Embracing Smart Industry An investigation into the relationship between technology adoption and the perceived usefulness of new Smart Industry technologies within SME manufacturing firms in the Netherlands

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2020-11-01
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en
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Due to the developments in the field of Smart Industry, manufacturers are facing new technologies that take over the industry. This research focuses on the issue of how technology adoption and perceived usefulness, as part of technology acceptance, affect each other. This matter is investigated within SME manufacturing firms in the metal industry in the Netherlands, which resulted in the following research question: “How do technology adoption and the perceived usefulness of new Smart Industry technologies affect each other within SME manufacturing firms in the Netherlands?” For technology adoption, a model by Langley & Truax (1994) is used, in which this concept is subdivided into three sub-processes: the strategic commitment process, technology choice process, and financial justification process. Perceived usefulness is part of the technology acceptance model by Davis et al. (1989) and is further operationalized by the indicators of Segars and Grover (1993): makes the job easier, makes the job more useful, and increases productivity. This is investigated qualitatively by conducting nine interviews within three SME manufacturing firms in the metal industry and by interviewing two industry experts. The results show that the relationship between technology adoption and perceived usefulness can be seen as being bidirectional. The perception and support of employees are necessary for successful technology adoption, but how technology adoption is performed, in turn, can highly influence the perceived usefulness. Management perception and employee perception turn out not to differ substantially. By aligning management vision and employee vision, the best out of Smart Industry technologies can be achieved, since every user then perceives it as useful. The feedback loop between technology adoption and perceived usefulness can become reinforcing by paying attention to four variables: creating understanding for change, involving employees in technology adoption process, educating people to work with technologies, and employee development possibilities. This research contributes to science by demonstrating the bidirectional relationship between technology adoption and perceived usefulness, and by making old and static models around this topic more dynamic. Additionally, it contributes to practice by giving insights to SME manufacturing firms in the way they can deal with the Smart Industry revolution. By paying attention to the insights of this research, future technology adoptions become more successful and organizations can improve and develop their business.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen