Forecasting customer switching intention in mobile service: An exploratory study of predictive factors in mobile number portability

Abstract

This study investigates switching barriers under the mobile number portability (MNP) in the U.S. mobile market. The structural equation modeling analysis is used to evaluate the causal model, and confirmatory factor analysis is performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model. The logistic regression is used to investigate the effect of demographics on switching decision. The findings indicate that customer satisfactions, switching barriers, and demographics significantly affect subscribers' intent to switch. Among them, switching barriers had the most significant influence, which raises a question of the effectiveness of MNP. The MNP in the U.S. mobile market is intended to play an important role in lowering switching costs which can increase the level competition among providers. The findings, however, imply that subscribers still perceive switching barrier high, discouraging them from switching carriers. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.