Impact of desktop virtual reality on system usability : a case study of online consumer survey using a VR integrated decision support system

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Previous research has established that virtual reality (VR) technology provides users a unique user-system interaction. However, little research has been conducted to understand how VR technology contributes to system usability within specific contexts. The current research investigates how users perceive desktop VR differently from conventional 2D graphics and how system usability is affected by the user-system interaction process within a VR system. The impact of desktop VR on system usability was empirically examined from an integrated view of technology acceptance in information systems and human-computer interaction. This research tested a model of the user-system interaction process (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and presence) and outcomes measured by system usability dimensions (satisfaction and decision confidence) for a VR system. Data were collected to compare the process and outcomes of using a VR system and a conventional 2D system to engage in a consumer survey. In addition, how user characteristics affect user-system interaction while using a VR system was examined. The results largely support the proposition that VR technology provides system usability with significantly higher perceived usefulness and presence than do the conventional 2D formats. The current work provides new knowledge about usability, sense of presence and technology acceptance in desktop VR and provides insights for future research with and predicted applications of desktop VR.