Integrating Technology Acceptance Model with Maslow's Hierarchy Needs Theory to Investigate Smart Homes Adoption

Abstract

The rapid development of technology has led to the prevalence of smart homes as one of the most prominent intelligent devices. This research aims to identify the factors that significantly influence individuals' intention to use smart homes and provide direction for efficient product positioning and updates. Drawing from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Value-based Adoption Model (VAM), Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), and Maslow's Hierarchy Needs Theory, a comprehensive research model is introduced. The model incorporates external factors such as perceived value (PV), price perception (PP), safety perception (SP), social influence (SI), self-esteem (SE), and visual aesthetics (VA), while self-innovation (SINN) is considered a moderator with a conditional effect between perceived usefulness (PU) and PV. The research model was validated with 405 samples, and exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the results, which indicate that: 1). customers' intention to use smart homes is significantly determined by PV and VA through PU and perceived ease of use (PEOU). 2). Additionally, SINN moderates the relationship between PV and PU negatively within a specific interval. 3). SE and SI have slight effects on PU or PEOU, while PP and SP have no direct effect. These empirical results provide valuable conclusions and implications for understanding suitable smart homes for customers and finding actionable directions for smart home development.