Abstract

Software updates are an instrument commonly used in software development projects to modify or enhance the functionalities of the underlying base-software. They can change or add features, fix critical bugs or close security vulnerabilities. We present the results of an online-vignette experiment with 322 participants to test the effect of three different software update types on users. This research paper uses the post-adoption IS continuance model (ISCM) as a theoretical lens, and we compare pre- and post-treatment measurements across our several experimental groups, namely feature updates, bug fix updates, and security updates. Our results suggest that non-feature updates, such as a bug fix update can also have a positive effect on users’ perception of the underlying base-software and specifically on the variables used in the ISCM. Furthermore, we try to shed light on a discrepancy found in recent IS literature regarding the effects of security updates. Our findings extend the theoretical conceptualization of software updates, enhance the understanding of how they affect users, and provide guidance to developers and publishers in the design and alignment of their software development projects.

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