The adoption of text messaging services among Norwegian teens: development and test of an extended adoption model

Text messaging in the form of SMS has become one of the most successful mobile services in Norway, and the use of this service is now well integrated into the everyday life of young Norwegians. To explain the widespread adoption of this service, findings from diffusion, uses and gratifications, information systems and domestication research are reviewed and integrated into a re-specified and extended model based upon the theory of planned behavior. The model is tested on a sample of young users of text messaging services. We conclude that the suggested re-specifications and extensions are justified. The final model shows good fit and explains more than 70 % of the variance in intention to use text messaging services. The results support including elements of enjoyment and expressiveness in models of text messaging adoption, show little support for including subjective norm, and indicate that users may perceive some form of deficient self-regulation in the use of these services. Implications for the mobile services industry as well as for further research on users' adoption requirements of mobile services are suggested.