Abstract
Third generation mobile telecommunications (3G) launched in 2001 in Japan led to the diffusion of mobile data services and advanced mobile devices. It resulted in people spending more time on mobile data services than traditional voice call services. Furthermore, smartphone penetration is rapidly growing after various kinds of smartphone devices have been introduced in 2010, which are replacing feature phones. The analysis based on a recent nationwide survey conducted among smartphone users shows that users’ positive attitude toward smartphones significantly impacts the intention to use and the attitude is influenced mostly by user’s perception of usefulness of smartphones. And also this study finds that user’s intention to use smartphones is also impacted by social influences such as others’ opinions and cultures/ norms in the user’s specific group.
This study makes clear features of the adoption of smartphones and makes proposals which are of interest both to smartphone users and those working in the mobile phone business.
