Digital Self-Regulation: The Impact of Using an Online Health Application on Personal Weight Management
COM2 Level 4
Executive Classroom, COM2-04-02
Abstract:
We examined the efficacy of using an online health application (PC-based website or mobile app) for personal weight management by applying a hidden Markov model to the analysis of panel data on customers enrolled in a weight loss program that delivers services through offline and online channels. The model allows us to capture the impact of digital tracking on the dynamics of intrinsic motivations, or self-regulation states, as individuals endeavor to achieve their desired weight reduction objectives, while controlling for direct treatments and individual heterogeneity that affect weight loss. Results show that two self-regulation states (weak and strong) are optimal avenues through which to describe the dynamics in the data. The use of a mobile app is considerably more effective than the adoption of a PC channel in influencing users' self-regulation states. Individuals who do not use either type of online service fail to transition from the weak to the strong state of self-regulation. Overall, the intensive use of the mobile app increases the probability of successful weight loss by 5.2%. Relatively easy direct treatments, such as reducing caloric intake and relying on passive electronic assistance, are more effective in the weak self-regulation state, whereas strenuous interventions, such as exercise, are more helpful in the strong state. Our analysis sheds light on the role of digital tracking via an online health application in the management of a chronic condition and presents valuable practical and policy implications.
Biodata:
Hyeokkoo Eric Kwon is an Assistant Professor of Information Technology and Operations Management in Nanyang Business School at Nanyang Technological University. He received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Ph.D. in Management Engineering (Information Systems) from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). His research interests include economics of information systems, mobile analytics, healthcare IT, FinTech, and social media. He has published in Information Systems Research (ISR), and Journal of Management Information Systems (JMIS).