal of Consumer Studies [ISSN:] 1470-6431 [Volume:] 46 [Issue:] 4 [Publisher:] Wiley [Place:] Hoboken, NJ [Year:] 2021 [Pages:] 1399-1412
Publisher: 
Wiley, Hoboken, NJ
Abstract: 
Smartphones have evolved to be among the most important objects in peoples' daily lives. However, little knowledge exists on users' relationships with smartphones. This study examines the user‐smartphone relationship from an attachment perspective. More specifically, the present research develops an understanding of the different faces of smartphone attachment considering the perceived value‐in‐use of smartphones as a source. The findings of an online survey among smartphone users reveal that users are attached to the smartphone itself because of the value it derives during usage. Most interestingly, the effects of perceived value‐in‐use have been found to be ambivalent because they can enhance both positive (e.g., passion) and negative (e.g., separation distress) aspects of smartphone attachment. Moreover, specific compositions of the value‐in‐use define the individual facets of smartphone attachment. For instance, passion has been found to be determined by social, hedonic, and utilitarian value‐in‐use, whereas distress is triggered by both perceived utilitarian and hedonic value‐in‐use. In sum, this study's findings help to understand and manage consumers' smartphone attachment.
Subjects: 
distress
emotional attachment
passion
smartphone attachment
value‐in‐use
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc-nd Logo
Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Published Version

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.