Paper Number
1266
Abstract
A novel type of application is presently advancing the digitalisation of sports by transferring physical performance into a virtual world, enabling users to compete and exercise together online. Nevertheless, mass adoption remains a significant challenge. We focus on the running and cycling application ZWIFT, which has received considerable attention as an exemplary mixed-reality sport (MRS) platform. To illuminate adoption factors, we conducted interviews with 22 (non-)users of ZWIFT (including professional cyclists), and apply qualitative content analysis based on the multi-level framework of technology acceptance and use. We refine the UTAUT2 model and define individual-level (e.g., realism, sports identification, task purpose) and higher-level (e.g., weather, values of sport, cheating) context factors and new outcome phenomena (e.g., social network size). Our findings advance the literature on the acceptance of mixed-reality applications in the context of sports, and provide a foundation for further research. Moreover, guidelines for fostering MRS adoption are provided.
Recommended Citation
Westmattelmann, Daniel; Grotenhermen, Jan-Gerrit; Stoffers, Benedikt; and Schewe, Gerhard, "Exploring the adoption of mixed-reality sport platforms: A qualitative study on ZWIFT" (2021). ECIS 2021 Research Papers. 48.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2021_rp/48
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