The impact of 3G technologies on user acceptance of mobile commerce

The ability to conduct commerce by using mobile devices denotes the next step in the development process of electronic business. The growth potential of the mobile commerce segment is generally seen as positive for the future. The tourism industry already offers a variety of different mobile commerce applications services. This study explores factors determining the adoption process of mobile services offered by airlines in a German context as of 2009. Furthermore it examines if the introduction of 3G technologies has a positive impact on users' acceptance of these services. It is found that the acceptance of airlines' mobile services is significantly determined by the ease of use, attitude towards using and behavioural intention. Due to lacking validity, external variables like age, gender, education, profession and past adoption behaviour do not prove to be powerful predictors for the adoption process. However the introduction of 3G technologies has a direct positive impact on perceived ease of use and thus indirectly on attitude towards using. Therefore, this paper certifies a positive influence of 3G technologies on users' adoption of mobile services offered by airlines.