Understanding the acceptance of the Internet of Things: an integrative theoretical approach

Purpose Guided by the frameworks of the technology acceptance model, uses and gratifications theory and the information systems success model, this study develops and validates an adoption model for the Internet of Things (IoT). Design/methodology/approach The measurement and research models are statistically validated via a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation modeling analysis of data collected from 262 IoT users. Findings The results indicate that the IoT is expected to deliver accurate and up-to-date information via an accessible and reliable system to enhance its usefulness and ease of use, which leads to greater adoption. The results further reveal that sufficient knowledge and adequate understanding of the IoT outweigh technology discomfort, which, in turn, have a positive effect on individuals' motivation to use the IoT. Originality/value This study distills a rich set of antecedents to build a comprehensive theory of IoT acceptance and sheds light on the adoption of future pervasive information and communications technologies.