Regressive Discontinuance Intention: Scale Development and Validation

Of late, research in the area of Discontinuance Intention (DI) is slowly gaining momentum. Notwithstanding such renewed interest, the DI construct seems to have been vaguely defined leaving ample scope for further elaboration. Lately, researchers have defined DI not simply being the opposite of Continuance Intention (CI). They argue that these two constructs are not polar opposites but may continue to remain at the same time in an individual. Also, systematic literature reviews in the area of DI have suggested that discontinuance can be of various types and forms and having one uniform scale may not be adequate. DI applies to a broad range of domains covering all hedonic and utilitarian consumption and has different forms and facets. Stating this reasoning and logic, researchers have pointed out the necessity to revisit the construct from wider perspectives. Unfortunately, not much attention has been given towards this line of thinking. Hence, a comprehensive definition of the construct and its various forms to conceptualize it afresh now becomes pertinent from the process, context, and content perspectives. With a conceptual review of 58 papers published during 2001 and 2021 in the areas of CI and DI, the present study aims to first do a literature review of discontinuance intention. Second, it aims to develop a scale for regressive DI among the five forms of Information System (IS) discontinuance, namely, i) rejection, ii) regressive discontinuance, iii) Quitting, iv) Temporary discontinuance and v) Replacement as coined by (Soliman & Rinta-Kahila, 2020). The current study while doing a conceptual review of the DI construct aims to provide a holistic perspective and draws on the imperative to consider ‘intention’ more than the actual ‘act’/’action’. Finally, it aims to develop a reliable and valid scale for regressive DI which is expected to be the final outcome of the research study. Among the five forms of IS discontinuance, regressive discontinuance intention suggests an intention to discontinue after accepting it initially. This is yet to be empirically validated by making use of a reliable scale. From purely an intention perspective, it may be even more important to focus on regressive discontinuance compared to rejection or replacement intentions as this covers the apprehensions about product or service after its initial use or adoption. Once the scale is developed, further research can be conducted to identify the predictors. The reasons for such apprehensions or concerns can be identified and timely measures can be taken by practitioners such that they don’t result in replacement. This study aims to fill the void in the literature by developing a robust measure for the regressive discontinuance intention, a form of DI that is prevalent and could be of bigger concern to practitioners and academicians alike. Mixed-method design of data collection involving item generation, scale purification and its final validation by employing interview, content evaluation panel, pilot test will be carried out. Different forms of validity such as face validity, content validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity and reliability of the instrument.