IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v175y2024ics0148296324000614.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Why do people interact and buy in the Metaverse? Self-Expansion perspectives and the impact of hedonic adaptation

Author

Listed:
  • Ahn, Suhyoung
  • Ellie Jin, Byoungho
  • Seo, Hyesim

Abstract

The metaverse, a virtual space where people can interact with each other, is garnering global attention. This study attempts to answer three questions: what attracts someone to the metaverse, why do consumers buy intangible virtual goods in it, and do participants purchase more virtual items as they visit it frequently? Drawing from self-expansion theory and the notion of hedonic adaptation, this study examined the effects of perceived interactivity on the purchase intention of virtual items in the metaverse, mediated by perceived self-expansion, and moderated by metaverse access frequency. Data were collected through a survey of 248 individuals with metaverse experience. The results indicated that participants’ perceived interactivity (i.e., playfulness and connectedness) strengthened their perception of expanded self, which in turn enhanced their purchase intentions toward virtual items. Furthermore, the metaverse access frequency was found to weaken the indirect effects of playfulness and connectedness on purchase intention through self-expansion.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahn, Suhyoung & Ellie Jin, Byoungho & Seo, Hyesim, 2024. "Why do people interact and buy in the Metaverse? Self-Expansion perspectives and the impact of hedonic adaptation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:175:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324000614
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114557
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296324000614
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114557?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yogesh K. Dwivedi & L. Hughes & Y. Wang & A.A. Alalwan & S.J. Ahn & J. Balakrishnan & S. Barta & R. Belk & D. Buhalis & Vincent Dutot & R. Felix & R. Filieri & C. Flavián & A. Gustafsson & C. Hinsch &, 2023. "Metaverse Marketing: How the Metaverse Will Shape the Future of Consumer Research and Practice," Post-Print hal-04292610, HAL.
    2. Giang Barrera, Kevin & Shah, Denish, 2023. "Marketing in the Metaverse: Conceptual understanding, framework, and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    3. Joseph P. Redden, 2008. "Reducing Satiation: The Role of Categorization Level," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 34(5), pages 624-634, August.
    4. Belk, Russell W & Bahn, Kenneth D & Mayer, Robert N, 1982. "Developmental Recognition of Consumption Symbolism," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 9(1), pages 4-17, June.
    5. Liu, Yuping, 2003. "Developing a Scale to Measure the Interactivity of Websites," Journal of Advertising Research, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(2), pages 207-216, June.
    6. Hamari, Juho, 2015. "Why do people buy virtual goods? Attitude toward virtual good purchases versus game enjoyment," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 299-308.
    7. Domina, Tanya & Lee, Seung-Eun & MacGillivray, Maureen, 2012. "Understanding factors affecting consumer intention to shop in a virtual world," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 613-620.
    8. Di Tella, Rafael & Haisken-De New, John & MacCulloch, Robert, 2010. "Happiness adaptation to income and to status in an individual panel," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 76(3), pages 834-852, December.
    9. Bitrián, Paula & Buil, Isabel & Catalán, Sara, 2021. "Enhancing user engagement: The role of gamification in mobile apps," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 170-185.
    10. Russell W. Belk, 2013. "Extended Self in a Digital World," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 40(3), pages 477-500.
    11. Belk, Russell W, 1988. "Possessions and the Extended Self," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 15(2), pages 139-168, September.
    12. Gwarlann de Kerviler & Carlos Rodriguez, 2019. "Luxury brand experiences and relationship quality for Millennials: The role of self-expansion," Post-Print hal-02114441, HAL.
    13. Belk, Russell & Humayun, Mariam & Brouard, Myriam, 2022. "Money, possessions, and ownership in the Metaverse: NFTs, cryptocurrencies, Web3 and Wild Markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 198-205.
    14. Sirgy, M Joseph, 1982. "Self-Concept in Consumer Behavior: A Critical Review," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 9(3), pages 287-300, December.
    15. Solomon, Michael R, 1983. "The Role of Products as Social Stimuli: A Symbolic Interactionism Perspective," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 10(3), pages 319-329, December.
    16. Apaolaza, Vanessa & Hartmann, Patrick & Paredes, Mario R. & Trujillo, Alejandra & D'Souza, Clare, 2022. "What motivates consumers to buy fashion pet clothing? The role of attachment, pet anthropomorphism, and self-expansion," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 367-379.
    17. Leif D. Nelson & Tom Meyvis & Jeff Galak, 2009. "Enhancing the Television-Viewing Experience through Commercial Interruptions," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 36(2), pages 160-172.
    18. de Regt, Anouk & Plangger, Kirk & Barnes, Stuart J., 2021. "Virtual reality marketing and customer advocacy: Transforming experiences from story-telling to story-doing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 513-522.
    19. Thorsten Hennig-Thurau & Dorothea N. Aliman & Alina M. Herting & Gerrit P. Cziehso & Marc Linder & Raoul V. Kübler, 2023. "Social interactions in the metaverse: Framework, initial evidence, and research roadmap," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 889-913, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Balakrishnan, Janarthanan & Mishra, Anubhav & Bock, Koen W. De & Al-Busaidi, Adil S., 2024. "The role of embodiment, experience, and self-image expression in creating continuance intention in the metaverse," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ekinci, Yuksel & Sirakaya-Turk, Ercan & Preciado, Sandra, 2013. "Symbolic consumption of tourism destination brands," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(6), pages 711-718.
    2. Giang Barrera, Kevin & Shah, Denish, 2023. "Marketing in the Metaverse: Conceptual understanding, framework, and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    3. Shijin Yoo & Seh-Woong Chung & Jin Han, 2006. "A Durable Replacement Model for Symbolic versus Utilitarian Consumption: An Integrated Cultural and Socio-economic Perspective," Global Economic Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 193-206.
    4. Hogg, Margaret K. & Banister, Emma N. & Stephenson, Christopher A., 2009. "Mapping symbolic (anti-) consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 148-159, February.
    5. Bockholdt, Katrin & Kemper, Jan & Brettel, Malte, 2020. "Private label shoppers between fast fashion trends and status symbolism – A customer characteristics investigation," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    6. Maystre, Nicolas & Olivier, Jacques & Thoenig, Mathias & Verdier, Thierry, 2014. "Product-based cultural change: Is the village global?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(2), pages 212-230.
    7. Heffner, Reid R., 2007. "Semiotics and Advanced Vehicles: What Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) Mean and Why it Matters to Consumers," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt9mw1t4w3, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    8. Jerónimo, Rita & Ramos, Tânia & Ferreira, Mário B., 2018. "Trait transference from brands to individuals: The impact of brand-behavior congruency," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 54-65.
    9. Agnieszka Zablocki & Bodo Schlegelmilch & Michael J. Houston, 2019. "How valence, volume and variance of online reviews influence brand attitudes," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 9(1), pages 61-77, June.
    10. repec:dau:papers:123456789/3624 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Lee, Michael S.W. & Motion, Judith & Conroy, Denise, 2009. "Anti-consumption and brand avoidance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 169-180, February.
    12. Stokburger-Sauer, Nicola & Ratneshwar, S. & Sen, Sankar, 2012. "Drivers of consumer–brand identification," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 406-418.
    13. Roger B Mason, 2013. "The ‘Chav’ Subculture: Branded Clothing as an Extension of the Self," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 5(3), pages 173-184.
    14. Liyanaarachchi, Gajendra & Mifsud, Matthieu & Viglia, Giampaolo, 2024. "Virtual influencers and data privacy: Introducing the multi-privacy paradox," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    15. Keegan, Brendan James & McCarthy, Ian P. & Kietzmann, Jan & Canhoto, Ana Isabel, 2024. "On your marks, headset, go! Understanding the building blocks of metaverse realms," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 107-119.
    16. Cagri Yalkin & Richard Rosenbaum-Elliott, 2014. "Talking Fashion in Female Friendship Groups: Negotiating the Necessary Marketplace Skills and Knowledge," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 301-331, June.
    17. Hosany, Sameer & Martin, Drew, 2012. "Self-image congruence in consumer behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(5), pages 685-691.
    18. Zhu, Jiang & Jiang, Lan & Dou, Wenyu & Liang, Liang, 2019. "Post, Eat, Change: The Effects of Posting Food Photos on Consumers' Dining Experiences and Brand Evaluation," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 101-112.
    19. Antonia Correia & Metin Kozak & Seongseop (Sam) Kim, 2018. "Luxury shopping orientations of mainland Chinese tourists in Hong Kong," Tourism Economics, , vol. 24(1), pages 92-108, February.
    20. Joan-Francesc Fondevila-Gascón & Marc Polo-López & Josep Rom-Rodríguez & Pedro Mir-Bernal, 2020. "Social Media Influence on Consumer Behavior: The Case of Mobile Telephony Manufacturers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-23, February.
    21. Baumann, Chris & Hamin, Hamin & Chong, Amy, 2015. "The role of brand exposure and experience on brand recall—Product durables vis-à -vis FMCG," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 21-31.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:175:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324000614. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.