Information systems artifact as a product attribute: An empirical analysis of the effects of information systems availability

Abstract

Drawing from product attribute literature, this study introduces the concept of information systems (IS) availability to elucidate the impact of IS artifacts on consumers and businesses that incorporate these artifacts as product attributes. We contend that the availability of an IS artifact can influence purchase decisions and brand satisfaction significantly. Utilizing the theory of attractive quality alongside two empirical studies, we explore the distinctive performance of IS attributes compared with traditional ones and examine the effects of IS availability on business performance. This research contributes to the IS field by introducing IS availability as a novel concept, thereby enhancing the understanding of IS use and extending existing theories.