The influential factors of SMS usage among youth: an exploratory study to Western exchanging students in Asia

This research is related to investigation of the reason why youth use short message service (SMS) by conducting intensive in-depth interviews during 2008 to 2009. It found that affordability, convenience, flexibility, indirectness, recreation, and certainty are the major reasons to use SMS among Western exchanging students who study in Asia. Cultural phenomenon, like attachment, happiness, attitude, and so on, due to SMS usage is another highlight to follow. Furthermore, a conceptual model is initially introduced after summarizing the research conclusion.