Integrating Smartphone Talking Applications, Trust, Switching Cost and Customer Switching Behaviour in the Mobile Phone Market

Author(s):  
Ali Abdelkader

In recent years, free talking applications via smartphones and tablets have emerged. These applications are considered as a substitute service for phone calls. This study investigates the effect of providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users, from phone call to free talking applications call, in Egypt. Additionally, it investigates the impact of trust and switching cost on the strength and trend of this relationship, in order to develop a conceptual model in the mobile phone market in Egypt. Three hypotheses were tested and developed by using a sample of 353 Egyptian mobile phone users. Results found that providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) has a significant impact upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users in all communication services, except urgent calls. The strength of this relationship is increased when the trust and the switching cost (as intervening or mediating variables) are available. Recommendations are made to help mobile phone companies in Egypt prevent customers from switching to competitors.

Author(s):  
Ali Abdelkader

In recent years, free talking applications via smartphones and tablets have emerged. These applications are considered as a substitute service for phone calls. This study investigates the effect of providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users, from phone call to free talking applications call, in Egypt. Additionally, it investigates the impact of trust and switching cost on the strength and trend of this relationship, in order to develop a conceptual model in the mobile phone market in Egypt. Three hypotheses were tested and developed by using a sample of 353 Egyptian mobile phone users. Results found that providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) has a significant impact upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users in all communication services, except urgent calls. The strength of this relationship is increased when the trust and the switching cost (as intervening or mediating variables) are available. Recommendations are made to help mobile phone companies in Egypt prevent customers from switching to competitors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-74
Author(s):  
Daria Fedorchenko ◽  
Vyacheslav Didkovsky

Background: The main purpose of study was to assess the impact of using mobile phones among young Ukrainians (age 17-25) on auditory system. We conducted a study using anonymous questionnaires and with using a method of objective audiometry (otoacoustic emission). Finally, we compared our results with results of studies which were conducted in Sweden and Finland. Those studies were first among all the others with assessment of association between amount of mobile phone use and frequency of headache, tinnitus or hearing loss at 4-year follow-up. Methods: The participants were chosen among volunteers (n=251). All of them received anonymous questionnaires. We made stratified sample by age, sex, type of phone used, duration of phone calls, using of headphones during calls, symptoms appearing after using cell phone (headache, tinnitus, hearing loss). Results: The age of respondents was 17-25 years (32,3% - 22 years, 13,1% - 19 years, 12,4% - 20 years, 10,8% - 23 years., 8,4% - 21 years., 8% - 18 years, 7,6% - 17 years, 2,8% - 24р., 2,8% - 25 years). Due to this data the median age of participants was 22 years. Sex: female – 74.3%, male – 25.7%. Most of participants were using mobile phones (99.2%). 51.8% of respondents were always using headphones during phone calls, 8.8% - never used headphones during phone calls, 39,4% - were rarely using headphones during phone calls.  We assess the association between mobile phone use and appearing symptoms after phone calls. 3.6% of respondents reported a headache after phone calls, 96.4% were free of this symptom after phone calls. 58.2% reported headache at least once a week, 41.8% - were free of this symptom. 42.2% of respondents reported tinnitus: 1.6% reported tinnitus every day, 4.8% once in 2-3 days, 35.9% reported this symptom rarely (less than once a week). 57.8% of respondents were free of tinnitus. 21.5% of respondents reported hearing loss, 78.5% were free of hearing loss. Most of respondents associate headache with fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, weather change, sleep disorders, arterial hypertension, hunger, frequent phone calls. Respondents who complained of hearing loss were offered to pass objective audiometry (optoacoustic emission).6 respondents took part in this examination. In 85 ears of respondents (71%) who complained of hearing loss it occurs on 8000 Hz. In 95 ears of respondents (79%) who complained of hearing loss it occurs on 5714 Hz. Pearson correlation coefficient between our results and results of Northern Europe studies was 0.935, suggesting a strong linear association.


2020 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Mitali Shah ◽  
Jennifer Douglas ◽  
Ryan Carey ◽  
Manvav Daftari ◽  
Teresa Smink ◽  
...  

Objective: Evaluate the impact of a patient phone calls and virtual wound checks within 72 hours of discharge on reducing emergency room (ER) visits and readmissions. Methods: Single arm trial with comparison to historical control data of patients undergoing multi subsite head and neck cancer operations or laryngectomy between July 2017 and June 2018 at a tertiary academic medical center. Patients were contacted within 72 hours of hospital discharge. As a supplement to the call, patients were given the opportunity to video conference with and/or send pictures to the provider with additional questions via a designated wound care phone. Results: Ninety-one patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 83 (91.2%) were contacted. Six patients (7%) were readmitted, of whom three had not been able to be reached. The patients who had been unable to be contacted were readmitted for dysphagia (2), and a urinary tract infection (1). The contacted patients were advised to go the ER during the call for concerns for postoperative bleeding (2) and gastrointestinal bleeding (1). Twenty-five patients (30%) utilized the wound care phone. 18 patients (21.7%) reported that the phone call survey prevented them from going to the ER. When compared to the prior year, there was as statistically significant decrease in ER visits ( P < .05), and no change in readmissions. Conclusions: Implementation of a phone call in the early postoperative period has the potential to decrease unnecessary ER visits and enhance patient satisfaction. This may decrease strain on the health care system and improve patient care. Level of Evidence: 4


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Arsene Florent Hobabagabo ◽  
Rex Wong ◽  
Soha El-Halabi ◽  
Edison Rwagasore ◽  
Simon-Pierre Niyonsenga ◽  
...  

Effective management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) requires that people living with the condition attend regular clinical visits. The Rwanda Diabetes Association (RDA) asks young T1DM patients to attend quarterly outreach visits, and prior to the visits, RDA issues reminders via local radio stations. However, adherence in attending clinical appointments has remained low.Since Rwanda has a high mobile phone penetration rate, a pilot intervention study was conducted exploring the use of mobile phone call reminders and Short Message Service (SMS) messages to increase T1DM patients’ attendance of RDA’s quarterly outreach visits. The control group was exposed to only the regular radio broadcast, while the intervention group received reminder phone calls or SMS messages 72 hours prior to their appointments in addition to the regular radio broadcast.The attendance rate was significantly different between the 14 control patients and 35 intervention patients, with 23.3% (3/14) and 76.7% (27/35) attending visits, respectively (P=0.048). The results suggest that using mHealth methods (phone call/SMS reminders) can be effective in improving health outcomes, improving the adherence of T1DM patients to follow-up visits with minimal added cost. The total cost was 0.37 USD per person, compared to potential 672.40 USD for each lost treatment, indicating the intervention is cost-effective in that it minimizes loss to follow up in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility of scaling up the pilot project and to understand whether improved attendance is sustained long-term.


Author(s):  
N. C. Onyeagwara ◽  
A. L. Okhakhu

Aims: Mobile/cell phone use has become an important socio-medical means of communication. The reason people use a particular ear to answer phone calls more frequently may be associated with hemispheric dominance/ handedness. We aim to determine association between hemispheric and or auditory dominance in laterality in mobile phone use.    Study Design:  This was a three month prospective cross-sectional study involving all consenting medical and paramedical respondents. Place and Duration of Study: Hospital community in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City , between 15th March to 15th June 2018. Method: A modification of the Edinburgh handedness inventory (EHI) was the survey tool. Information retrieved included social demographics, hand most commonly used for activities like writing and picking of phone calls and ear used for phone conversation and the reasons. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19.0 Results: Of the 300 questionnaires distributed, 234 (78%) were completed by the respondents. There were 120(51.3%) males and114 (48.7%) females.  Age ranged from 18 - 80years. A total of 201(85.9%) were right handed, 16(6.8%) left handed and 14(6.0%) ambidextrous. One hundred and fifty four (66%) routinely use their right hand to pick phone calls, 50(21.4%) left and 27 (11.5%) use both hands. A total of 141(60%) receive calls with the right ear, 60 (25.6%) with left, and 31(13.2%) had no preference.  Reasons advanced for the use of any particular ear included convenience 173 (73.9%), and better acuity 35(15%). Forty two (17.9%) agreed that the use of cell phone made them aware of their poor hearing in a particular ear. Using Pearson’s two tailed test of significance the probability of a right hander using the right hand to pick a phone call and placing it on the right ear is 0.99 or 99%, Vis a Vis left hander. Conclusion: There appears to be an association between hemispheric dominance and laterality when using the mobile phone.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manisha Shrestha ◽  
Gopal Bhandari ◽  
Suresh Kumar Rathi ◽  
Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti ◽  
Binod Pandey ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The follow up of pediatric patients ensures regular ocular morbidity monitoring and better treatment outcome. Bharatpur Eye Hospital (BEH) noticed that the follow up rates were low among its pediatric patients. There are several factors including lack of awareness and forgetfulness among patients may contribute in less number of follow ups. Therefore, BEH decided to find if counselling and reminders through Short Message Service (SMS) and phone calls would improve the follow up rates. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the impact of interventions like counselling and reminder SMS and phone call in improving the follow up rate of pediatric patients. METHODS This is a public health intervention study, being conducted using the mixed method. Herein all children (0-16 years) with ocular conditions requiring at least 3 follow ups in the study period will be included. Two hundred and sixty four participants will be distributed to three groups: routine standard care, counseling and reminders with SMS and phone calls. In counseling, patients will take part in 20 minute counseling session with trained counselor in each visit and information leaflets will be provided to them. In reminder SMS and phone call group, patients will receive a SMS prior to 3 days and phone call one day prior to their scheduled visits. Patient attending within ± 2days of the scheduled date will be considered compliant to follow up. The proportion of patients completing all the follow ups in each group will be assessed. Informed consent will be taken from parent and child. Univariate and multivariate analysis will be conducted. The qualitative analysis about the barriers for follow up like educational status of the parent, distance and cost for travel will be done. RESULTS The ethical approval has been obtained from Ethical Review Board of Nepal Health Research Council (ERB protocol registration number 761/2020 P). Due to COVID-19 pandemic, as of June 2021, we have been able to enroll 112 participants (40% of the sample size). CONCLUSIONS This study will reliably document not only the factors associated with follow up rate through intervention package (counseling and reminders through SMS and phone calls) but also cost effectiveness of the intervention package, which can be applied in all the departments of the hospital. CLINICALTRIAL The protocol has also been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT04837534) on April 08, 2021


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mahzari

Much work of studying opening conversations has been conducted on landline telephone calls; whereas, mobile phone conversations have received less attention by researchers despite of the dominance of using mobile phone in our social life. Informed by conversation analysis (CA) approach, this study aims to identify the opening sequences and ritual expressions of informal mobile phone conversations among Saudi friends and relatives. Another goal is that to identify whether the opening sequences of mobile phone are similar or different from the landline telephone. The study will answer the following questions: what are the opening sequences and ritual expressions of mobile phone? And what are the similarities and differences between mobile phone and landline telephone in terms of the opening sequences. Thirty audio-recorded and transcribed mobile phone conversations served as the data source for this study. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by using the CA approach. Findings showed that the majority of opening sequences of mobile phone calls were reduced to three sequences: summons answer, greeting exchanges, and how-are-you exchanges due the impact of caller ID. In addition, the sequence of identification/recognition can be found when the caller does not know the callee or the number is silent. Therefore, mobile phone and landline telephone have similarities and differences in the opening sequences in general. However, the differences observed can be a reason of the cultural practices for language use more than the effect of medium used in communication such as landline telephone and mobile phone in Saudi Arabic. Finally, more data are needed to investigate gender differences.


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