Construction, Validation, and Generalization of Digital Consumption Value Scale

ABSTRACT While excessive digital consumption is considered harmful, it also provides value to users by facilitating their earning, learning, socializing, and shopping. Currently, no scale exists for measuring the value that digital users derive from digital consumption. This paper aims to develop a scale for measuring the value derived from digital consumption. The digital consumption value scale is conceptualized based on the theory of consumption values (TCV). We follow a rigorous approach to scale development with an exploratory qualitative study followed by five quantitative studies. The final scale is a 29‐item higher‐order construct with four dimensions, namely functional, social, positive, and negative emotional values. The results suggest that digital overconsumption reduces the perceived value of digital consumption. Further, digital users who draw more value from their digital consumption engage positively with work and report higher productivity. We contribute to the literature by providing a theoretically sound and rigorous scale that can be used to further research and practice. This research highlights that excessive digital consumption diminishes value and may lead to decreased engagement with work and productivity. This study draws primarily on US and UK data, and future research could explore its relevance in other countries and cultural contexts.