Various information aspects following the emergence of music streaming applications
ISSN: 1468-4527
Article publication date: 9 October 2020
Issue publication date: 27 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This exploratory study explores usage habits in music streaming applications (MSA) and their influence on various dimensions, such as: changes in personal music management (PMM) and musical information retrieval; sense of ownership over songs being stored on MSA; and privacy concerns when using those applications. It also investigates the potential effect of demographic factors and personal musical preferences on the tested variables.
Design/methodology/approach
This is examined by using a mixed methodology that is consisted of two phases – qualitative and quantitative: The qualitative phase includes semistructured interviews with three MSA users, and the quantitative phase includes the distribution of closed-ended questionnaires among 192 users of MSA.
Findings
It seems that the musical information management methods have changed dramatically with the introduction of MSA. Also, the findings show that even though users are only moderately concerned about their privacy within MSA, they are willing to pay for premium services that will ensure privacy protection. Interestingly, personal musical preference was found to affect the belief in the potential of using MSA as part of a social activity and on the willingness to pay for premium services within them.
Originality/value
This paper represents an extension of the article by Weinberger and Bouhnik (2019). It appears to be the first academic research to investigate the issue of musical information retrieval and PMM among MSA. In addition, it is the first study that takes into account privacy-related issues among MSA users.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2020-0118
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to pay their gratitude to Danit Lidor, M.A., for her tremendous work on data collection and analysis of the qualitative phase.
Citation
Weinberger, M. and Bouhnik, D. (2021), "Various information aspects following the emergence of music streaming applications", Online Information Review, Vol. 45 No. 1, pp. 118-137. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-04-2020-0118
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited