The influence of acceptance and adoption drivers on smart home usage

Question 1

What is “Hubert, M., Blut, M., Brock, C., Zhang, R. W., Koch, V., & Riedl, R. (2019). The influence of acceptance and adoption drivers on smart home usage” about?

Answer 1

This study aims to develop a comprehensive adoption model that combines constructs from
various theories and tests these theories against each other. The study combines a technology acceptance model, innovation diffusion theory, and risk theory. It develops this model in a smart home applications context.

Question 2

What is the “Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)”?

Answer 2

o Perceived Usefulness (PU)
o Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU)
o TAM posits that PU and PEOU are critical predictors of technology adoption, suggesting that users are more likely to adopt smart home systems if they find them beneficial and easy to use.

Question 3

What is the “Innovation Diffusion Theory”?

Answer 3

IDT provides insights into how technology characteristics affect adoption, especially when users can see and experience the advantages of smart home technology firsthand.
- Compatibility
- Trialability
- Results Demonstrability & Visibility

Question 4

What is the “Perceived Risk Theory”?

Answer 4

PRT underscores that perceived risks can deter adoption, especially for technologies like smart homes that involve extensive data handling and integration with personal spaces.
- Security Risk
- Performance Risk
- Time Risk

Question 5

What is “perceived usefulness””?

Answer 5

The degree to which a consumer believes a technology will improve their daily activities or increase convenience.

Question 6

What is “perceived ease of use”?

Answer 6

The degree of effort expected to learn and use the technology.

Question 7

What is Compatibility?

Answer 7

The degree to which the technology aligns with the user’s values, lifestyle, and needs.

Question 8

What is Trialability?

Answer 8

The extent to which users can experiment with the technology before committing.

Question 9

What are Results Demonstrability (RD) and Visibility (VI)

Answer 9

How observable and communicable the technology’s benefits are to users and their social networks.

Question 10

What is Security Risk?

Answer 10

concerns about data privacy and unauthorized access to smart devices

Question 11

What is Performance Risk?

Answer 11

the risk that the tech will malfunction or fail to perform as advertised

Question 11

What is Time Risk?

Answer 11

the perceived time investment required for setup, learning, or troubleshooting

Question 11

What is the conclusion of “Hubert, M., Blut, M., Brock, C., Zhang, R. W., Koch, V., & Riedl, R. (2019). The influence of acceptance and adoption drivers on smart home usage”?

Answer 11

Hubert et al. contribute to technology acceptance literature by proposing a holistic adoption model that integrates TAM, IDT, and PRT. This approach emphasizes that while usefulness, ease of use, and compatibility drive smart home adoption, perceived risks—especially security and performance—are significant barriers. For marketers, this research highlights the importance of demonstrating security, compatibility, and trialability to foster adoption in a field where consumers remain cautious about privacy and functionality.

Question 11

What are the limitations of “Hubert, M., Blut, M., Brock, C., Zhang, R. W., Koch, V., & Riedl, R. (2019). The influence of acceptance and adoption drivers on smart home usage”?

Answer 11

• Cross-Sectional Design: A cross-sectional survey does not capture long-term changes in user perception or the impact of evolving risks (e.g., new data privacy laws).
• Cultural Context: Conducted in Germany, the study’s findings may differ in other countries with varying cultural attitudes toward technology and privacy.
• Emerging Risk Factors: Future research could explore additional risk factors, such as environmental risks related to smart devices’ energy usage

Question 11

What are the managerial implications of “Hubert, M., Blut, M., Brock, C., Zhang, R. W., Koch, V., & Riedl, R. (2019). The influence of acceptance and adoption drivers on smart home usage”?

Answer 11

1. Focus on Compatibility and Demonstrability:
   o Firms should emphasize the lifestyle fit and observability of smart home benefits. Marketing campaigns could use relatable scenarios showing how the technology aligns with common routines and enhances daily life.
2. Address Security and Performance Concerns:
   o Companies can build user trust by highlighting robust security measures, data privacy policies, and reliable performance. Certifications and independent reviews may also help reassure potential users.
3. Enhance Trialability:
   o Providing consumers with trial opportunities (e.g., demo systems, interactive online simulations) can help mitigate uncertainties about smart home technology.
4. Simplify Installation and Setup:
   o Reducing time-related barriers by simplifying installation processes and offering strong customer support can further reduce resistance.

Question 12

What is the key findings in “Hubert, M., Blut, M., Brock, C., Zhang, R. W., Koch, V., & Riedl, R. (2019). The influence of acceptance and adoption drivers on smart home usage”?

Answer 12

o PU and PEOU both significantly influence BI, confirming TAM’s applicability in predicting smart home adoption. Users who perceive the technology as useful and easy to operate show higher intentions to adopt.
o Compatibility is the strongest IDT predictor, suggesting that users are more likely to adopt smart home technology if it aligns with their lifestyle and values.
o Trialability and Result Demonstrability indirectly influence BI via PU and PEOU, reinforcing the idea that seeing and trying the technology helps users understand its utility and ease of use.
o Security and Performance Risks strongly impact Overall Perceived Risk (PR), which in turn negatively affects BI. This underscores how concerns about data privacy and functional reliability can deter smart home adoption.
o Time Risk is less significant, implying that setup or troubleshooting time alone does not substantially influence BI as long as perceived usefulness and compatibility are high.
o The integrated model shows that while TAM and IDT factors are important, risk perceptions play a critical role in adoption decisions, especially with technologies that manage personal data or control sensitive home functions.
o Risk perception’s impact on PU and PEOU indicates that users who perceive high risk are also less likely to find the technology useful or easy to use, thereby compounding its deterrent effect.