Development and validation of the online flow conditions scale for shopping apps
A multidimensional item response theory approach
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21451971 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eduardo Henrique de Borba (0000-0002-0431-9145, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, corresponding author), Rafael Tezza (0000-0002-6539-4608, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina), Antoni Meseguer-Artola (0000-0002-7817-3695, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | 2292-2310 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Behaviour and Information Technology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0144-929X • E-ISSN: 1362-3001 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0144929x.2025.2578304 |
| OpenAlex | W4415603163 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 65 |
Mobile commerce is increasingly central to digital economies, yet the web design mechanisms that underpin user engagement in this context remain underexplored. Drawing on Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory, this study investigates the system-level conditions that promote the flow experience in shopping applications. While prior research has addressed flow as a cognitive-affective state, limited attention has been given to how design elements such as demand–skill balance, goal clarity, and feedback immediacy support this state in mobile retail environments. To address this gap, we developed and validated the Online Flow Conditions Scale, a standardised instrument derived from a systematic literature review and analysed using Multidimensional Item Response Theory (MIRT). The scale was applied to 200 shopping apps from Brazil and Spain. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and MIRT modelling supported a three-dimensional structure comprising 16 validated items. Findings reveal that Spanish apps score higher on the Clear Goals dimension, reflecting more structured and intuitive design, while Brazilian apps excel in Demand–Skill Balance and Immediate Feedback, emphasising responsiveness and personalisation. These results contribute to the theoretical understanding of flow in digital environments and offer actionable design insights for enhancing user experience in m-commerce applications
Development (topology) · Flow (mathematics) · Item response theory · Measure (data warehouse) · Scale (ratio) · Flow Experience in Various Fields · Mind wandering and attention · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |