DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Building Relationships with AI Assistants: An Extended Investment Model and Its Empirical Test

  • Hyun-Jun Jeon (School of Business, Yonsei University) ;
  • Jai-Yeol Son (Information Systems at the School of Business, Yonsei University)
  • Received : 2024.05.18
  • Accepted : 2024.11.05
  • Published : 2024.12.30

Abstract

AI assistants are designed to closely interact with their users to help them complete various everyday tasks. To explain the continued use of AI assistants, we develop a research model that extends the investment model by Rusbult (1980), and empirically test it with data collected from an online survey of 172 users. The findings indicate that both satisfaction, which leads a user to become dedicated to a relationship with an AI assistant, and investment size, which constrains a user to a relationship with an incumbent AI assistant, significantly influence a user's commitment to an AI assistant. The commitment in turn enhances a user's continued use of an AI Assistant. We also find that perceived usefulness, rapport, and perceived social presence are key antecedents of satisfaction, while brand relationship and setup costs are key antecedents of investment size.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Yonsei University Research Fund of 2023 (2023-22-0190).

References

  1. Al Shamsi, J. H., Al-Emran, M., and Shaalan, K. (2022). Understanding key drivers affecting students' use of artificial intelligence-based voice assistants. Education and Information Technologies, 27(6), 8071-8091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-10947-3
  2. Bendapudi, N., and Berry, L. L. (1997). Customers' motivations for maintaining relationships with service providers. Journal of Retailing, 73(1), 15-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(97)90013-0
  3. Bhattacherjee, A. (2001). Understanding information systems continuance: An expectation-confirmation model. MIS Quarterly, 25(3), 351-370. https://doi.org/10.2307/3250921
  4. Burnham, T. A., Frels, J. K., and Mahajan, V. (2003). Consumer switching costs: a typology, antecedents, and consequences. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 31(2), 109-126. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092070302250897
  5. Canziani, B., and MacSween, S. (2021). Consumer acceptance of voice-activated smart home devices for product information seeking and online ordering. Computers in Human Behavior, 119, 106714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106714
  6. Chen, P. Y., and Hitt, L. M. (2002). Measuring switching costs and the determinants of customer retention in Internet-enabled businesses: A study of the online brokerage industry. Information Systems Research, 13(3), 255-274. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.13.3.255.78
  7. Choice, P., and Lamke, L. (1999). Stay/leave decision-making in abusive dating relationships. Personal Relationships, 6(3), 351-368. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.1999.tb00197.x
  8. Compeau, D. R., and Higgins, C. A. (1995). Computer self-efficacy: Development of a measure and initial test. MIS Quarterly, 19(2), 189-211. https://doi.org/10.2307/249688
  9. Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 318-340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
  10. Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., and Warshaw, P. R. (1989). User acceptance of computer technology: A comparison of two theoretical models. Management Science, 35(8), 982-1003. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.35.8.982
  11. Fernandes, T., and Oliveira, E. (2021). Understanding consumers' acceptance of automated technologies in service encounters: Drivers of digital voice assistants adoption. Journal of Business Research, 122, 180-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.08.058
  12. Gefen, D., and Straub, D. (2005). A practical guide to factorial validity using PLS-Graph: Tutorial and annotated example. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 16(1), 91-109. https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.01605
  13. Gefen, D., Straub, D., and Boudreau, M. C. (2000). Structural equation modeling and regression: Guidelines for research practice. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 4(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.00407
  14. Geyer, P. D., Brannon, Y. S., and Shearon, R. W. (1987). The prediction of students' satisfaction with community college vocational training. The Journal of Psychology, 121(6), 591-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.1987.9712688
  15. Grand View Research. (2022). Conversational AI Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Solutions, Managed Services, Professional Services), By Type, By Deployment, By Technology, By End-user, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030. Retrieved July 26, 2022 from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/conversational-ai-market-report?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ICT_15-June-22&utm_term=conversational_ai_market_report&utm_content=rd
  16. Gremler, D. D., and Gwinner, K. P. (2000). Customer-employee rapport in service relationships. Journal of Service Research, 3(1), 82-104. https://doi.org/10.1177/109467050031006
  17. Hair Jr, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L., and Kuppelwieser, V. G. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research. European Business Review, 26(2), 106-121. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128
  18. Harman, H. H. (1976). Modern Factor Analysis. University of Chicago press.
  19. Heerink, M., Kröse, B., Evers, V. and Wielinga, B. (2008). The influence of social presence on acceptance of a companion robot by older people. Journal of Physical Agents, 2(2), 33-40. https://doi.org/10.14198/JoPha.2008.2.2.05
  20. Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., and Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8
  21. Hernandez‐Ortega, B., and Ferreira, I. (2021). How smart experiences build service loyalty: The importance of consumer love for smart voice assistants. Psychology & Marketing, 38(7), 1122-1139. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21497
  22. Hollebeek, L. D., Glynn, M. S., and Brodie, R. J. (2014). Consumer brand engagement in social media: Conceptualization, scale development and validation. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 28(2), 149-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.002
  23. Hu, Q., Lu, Y., Pan, Z., Gong, Y., and Yang, Z. (2021). Can AI artifacts influence human cognition? The effects of artificial autonomy in intelligent personal assistants. International Journal of Information Management, 56, 102250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102250
  24. Impett, E. A., Beals, K. P., and Peplau, L. A. (2018). Testing the investment model of relationship commitment and stability in a longitudinal study of married couples. In Love, Romance, Sexual Interaction (pp. 163-181). Routledge.
  25. Janssen, A., Passlick, J., Rodríguez Cardona, D., and Breitner, M. H. (2020). Virtual assistance in any context. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 62(3), 211-225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-020-00644-1
  26. Jones, M. A., Mothersbaugh, D. L., and Beatty, S. E. (2000). Switching barriers and repurchase intentions in services. Journal of Retailing, 76(2), 259-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(00)00024-5
  27. Jones, M. A., Mothersbaugh, D. L. and Beatty, S. E. (2002). Why customers stay: measuring the underlying dimensions of services switching costs and managing their differential strategic outcomes. Journal of Business Research, 55(6), 441-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(00)00168-5
  28. Kang, W., and Shao, B. (2022). The impact of voice assistants' intelligent attributes on consumer well-being: Findings from PLS-SEM and fsQCA. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 70, 103130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.103130
  29. Kautish, P., Purohit, S., Filieri, R., and Dwivedi, Y. K. (2023). Examining the role of consumer motivations to use voice assistants for fashion shopping: The mediating role of awe experience and eWOM. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 190, 122407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122407
  30. Klemperer, P. (1987). Markets with consumer switching costs. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 102(2), 375-394. https://doi.org/10.2307/1885068
  31. Kline, R.B. (2011). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling. Guilford Press, New York.
  32. Lam, S. Y., Shankar, V., Erramilli, M. K., and Murthy, B. (2004). Customer value, satisfaction, loyalty, and switching costs: an illustration from a business-to-business service context. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 32(3), 293-311. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092070304263330
  33. Lee, K. Y., Sheehan, L., Lee, K., and Chang, Y. (2021). The continuation and recommendation intention of artificial intelligence-based voice assistant systems (AIVAS): the influence of personal traits. Internet Research, 31(5), 1899-1939. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-06-2020-0327
  34. Li, D., Browne, G. J., and Wetherbe, J. C. (2006). Why do internet users stick with a specific website? A relationship perspective. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 10(4), 105-141. https://doi.org/10.2753/JEC1086-4415100404
  35. Lindell, M. K., and Whitney, D. J. (2001). Accounting for common method variance in cross-sectional research designs. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(1), 114. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.1.114
  36. Maroufkhani, P., Asadi, S., Ghobakhloo, M., Jannesari, M. T., and Ismail, W. K. W. (2022). How do interactive voice assistants build brands' loyalty?. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 183, 121870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121870
  37. McCracken, G. (1986). Culture and consumption: A theoretical account of the structure and movement of the cultural meaning of consumer goods. Journal of Consumer Research, 13(1), 71-84. https://doi.org/10.1086/209048
  38. McKnight, D. H., Choudhury, V., and Kacmar, C. (2002). Developing and validating trust measures for e-commerce: An integrative typology. Information Systems Research, 13(3), 334-359. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.13.3.334.81
  39. McLean, G., Osei-Frimpong, K., and Barhorst, J. (2021). Alexa, do voice assistants influence consumer brand engagement?–Examining the role of AI powered voice assistants in influencing consumer brand engagement. Journal of Business Research, 124, 312-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.11.045
  40. Mende, M., Scott, M. L., van Doorn, J., Grewal, D., and Shanks, I. (2019). Service robots rising: How humanoid robots influence service experiences and elicit compensatory consumer responses. Journal of Marketing Research, 56(4), 535-556. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022243718822827
  41. Mishra, A., Shukla, A., and Sharma, S. K. (2022). Psychological determinants of users' adoption and word-of-mouth recommendations of smart voice assistants. International Journal of Information Management, 102413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102413
  42. Moussawi, S., and Benbunan-Fich, R. (2020). The effect of voice and humour on users' perceptions of personal intelligent agents. Behaviour & Information Technology, 40(3), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1772368
  43. Moussawi, S., Koufaris, M., and Benbunan-Fich, R. (2021). How perceptions of intelligence and anthropomorphism affect adoption of personal intelligent agents. Electronic Markets, 31(2), 343-364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-020-00411-w
  44. Oliver, N. (1990). Rewards, investments, alternatives and organizational commitment: Empirical and evidence and theoretical development. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63, 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.1990.tb00507.x
  45. O'Guinn, T. C., and Faber, R. J. (1989). Compulsive buying: A phenomenological exploration. Journal of Consumer Research, 16(2), 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1086/209204
  46. Pecune, F., Chen, J., Matsuyama, Y., and Cassell, J. (2018, July). Field trial analysis of socially aware robot assistant. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (pp. 1241-1249).
  47. Pitardi, V., and Marriott, H. R. (2021). Alexa, she's not human but… Unveiling the drivers of consumers' trust in voice‐based artificial intelligence. Psychology & Marketing, 38(4), 626-642. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21457
  48. Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y., and Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
  49. Qiu, H., Li, M., Shu, B., and Bai, B. (2020). Enhancing hospitality experience with service robots: The mediating role of rapport building. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29(3), 247-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2019.1645073
  50. Rafaeli, A., Altman, D., Gremler, D. D., Huang, M. H., Grewal, D., Iyer, B., Parasuraman, A., and de Ruyter, K. (2017). The future of frontline research: Invited commentaries. Journal of Service Research, 20(1), 91-99. https://dci.org/10.1177/1094670516679275
  51. Ray, S. Kim, S. S., and Morris, J. G. (2012). Research note-Online Users' switching costs: Their nature and formation. Information Systems Research, 23(1), 197-213. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1100.0340
  52. Rhatigan, D. L., and Axsom, D. K. (2006). Using the investment model to understand battered women's commitment to abusive relationships. Journal of Family Violence, 21(2), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-005-9013-z
  53. Rusbult, C. E. (1980). Commitment and satisfaction in romantic associations: A test of the investment model. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 16(2), 172-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1031(80)90007-4
  54. Rusbult, C. E. (1983). A longitudinal test of the investment model: The development (and deterioration) of satisfaction and commitment in heterosexual involvements. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45(1), 101-117. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.101
  55. Rusbult, C. E., Agnew, C., and Arriaga, X. (2011). The investment model of commitment processes. Department of Psychological Sciences Faculty Publications, 26. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446249222.n37
  56. Rusbult, C. E., and Martz, J. M. (1995). Remaining in an abusive relationship: An investment model analysis of nonvoluntary dependence. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21(6), 558-571. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167295216002
  57. Rusbult, C. E., Martz, J. M., and Agnew, C. R. (1998). The investment model Scale: Measuring commitment level, satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, and investment size. Personal Relationships, 5(4), 357-391. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.1998.tb00177.x
  58. Sharabi, L. L., and Timmermans, E. (2021). Why settle when there are plenty of fish in the sea? Rusbult's investment model applied to online dating. New Media & Society, 23(10), 2926-2946. https://doi.org/10.1177/146144482093766
  59. Song, X., Xu, B., and Zhao, Z. (2022). Can people experience romantic love for artificial intelligence? An empirical study of intelligent assistants. Information & Management, 59(2), 103595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2022.103595
  60. Sternberg, R. J. (1986). A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93(2), 119-135. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.93.2.119
  61. Uysal, A. (2016). Commitment to multiplayer online games: An investment model approach. Computers in Human Behavior, 61, 357-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.028
  62. Van Doorn, J., Mende, M., Noble, S., Hulland, J., Ostrom, A., Grewal, D., and Petersen, J. A. (2017). Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto: Emergence of automated social presence in organizational frontlines and customers' service experiences. Journal of Service Research, 20(1), 43-58. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670516679272
  63. Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., and Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425-478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
  64. Voicebot.ai. (2022). The Rise and Stall of the U.S. Smart Speaker Market – New Report. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://voicebot.ai/2022/03/02/the-rise-and-stall-of-the-u-s-smart-speaker-market-new-report/
  65. Walther, J. B. (1992). Interpersonal effects in computer-mediated interaction: A relational perspective. Communication Research, 19(1), 52-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365092019001003
  66. Westerman, D., Cross, A. C., and Lindmark, P. G. (2019). I believe in a thing called bot: Perceptions of the humanness of "chatbots". Communication Studies, 70(3), 295-312. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2018.1557233
  67. Westerman, D., Edwards, A. P., Edwards, C., Luo, Z., and Spence, P. R. (2020). I-It, I-Thou, I-Robot: The perceived humanness of AI in human-machine communication. Communication Studies, 71(3), 393-408. https://doi.org/10.1080/105109742020.1749683
  68. Wirtz, J., Patterson, P., Kunz, W., Gruber, T., Lu, V., Paluch, S., and Martins, A. (2018). Brave new world: Service robots in the frontline. Journal of Service Management, 29(5), 907-931. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-04-2018-0119
  69. Xu, S. (2019). Prioritizing relationships: The investment model and relationship maintenance strategies in organizational crises. Public Relations Review, 45(3), 101782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.05.003
  70. Yuan, L., and Dennis, A. R. (2019). Acting like humans? Anthropomorphism and consumer's willingness to pay in electronic commerce. Journal of Management Information Systems, 36(2), 450-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2019.1598691
  71. Zainol, Z. B., Yahaya, R., and Osman, J. (2018). Application of relationship investment model in predicting student engagement towards HEIs. Journal of Relationship Marketing, 17(1), 71-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332667.2018.1440143
  72. Zhang, X., De Pablos, P. O., Wang, X., Wang, W., Sun, Y., and She, J. (2014). Understanding the users' continuous adoption of 3D social virtual world in China: A comparative case study. Computers in Human Behavior, 35, 578-585. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHB.2014.02.034