With the rapid development of technology, smart car technology has be
come an important trend in the development of today's automotive industr
y. Automotive smart features such as autonomous driving, intelligent navi
gation systems, and remote fleet m...
With the rapid development of technology, smart car technology has be
come an important trend in the development of today's automotive industr
y. Automotive smart features such as autonomous driving, intelligent navi
gation systems, and remote fleet management have greatly enriched the d
riving experience and improved the safety and convenience of vehicles. H
owever, the development and application of these advanced features will i
nevitably increase the price of vehicles, which in turn affects consumers'
willingness to pay. For automobile manufacturers to develop effective mar
keting strategies in a highly competitive market and design products to m
eet market demand, it is important to understand the factors that influenc
e consumers' willingness to pay for smart car features.
Based on the SOR model, this study explores how external stimuli (e.g.,
automation) influence consumers' behavioural responses, especially willing
ness to pay, through an individual's internal processing (satisfaction). Con
sidering that consumer satisfaction can directly influence willingness to pa
y, this study also includes this variable in the analytical framework. By c
ollecting data through a survey method, this study aims to comprehensive
ly understand the multidimensional factors that influence consumers' willin
gness to pay.
Based on the SOR theory, this study aims to systematically analyse the
payment decision-making process of smart cars when using smart cars. I
n particular, this study aims to identify in detail the stimulus factors tech
nophilia, automation, ubiquity, perceived ease, responsiveness, and psycho
logical responses in the smart car payment decision-making process and
their influence on satisfaction and willingness to pay. To this end, this st
udy conducted an online questionnaire survey among people who have us
ed smart cars. A total of 325 questionnaires were collected, and after re
moving 7 unresponsive questionnaires, the final 318 questionnaires were
used for analysis. The data collected were used to verify the validity and
reliability of the measurement model through SmartPLS 3.0, and the struc
tural equation model was used to estimate the causal relationship betwee
n the constructs and to test the hypotheses and mediating effects.The res
ults of this study show that, first, technophilia, automation, ubiquity, perce
ived ease, and responsiveness have a positive effect on satisfaction, whic
h belongs to psychological responses.Second, satisfaction has a positive e
ffect on willingness to pay. Third, the mediation effect test revealed that
satisfaction mediates the relationship between technophilia, automation, ub
iquity, perceived ease of use, and responsiveness and willingness to pay.
The findings of this study have the following academic implications. First,
a theoretical framework for smart car payments based on SOR theory is
presented. Second, technophilia, automation, ubiquity, perceived ease of u
se, and responsiveness were extended and verified to satisfaction and wil
lingness to pay through human psychological responses. In terms of practi
cal implications, this study suggests the need for mobile-centred develop
ment of smart cars, and the need for priority exposure by identifying the
usage history of smart car users (purchase history, product search histor
y) and the need for continuous marketing activities to increase the freque
ncy of smart car usage.
Keywords: Smart car web services, technophilia, automation, ubiquitous, perc
eived ease, responsiveness, satisfaction, SOR, willingness to pay