A Grounded Theory Approach on the Perceptions and Experiences of Active Seniors using Mobile Platforms

Purpose: In Korean society, life expectancy has increased due to the development of medical technology and the bio industry, and we are now approaching the age of 100 years. Amid these changes, seniors in their 50s or older, who have money and time to spare, have emerged as a new consumer group, and a generation that takes the lead in post-retirement life and actively participates in social activities has emerged. This study was conducted using a grounded theory approach among qualitative research methods to take an in-depth look at active seniors' perceptions and experiences of using mobile platforms. Method: This study used the grounded theory method of Strauss & Corbin (1998), and purposive sampling was used to select 9 participants. The data collected from the in-depth interviews were transcribed, and the recorded content was compared with the written content to confirm consistency. Data analysis was organized through the stages of open coding, axial cording, and selective coding, which are grounded theory analysis methods. Results: The raw data collected through in-depth interviews were divided into concepts, subcategories, categories, and paradigms and classified by type. As a result of the analysis, 89 concepts, 41 subcategories, and 20 categories were derived. The participants' perception and experience of using mobile platforms in this study were categorized into three types: Closely related to daily life, active information seeking type, and leisure activity pursuit type. Conclusion: It has been confirmed that Korea's active seniors, unlike past seniors, are socially and economically well-off, have a keen interest in academics, and are interested in active appearance management and health. Accordingly, this study exploratively confirmed the contents of active seniors' perceptions and experiences of using mobile platforms through a grounded theory approach. The results of this study specifically present opinions on changing perceptions through various utilization methods and experiences regarding the use of mobile platforms by active seniors.