Unlocking the smart home: exploring key factors affecting the smart lock adoption intention

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Mamonov ◽  
Raquel Benbunan-Fich

PurposeThis study examines the factorial structure of salient user beliefs associated with smart locks. We also examine the predictive value of the identified constructs on the smart lock adoption intention and we evaluate gender differences in the predictive value of the identified constructs.Design/methodology/approachThe study assumes pragmatic epistemological stance and it leverages mixed-methods research design. The research progresses through three stages: belief elicitation, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis within a nomological network. New groups of participants were recruited for each stage of the study.FindingsWe find that while potential adopters express a broad range of perceived benefits and concerns associated with smart locks, only the perceived relative advantage of smart locks vis-à-vis conventional locks in providing safety and security is significantly correlated with adoption intention for both genders. We also find that perceived novel benefits are a significant predictor of the smart lock adoption intention for women, but not for men.Research limitations/implicationsOur results indicate that perceived relative advantage can be the singular critical consideration in the adoption of smart home technologies that replace incumbent solutions. The results also demonstrate that gender-specific models can better capture gender effects that influence technology adoption and use.Practical implicationsSmart home technology vendors would need to convince prospective users that new technology is better than the incumbent solutions on the core affordances of the incumbent technology. Men and women differ in the consideration of novel benefits afforded by novel technologies.Originality/valueThis is among the first studies to examine salient beliefs that affect smart home technology adoption. The findings suggest that the traditional models (TAM, UTAUT) do not capture the key salient beliefs that can influence innovative smart home technology adoption. The study also suggests that gendered models are needed to understand technology adoption in contexts where technology adoption intersects with gender roles.

Author(s):  
Stanislav Mamonov ◽  
Marios Koufaris

Smart thermostats represent an innovative smart home technology and a growing commercial opportunity, yet little is known about the salient factors that affect the adoption of such devices. To address this gap in research, we conduct a three-stage study that progresses through belief elicitation, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factory analysis within a nomological network. We leverage the mixed methods approach to explore the factorial structure of salient perceived benefits and concerns associated with smart thermostats, and we examine the effects of the emergent factors on the adoption intention. We discover that a novel factor, which we term techno-coolness, is the key predictor of the smart thermostat adoption intention. Techno-coolness encompasses the perceptions that a smart thermostat can make a home look modern and futuristic, be fun to use, and make the user feel technologically advanced. We also find that compatibility concerns as well as privacy concerns are significant impediments to the smart thermostat adoption intention.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghasson Shabha ◽  
Francesca Barber ◽  
Paul Laycock

PurposeThere are 29 million homes in the UK, accounting for 14% of the UK's energy consumption. This is given that UK has one of the highest water and energy demands in Europe which needs to be addressed according to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). Smart homes technology holds a current perception that it is principally used by “tech-savvy” users with larger budgets. However, smart home technology can be used to control water, heat and energy in the entire house. This paper investigates how smart home technology could be effectively utilised to aid the UK government in meeting climate change targets and to mitigate the environmental impact of a home in use towards reducing carbon emissions.Design/methodology/approachBoth primary and secondary data were sought to gain insight into the research problem. An epistemological approach to this research is to use interpretivism to analyse data gathered via a semi-structured survey. Two groups of participants were approached: (1) professionals who are deemed knowledgeable about smart home development and implementation and (2) users of smart home technology. A variety of open-ended questions were formulated, allowing participants to elaborate by exploring issues and providing detailed qualitative responses based on their experience in this area which were interpreted quantitatively for clearer analysis.FindingsWith fossil fuel reserves depleting, there is an urgency for renewable, low carbon energy sources to reduce the 5 tonnes annual carbon emissions from a UK household. This requires a multi-faceted and a multimethod approach, relying on the involvement of both the general public and the government in order to be effective. By advancing energy grids to make them more efficient and reliable, concomitant necessitates a drastic change in the way of life and philosophy of homeowners when contemplating a reduction of carbon emissions. If both parties are able to do so, the UK is more likely to reach its 2050 net-zero carbon goal. The presence of a smart meter within the household is equally pivotal. It has a positive effect of reducing the amount of carbon emissions and hence more need to be installed.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed using a larger study sample to achieve more accurate and acceptable generalisations about any future course of action. Further investigation on the specifics of smart technology within the UK household is also needed to reduce the energy consumption in order to meet net-zero carbon 2050 targets due to failures of legislation.Practical implicationsFor smart homes manufacturers and suppliers, more emphasis should be placed to enhance compatibility and interoperability of appliances and devices using different platform and creating more user's friendly manuals supported by step-by-step visual to support homeowners in the light of the wealth of knowledge base generated over the past few years. For homeowners, more emphasis should be placed on creating online knowledge management platform easily accessible which provide virtual support and technical advice to home owners to deal with any operational and technical issues or IT glitches. Developing technical design online platform for built environment professionals on incorporating smart sensors and environmentally beneficial technology during early design and construction stages towards achieving low to zero carbon homes.Originality/valueThis paper bridges a significant gap in the body of knowledge in term of its scope, theoretical validity and practical applicability, highlighting the impact of using smart home technology on the environment. It provides an insight into how the UK government could utilise smart home technology in order to reduce its carbon emission by identifying the potential link between using smart home technology and environmental sustainability in tackling and mitigating climate change. The findings can be applied to other building types and has the potential to employ aspects of smart home technology in order to manage energy and water usage including but not limited to healthcare, commercial and industrial buildings.


Facilities ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (13/14) ◽  
pp. 906-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Kwok Wai Wong ◽  
Jodith K.L. Leung

Purpose Smart-home technology (SHT) has been identified by the World Health Organization as a possible solution for assisting older people to maintain their independence and to live safely at home when performing the activities of daily living. This study aims to identify the factors, as well as their inter-relationships, influencing senior citizens to adopt elderly-friendly SHT that supports ageing-in-place in high-density Hong Kong living settings. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive structural modelling approach has been used to analyse the factors to develop a better understanding of the relationships between factors influencing SHT adoption, and “Matrice d’Impacts Croisés-Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement” analysis has been used to classify the analysed factors. Findings The results suggested that strong government support, efficient backup supporting service and the design of user interface devices have been found as the driving factors encouraging the adoption of SHT. Other factors, including the maintenance of devices, levels of usage and penetration of devices, individual needs and financial considerations, were considered as autonomous factors and are less important to the decision to adopt SHT. Originality/value This study provides useful information to policymakers and building designers on the human perspective of SHT adoption, such as the needs and requirements of older people to be considered in SHT technical design and appropriate technological solutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 346-353
Author(s):  
Naim Suleyman Tinğ ◽  
Huseyin Ozel ◽  
Lokman Celik ◽  
Enes Ganidagli ◽  
Hilal Akkamis

In this paper, the design and application of smart wheelchair and charging station for disabled citizen is realized. The first stage of the paper is to make the wheelchair used by our disabled citizens able to access smart home technology via the vehicle via touch screen. The ability of citizens with disabilities to call with direct access via touch screen is also in the wheelchair designed. Thanks to the touch screen placed on the vehicle, disabled citizens are provided with the control of smart automation to control many objects such as curtains and doors in the home. In the second part of the paper, a solar powered charging station is designed and installed in order to charge battery powered wheelchairs. In the charging station made a special card reader system and has the charger to charge the card with disabilities to actively and means are provided.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-1-277-8
Author(s):  
Michael Pilgermann ◽  
Thomas Bocklisch ◽  
Reiner Creutzburg

The aim of this paper is to describe the new concept of a Master level university course for computer science students to address the issues of IoT and Smart Home Security. This concept is well suited for professional training for interested customers and allows the creation of practical exercises. The modular structure of the course contains lectures and exercises on the following topics: 1. Introduction - IoT and Smart Home Technology and Impact 2. Homematic Technology and Smart Home Applications 3. Loxone Technology and Smart Home Applications 4. Raspberry Pi and Smart Home Applications 5. Security of IoT and Smart Home Systems and contains laboratory exercises of diverse complexities.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Sanjeev ◽  
Shahnaz Khademizadeh ◽  
Thangaraja Arumugam ◽  
D.K. Tripathi

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the role of personality in digital library systems (DLS) adoption intention among Generation Z (Gen-Z) students. The study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology-2 and the five-factor model to investigate personality’s influence on Gen-Z’s DLS adoption intention. Design/methodology/approach The study is a descriptive causal investigation based on primary data collected through a self-administered survey using pre-validated tools. The study uses structural equation modeling to investigate personality dimensions’ direct and moderating effect on the dependent, independent variables and their relation. Findings The study results indicate that personality has no significant influence on Gen-Z’s DLS adoption, suggesting the ubiquity and inevitability of technology in current times. Also, only performance expectancy had a considerable impact on DLS adoption among Gen-Z going to college – a deviation from past studies where multiple independent variables have influenced DLS adoption when examined from different technology adoption model angles. Research limitations/implications The current research is done on Gen-Z, and thus the results are ideographic to the cohort. Practical implications The results of the study can be used to effectively design and communicate technology-enabled information solutions among the Cohort. Social implications The results of the study help better understand the factors affecting the technology adoption intentions of Gen-Z. Such understanding can help in better design and implementation of technology-enabled solutions for the cohort, maximizing such system adoption and its effective and efficient utilization. Originality/value The study explores the impact of personality on DLS adoption intentions, hitherto unexplored. The research also focuses on Gen-Z – a cohort born in a technology-enabled world whose attitude and preferences towards technology might differ. The study’s findings will help understand the influence of personality on DLS adoption among the Gen-Z and can be used to design, promote and evaluate such systems.


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