Table 4. Condition–mechanism–outcome... | Emerald Publishing

Table 4.

Condition–mechanism–outcome framework of older adults’ smart tourism engagement

Condition category	Key mechanisms	Cross-condition interactions	Behavioral outcomes
User-related conditions characteristics, demand, self-efficacy	Shape internal readiness through physical and cognitive capacity, confidence and needs alignment. Define the necessity of adoption	Interact with technological and tourism-specific conditions to shape behavioral outcomes by determining ability, opportunity and necessity; social support can offset limited abilities and boost confidence; positive norms reinforce adoption, while proxy reliance or age stereotypes reduce initiative	High readiness + supportive context→ active use; readiness undermined by constraints→ limited/non-use
Technological conditions digital distance, use barriers, tech-related risks, functionality	Shape opportunities and readiness through usability, reliability and safety, while narrowing digital distance via increased acceptance and exposure frequency	Interact with user and tourism-specific conditions to shape behavioral outcomes; social support narrows digital distance, reduces risks and encourages trial, while proxy reliance, negative norms and environmental constraints amplify barriers and discourage engagement	Facilitative tech + high readiness→ active use; barriers, distrust or widened distance → limited/non-use
Tourism-specific conditions travel constraints, infrastructure, limitations	Mobility capacity and facility adequacy determine necessity and feasibility by enabling or limiting opportunities for independent digital engagement	Amplify or diminish the effects of user and technological conditions; social mechanisms – through peer influence, encouragement and resource sharing – can ease situational constraints, yet infrastructure gaps without adequate support may suppress engagement even when personal skills are sufficient	Adequate facilities + mobility → active use; constraints dominate → limited/non-use regardless of skills
Embedded social mechanisms social support, social norms, economic incentives	Moderate ability–opportunity–necessity alignment through encouragement, imitation, pressure and resource provision	Moderate all other condition interactions: support and positive norms amplify facilitators and reduce resistance; economic incentives reinforce sustained use; proxy reliance, negative norms and stereotypes weaken positive effects	Supportive norms/support → active use; proxy reliance/stereotypes → limited/non-use
Feedback mechanisms experience satisfaction	Positive experiences build confidence and promote peer diffusion; negative experiences reduce motivation and engagement	Feedback alter user readiness (confidence, skills), technology perceptions (trust, usability) and social environment (peer views), reshaping subsequent interactions	Positive feedback → sustain/expand use; negative feedback → withdraw/avoid

Condition category	Key mechanisms	Cross-condition interactions	Behavioral outcomes
User-related conditions characteristics, demand, self-efficacy	Shape internal readiness through physical and cognitive capacity, confidence and needs alignment. Define the necessity of adoption	Interact with technological and tourism-specific conditions to shape behavioral outcomes by determining ability, opportunity and necessity; social support can offset limited abilities and boost confidence; positive norms reinforce adoption, while proxy reliance or age stereotypes reduce initiative	High readiness + supportive context→ active use; readiness undermined by constraints→ limited/non-use
Technological conditions digital distance, use barriers, tech-related risks, functionality	Shape opportunities and readiness through usability, reliability and safety, while narrowing digital distance via increased acceptance and exposure frequency	Interact with user and tourism-specific conditions to shape behavioral outcomes; social support narrows digital distance, reduces risks and encourages trial, while proxy reliance, negative norms and environmental constraints amplify barriers and discourage engagement	Facilitative tech + high readiness→ active use; barriers, distrust or widened distance → limited/non-use
Tourism-specific conditions travel constraints, infrastructure, limitations	Mobility capacity and facility adequacy determine necessity and feasibility by enabling or limiting opportunities for independent digital engagement	Amplify or diminish the effects of user and technological conditions; social mechanisms – through peer influence, encouragement and resource sharing – can ease situational constraints, yet infrastructure gaps without adequate support may suppress engagement even when personal skills are sufficient	Adequate facilities + mobility → active use; constraints dominate → limited/non-use regardless of skills
Embedded social mechanisms social support, social norms, economic incentives	Moderate ability–opportunity–necessity alignment through encouragement, imitation, pressure and resource provision	Moderate all other condition interactions: support and positive norms amplify facilitators and reduce resistance; economic incentives reinforce sustained use; proxy reliance, negative norms and stereotypes weaken positive effects	Supportive norms/support → active use; proxy reliance/stereotypes → limited/non-use
Feedback mechanisms experience satisfaction	Positive experiences build confidence and promote peer diffusion; negative experiences reduce motivation and engagement	Feedback alter user readiness (confidence, skills), technology perceptions (trust, usability) and social environment (peer views), reshaping subsequent interactions	Positive feedback → sustain/expand use; negative feedback → withdraw/avoid