The Social Implications of Wearable Information Technologies: Extending IT Identity Theory

Existing theories of information technology (IT) use focus on utilitarian benefits to a user but seldom capture the complex socio-emotional relationships people have with IT. Understanding how, why, and when technology users create particular identification with technology use has been critical as technology has gradually become a part of people's identity. This research examines the complex way people relate to IT by exploring how IT can be incorporated into an individual's identity. We extend a conceptual framework from IT identity (ITID) theory to explore the complex relationships people have with IT in a dynamic, social environment. This study also explores how ITID changes over time. The research questions are: What are the social implications of ITID? How do these social implications influence ITID change over time? To answer these research questions, we conducted two studies. The first is a cross-sectional survey to develops, tests, and validates a contextualized model of ITID for investigating how users' self-identification with a specific IT category-wearable fitness IT-influences their social behaviors. The second study is a longitudinal field study to test how ITID changes over time. The second study draws on the identity change literature to understand how ITID changes as a result of IT use and a feedback effect of social behaviors on user experience. This research provides theoretical contributions to the ITID literature by exploring the social implication of ITID. This study also has significant implications for user identity change, as well as long-term relationships between IT and users. In practice, the findings are expected to help bring more compelling wearable fitness IT products to market and ultimately enhance users' well-being.