The Role of Perceived Quality in New Product Adoption Process in China

Abstract

This study investigate the role of consumer’s perception of quality in new technology adoption process in China which is given little attention in the field of Information System and Communication Technology. Here, we developed a simple model in the level of consumer perception by exploring the antecedent of perceived quality. Three factors are introduced as determinants of perceived quality:perceived usefulness, perceived risk and trialability. An empirical study is conducted with analysis of the adoption mechanism of a new innovative product. Data analysis results support some of our proposed hypotheses. It indicates that perceived quality is positively related to the adoption intention and fully mediates the relationship between triablility and purchase intention. And we conclude that a product’s perceived quality plays an important role in adoption intention. And what makes Chinese customers perceive product’s quality good is a trialability of a product. This suggests that when market managers plan to launch products in China, they need to craft an effective strategy based on the market system of the consumer especially understanding the consumers’ critical factor for adopting a new product. Chinese are more interested to purchase a product with free trial and free experiential period, therefore, suggesting an advertisement highlighting the trialability of a product is possible in China.