Institutional intervention in technology innovation: the struggle to increase mobile payment adoption

Purpose Platform-driven business models have witnessed a significant proliferation in emerging economies. Such initiatives bring cost-effective services to a larger section of the population, given the reach of mobile phones. Drawing insights from the institutional theory and theories on the multisided platform, this paper aims to examine the impact of institutional intervention and platform competition on the initial adoption and continuance intention of platform-based payment services. Design/methodology/approach The research model is empirically developed through a unique single-case study covering the high-value banknote demonetization in India that was initiated in November 2016. The research is primarily based on archival data and is supported by a limited number of interviews. Findings The research finds that institutional interventions (in multiple forms) have increased people’s eagerness to use mobile payment. Supportive institutional environment and common citizen’s increased eagerness for mobile payment usage resulted in the emergence of multiple mobile payment platforms. Moreover, competition among multiple payment platforms positively impacts the continuance intention of users to use mobile payments. Originality/value The research supplements the present understanding of the technology adoption challenges. The study highlights that the relative success of technology adoption cannot be attributed only to the users’ economic or technological motives, as embodied in the adoption models. Carefully designed interventions by the institutions can reduce users’ inertia in using new technology and positively influence the emergence of multiple platform-based service providers.

Digitalization and subjective wellbeing in Europe

Purpose This study aims to analyze the effect of digitalization on 28 European countries’ subjective wellbeing by using macro (aggregate level) indicators. Design/methodology/approach The research investigates the impact of digitalization (Digital Economy and Society Index [DESI]) on life satisfaction through its components. The study uses several models based on the two-stage least squares method. Findings The findings show that internet connectivity, use of the internet and integrated digital technology are positively related to life satisfaction. Furthermore, the results revealed that human capital and digital public services are negatively associated with it. The study also suggested that digital skills, e-health, and e-government services do not necessarily increase an individual’s life satisfaction level. The internet’s use appeared to be the most effective digitalization component in affecting life satisfaction in Europe. Research limitations/implications The study is based on the DESI index from 2014 to 2019. Although it does not influence the outcome, future research may consider additional indexes such as Digital Adoption Index and Digital Transformation Index and extend the study period. Practical implications The study helps the policymakers directing their attention to the importance of digitalization on life satisfaction. Originality/value This work extends the limited understanding of subjective wellbeing, digitalization and the digital economy and society index in terms of theoretical implications.

Opportunities of and threats to consumer well-being in the age of Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) technologies

Purpose Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) technologies have strong potential to affect consumer well-being, positively or negatively, so the current paper aims to review potential opportunities and threats that these technologies represent for consumers in several core economic sectors: health care, education, financial services, manufacturing and retailing. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a conceptual framework for how IR 4.0 technologies affect consumer well-being in five representative sectors: health care, education, financial services, manufacturing and retailing. The authors argue that the potential transformations of these specific sectors, facilitated by these technologies, may have profound effects on consumer well-being, with urgent public policy implications. Findings Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, three-dimensional printing, machine learning and blockchain, provide customers with novel approaches toward decisions regarding health, education, finances and other fundamental parts of their lives. The organizations that provide these services, such as hospitals, universities and banks, actively adopt the innovations offered by IR 4.0. These evolving and disruptive technologies thus are changing reality for consumers and providers. Originality/value This paper proposes some novel public policy implications of IR 4.0 technologies for consumer well-being, and it outlines further research directions that can enhance understanding of relevant technologies and the consequences of their use for society.

Sociological traditions as a complementary lens to better understand digital transformation policies

Purpose This paper aims to introduce how sociological traditions can provide a complementary, conceptual lens needed to better understand a country’s orientation in its digital transformation policies. While historically sociology has been used to study technological effects, introducing a sociological lens that considers broader macro digital policies can better complement a country’s national innovation system framework by highlighting where forms of acceleration and inertia in digital diffusion may or may not occur. Design/methodology/approach To formulate this lens, iterative literature reviews were conducted and four major sociological traditions (i.e. Durkheim, Functional-Utilitarian, Marxist and Micro-interactionist) were identified and integrated into one structure. The integrated structure was then applied to the French case of Minitel as a sample application. The French Minitel was selected because it is well-known and due to one of the author’s familiarity with the French culture. The description was based upon secondary data. Findings Through the use and application of this lens, the findings reveal that understanding a country’s specific orientation within a sociological tradition can help academics and practitioners determine what accelerates or provides inertia in the diffusion of new digital technologies within a country’s sociological frame. For the French Minitel, two dominant views seem to exist in France, the Durkheim and the Functional-Utilitarian view, which both affected the country’s path dependency in continued investments in Minitel. Research limitations/implications While policymakers are tasked with the development and implementation of digital transformation policies, a key consideration for both scholars and practitioners on digital policy and governance is to understand the broader macro ramifications of sociological frameworks on the evolving effects of digital transformation. While the authors provide a sample illustration, future research is needed to operationalize this lens and to apply it across various regions and countries in the development of new digital transformation policies. Practical implications As countries face considerable pressure to digitize their economies, policymakers require a better framework to advance the sociological aspects of digitization and its effects upon local institutions and actors in society. The paper provides a complementary lens that can better help them in this regard. Originality/value To date, policymakers and governments lack an integrated framework to understand the sociological effects of digital technologies and their diffusions along with their implications on societies such as on the framework of national innovation. The authors provide a sample integrated structure and sample application.

Military acceptance of the Internet of Things: a research model

Purpose This study aims to examine the perception of military people regarding the use of a network of various intelligent objects, the Internet of Things (IoT), in the future battlespace. Design/methodology/approach A research model that analyzes military acceptance of the IoT is proposed. The model is created by integrating the technology acceptance model and diffusion of innovation theory. Then an empirical study is conducted through a survey, and the proposed hypotheses are tested. The findings are obtained thanks to the structural equation model (SEM), which clearly reveals the overall dependency relationship among independent and dependent variables even when a dependent variable is an independent variable in another relationship. Findings The study clearly reveals the significant factors effecting the attitude toward the use of IoT in the military. It also uncovers potential barriers to the adoption of IoT in the military domain. Especially, risk factor seems to have no significant impact on the acceptance of IoT, and also, there seems to be a positive relationship between risk and trust contrary to an expected negative relationship. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first research analyzing the acceptance of IoT in the military domain through hypotheses in a SEM.

The open-access telecommunication transmission network in the Canary Islands: an alternative proposal to the current management model?

Purpose This paper aims to study the competition problems and market failures in the Canary Islands and propose an alternative management model for the telecommunication transmission network. This model is based on a wholesale-only open-access transmission network, available to all the retail service providers of this region, and managed by a unique entity subject to regulation with cost-based prices. The proposal hopefully will help to debate about the implementation of certain regulatory models in the network industries, concerning telecommunication submarine cables connecting archipelagos. Design/methodology/approach An empirical approach has been used, based on the observation and analysis of the regulatory policies applied to the wholesale transmission networks in the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Findings Results show a persistent margin squeeze situation on the retail broadband market in the Canary Islands, due to the pricing strategy on the Spanish mainland-Canaries wholesale market, which is, in turn, delaying the entry of alternatives and the level of development and efficiency of competition. The risk of duopoly collusion is also present on this wholesale market. Additionally, public aids will be needed to replace the systems connecting with the non-capital islands and to provide redundancy to El Hierro. The alternative proposal might help preventing the above. Eventually, several insights are considered for further investigation. Originality/value Little attention has been paid to this topic in the literature, regarding the analysis of regulatory policies applied over fiber optic submarine cable infrastructures in fragmented territories like archipelagos. Consequently, an empirical analysis has been accomplished to emphasize this research work, based on the regulatory policies adopted.

Challenges of e-government implementation in health sector: a step toward validating a conceptual framework

Purpose The importance of e-government projects has been realized in the developed as well as in the developing countries of the world. The successful implementation of e-government projects is a challenging task. Public sector organizations are facing different sorts of challenges while executing e-government initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore issues/challenges related to e-government project implementation. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to understand the challenges of the e-government project, as mentioned in past research. The findings of this SLR helped in developing a proposed framework for e-government challenges. The proposed framework encompasses challenges and issues related to four main aspects such as technological, organizational, project management and enabling environment. These aspects need to be further explained for their remedial measures. For this purpose, an exploratory case study was conducted. The unit of analysis was one of the e-government projects of the ministry of IT. The interviews of the senior and middle management involved in the implementation of this project were conducted and transcribed. Findings The case study findings endorse a framework proposed. The findings of this research reflect the importance of creating a shared vision, adequate funding and good project management practices as an essential aspect of e-government implementation. Further, the importance of user-related issues such as involvement, capacity building and technical skills was also found critical in successfully executing and sustaining such initiatives in the organization. Further study findings provide necessary guidance for the senior management, which may help to develop effective strategies for the e-government projects in the organization. Originality/value The current study focused on developing a better understanding of the challenges commonly faced by organizations during e-government adoption and implementation related to organizational, project management, enabling environment and technological aspects.

Perceived effectiveness of e-governance as an underlying mechanism between good governance and public trust: a case of Indonesia

Purpose This study aims to investigate the association of perceived accountability, perceived responsiveness and perceived transparency, and public trust in local government. Additionally, mediation of the perceived effectiveness of e-governance was also tested between these relationships. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative cross-sectional field survey, primary data was collected at local administration levels from two cities in Indonesia. The final data set of 355 respondents was then analyzed using SmartPls3 and the measurement and structural models were tested. Findings Positive results were obtained for all the hypothesized links (direct and indirect relationships). The study’s findings revealed useful insights for policymakers and researchers regarding the public’s perception of good governance and their expectations from the government, which further lead toward trust in local governments. Practical implications The study concluded that good governance practices develop and enhance the public’s trust in the government, thus provided key policy directions. Originality/value This study contributes to the body of knowledge related to good governance elements and their impact on public trust in the local government via the underlying mechanism of perceived e-governance effectiveness in developing countries in general and particularly the Indonesian context. Moreover, it is a unique study in the good governance domain while considering three good governance elements into a single theoretical framework. Previous studies have explored these elements individually with public trust, so this combined framework advances the body of knowledge. This research’s findings also contributed toward validating good governance theory with e-governance effectiveness and public trust integration in a single comprehensive framework. This research also helped answer the questions arising from past literature about declining public trust trends in local governments.