An Empirical Study of Competing Applications: Three Comparison Processes (TOP 3 Faculty Paper).

Previous analyses of the information technology (IT) adoption have focused on a single application. Despite different vendors offer similar software, studies in IT adoption seldom look at the effects of alternative applications. In this paper, we review different models - which examine comparison processes -- from communication technology, consumer behavior, information systems and marketing fields. We summarize these studies into three comparison processes, and based on these theoretical developments, we set our hypotheses. The study is set in the context of two instant messaging technologies: MSN and Yahoo Messenger. From the enrollment database of more than 15000 names and email addresses, we filter out respondents who have not installed and used these messengers. Based on a survey from about 300 instant messaging users, the result shows that the effects of the competing products should be considered. Important contributions to research and practice from this finding are discussed. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]