Freedom of Technology Choice: An Experimental Evaluation

With a growing number of information technology (IT) devices such as smartphones and tablets, individuals are able to choose a preferred device to fulfill private or organizational tasks. Since existing literature on technology acceptance and adoption mainly focuses on one specific technology, the availability of alternative technologies from which individuals can choose is still poorly understood. Addressing this gap, we investigate the concept of freedom of choice. Conceptually, we distinguish it from related concepts; empirically, we present the results of a laboratory experiment providing evidence that freedom of choice has a positive impact on users' cognitions, emotions, and performance in completing a task. We contribute to existing literature on technology acceptance by highlighting the role of freedom of choice in early stages of use behavior and provide empirical insights that justify the implementation of policies (e.g., Bring-Your-Own-Device policies).