The contribution of online news attributes to its diffusion: An empirical exploration based on a proposed theoretical model for the micro-process of online news adoption/use

Authors

  • An Nguyen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v13i4.2127

Abstract

This paper develops and tests a theoretical model of the online news adoption/use process, based on expectancy-value and innovation-diffusion theories, to examine the predictive power of nine common features of online news in its potential development. Using data from a national survey of online news uses in Australia, the study finds that while some online attributes such as its immediacy and content-richness features have a strong impact on the way online news is adopted, used and integrated into daily life, its unique attributes such as customisation and interactivity still have a limited effect. Also, despite that online news attributes tend to be integrated together in online news packages and thus can be unintentionally used without motivation, there is strong evidence to suggest that each of the nine online news features is substantially used because it is consciously appreciated and evaluated.

Author Biography

An Nguyen

An Nguyen is a lecturer in journalism studies at the University of Stirling in Scotland, the UK. A former journalist from Vietnam, he has published research in the areas of online journalism practices, online news audiences, science journalism, and professionalism in journalism education. His book, The Appeal of Online News: Technical Potential, the Media's Response and the Public's Adoption (VDM Publishing) -- is due to be published in July 2008.

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Published

2008-03-23

How to Cite

Nguyen, A. (2008). The contribution of online news attributes to its diffusion: An empirical exploration based on a proposed theoretical model for the micro-process of online news adoption/use. First Monday, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v13i4.2127