Date of Award

Spring 3-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems (PhDIS)

First Advisor

Omar El-Gayar

Second Advisor

Cherie Noteboom

Third Advisor

Patti Brooks

Fourth Advisor

Insu Park

Abstract

Wearable fitness devices continue to grow in popularity worldwide, with projections indicating 347 million users by 2028. While the adoption and continued use of these devices have been extensively researched, limited investigation has addressed why users switch devices—a critical phase in the Information Systems Discontinuance model. The existing research on Information Systems (IS) switching for wearable fitness devices has primarily explored switching intention rather than examining actual switching behavior. The literature emphasizes the importance of studying actual behavior versus intent, noting they often differ significantly. This qualitative study employed deductive and inductive thematic analysis of Reddit data from users who switched wearable fitness devices. Using the Push-Pull-Mooring theoretical framework as a guide, the analysis revealed ten distinct themes influencing users' decision to switch devices. This research contributes to IS Discontinuance and provides practical insights for WFD manufacturers seeking to understand customer switching behavior.

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