Millennials’ experiences and satisfaction with chatbots: a study of self-service technology in emerging markets

Abstract

Purpose – The study aims to explore the influence of selected precursors to self-service technology customer experience (when using chatbots) and the role of trustworthiness, control and self-service technology customer experience on self-service technology satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – The study applied an explanatory research design and data collection was secured through self-administered questionnaires from millennials who engaged with a chatbot over six months. A total of 359 responses were used for data analysis. The measurement and structural models were assessed using structural equation modelling. Findings – Perceived usefulness, perceived playfulness and perceived ease of use significantly and positively influence chatbot self-service technology experience. Moreover, trustworthiness, chatbot self-service technology experience and control significantly and positively influence self-service technology satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – The tested model validates the hypothesised relationships between perceived usefulness, perceived playfulness, perceived ease of use, self-service technology experience, trustworthiness, control and chatbot self-service technology satisfaction. As such, chatbot users’ self-service technology experiences are directly linked to their three precursors and postcedent, self-service technology satisfaction. Conclusively, self-service technology satisfaction is directly guided by users’ trustworthiness and control when engaging with chatbots.