Disruption of Things: A Model to Facilitate Adoption of IoT-based Innovations by the Urban Poor

Abstract

This study examines the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) based innovations by urban poor communities. In recent years, IoT applications in social networking, smart cities and m-health have been explored, but the social acceptance of such applications remain largely unknown. A consumer segment on which IoT can have a major positive impact is the urban poor, where IoT can provide access to services such as healthcare, education and food security. However, to facilitate adoption among the poor, IoT-based innovations must incorporate the unique characteristics of this segment viz. low levels of technology awareness, social acceptance and consumer need. The Disruption of Things refers to the process of distribution the innovations that are based on IoT and replacing existing market leaders and prevalent systems. The study was conducted in four stages -a literature review, a survey with the target users, interviews with experts (both technological and sociological) and a usability test with a prototype technology system. The results from the surveys, interviews and usability tests were used to develop a model for adoption of IoT-based innovations by the urban poor. The model identifies five sources of innovation -nutrition, healthcare, employment, education and finances. Based on these sources, a participative design process is undertaken. Once developed the innovation must provide excellent service based on three parameters -benefits (value of using the system to the users), support provided to the users, and training/instructions given to them regarding system use. Satisfied system's users would then be leveraged through three channelsadvertising, social media and word-of-mouth, in order to spur greater adoption of the innovation among the urban poor. Accomplishing these systematic processes would enable the Disruption of Things -replacement of existing market leaders by an IoT-based innovation. Scope and BenefitsThis study aims to develop a model that facilitates the adoption of IoT-based innovations by the urban poor. IoT is a global information infrastructure that enables advanced services by interconnecting devices based on existing and evolving interoperable information and communication technologies [1]. IoT facilitates communication forms beyond the traditional human-human to human-thing and thing-thing (also referred to as M2M). Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is believed to be a foundation for IoT [2].While the original intent of IoT was to increase supply chain efficiencies for organizations [3], more recently potential IoT applications in social networking [4], smart cities [5] and m-health [6] have been explored. However, all such potential applications face a road block in the form of societal acceptance. Sanchez [7] noted that social acceptance was a major challenge in the implementation of smart cities. Coughlan [8] considered that social acceptance of IoT applications depended on a number of human factors such as sociology, psychology and human-computer interaction.

IOT Service Utilisation in Healthcare

“…The IoT is one of the smart technologies to integrate the smart devices on network. On the other hand, IoT is a global information infrastructure that enables advanced services by interconnecting devices based on existing and evolving interoperable information and communication technologies [21]. Thus, it is a collection of several opportunities that have wellness providing for the hospitals such as optimising the resources through automated workflows as well as process excellence.…”

“…Roy et al proposed a model that facilitates the adoption of IoT-based innovations in urban poor communities [21]. This model identifies five sources of innovation, Figure 9.…”

“…They assumed that the implemented system needs to provide quality service to its users and that users should experience tangible benefits and receive some training. These factors can help service providers deliver excellent services to their consumers and subsequently drive a higher consumer satisfaction [21]. This model is summarised in Figure 11 [61].…”

“…However, Manashty et al did not Figure 11. Model of IoT-based innovations for the urban poor [21]. Figure 14.…”

The Effect Factors in the Adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology in the SME in KSA: An Empirical Study

“…They found a strong support for the effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention to use the IoT. In addition, perceived ease of use found to affect perceived usefulness (Gao & Bai, 2013;Coandadiputra & Carissa, 2017 Roy et al (2016) study the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) based innovations by urban poor communities. They found the innovation must provide outstanding service based on three factors benefits as the value of using the system to the users, the users support, and training given to users regarding system use.…”