Innovativeness, adaptation and continuance intention to use mHealth: an empirical investigation in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta provinces

Purpose Although mobile health care (mHealth) applications have grown in popularity, research on why users intend to use them is scarce. This study aims to explore the impact of satisfaction and its antecedents, including innovativeness, adaptation and perceived usefulness, on continuance intention (CI) towards mHealth. This research also explores the moderating effect of innovativeness on the relationship between satisfaction with mHealth and CI. Design/methodology/approach Based on the extended expectation–confirmation model and the adaptive structuration theory for individuals, this study incorporates user adaptation and innovativeness perspectives to validate a proposed research model using convenience sampling ( n = 503) and a face-to-face survey of mHealth users in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The SmartPLS4 package was used for data analysis. Findings The results reveal that the effects of user adaptation and innovativeness on CI are statistically significant and while innovativeness moderates the relationship between adaptation and CI, it has no moderating role on the satisfaction–CI link. Research limitations/implications This research broadens the adaptation and continuance literature and offers insights into the role of innovativeness in influencing CI and, particularly, the process of adaptation to mHealth. Practical implications The findings provide insights into mHealth management that managers and policymakers can focus on to advance mHealth services in developing countries. Originality/value This research broadens the adaptation and continuance literature and offers insights into the role of innovativeness in influencing CI and, particularly, the process of adaptation to mHealth. The findings provide insights into mHealth management that managers and policymakers can focus on to advance mHealth services in developing countries.