Factors influencing the elderly’s behavioural intention to use smart home technologies in Saudi Arabia

Perceived usefulness of Internet of Things (IOT) in the quality of life of special needs and elderly individuals in Saudi Arabia

Smart home technologies (the Internet of Things [IoT]) are increasingly being implemented in human life, and a growing body of evidence demonstrates their usefulness for people with disabilities and elderly people. To fully benefit from their use, these individuals must know the different existing tools and their potential and be trained and motivated to use them. The current study aims to evaluate the factors that promote the use of smart home technologies (IoT) in people's lives. Data were gathered from 130 Saudi individuals via a survey questionnaire. Mean, standard deviation, and MANOVA were calculated. According to the results, the participants showed a moderate perception toward IoT technologies, with a mean score of (M = 2.06 and SD = 0.328). Moreover, no statistically significant differences were found in the perceived usefulness of the IoT and its dimensions (usage, skills, obstacles, and inclusion) among participants, based on gender, education level, category, experience, and devices used. While elder participants demonstrated higher perceived usefulness and perceived obstacles than the younger participants, as evidenced by the statistically significant differences in the results (MS = 0.432, F = 4.197, Sig0.017 < 0.05; MS = 0.545, F = 4.615, Sig0.012 < 0.05), the usage, skills, and inclusion dimensions showed no significant differences by participants' ages (MS = 1.080, F = 3.035, Sig0.052 > 0.05; MS = 0.584, F = 2.882, Sig0.060 > 0.05; MS = 0.255, F = 1.939, Sig0.148 > 0.05, respectively). The results support the relevance of providing knowledge and enhancing skills, thereby fostering a positive perception of IoT technologies. This study is one of the few addressing IoT technologies in special needs settings in the Middle East region. It has the potential to support evidence that IoT technologies are especially significant for people with special needs and elderly individuals.

Factors, Barriers, and Recommendations Related to Mobile Health Acceptance among the Elderly in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study

The use of mobile health (mHealth) is providing value to the elderly, but their acceptance of it is lower than in other age groups. Thus, this study aims to explore the factors influencing their intention to use mHealth and identify barriers and suggested solutions among elderly people aged 50+ years in Saudi Arabia, guided by the Healthcare Technology Acceptance Model (H-TAM). In this qualitative study, 14 elderly people (six females and eight males) were recruited. Participants were included if they were Saudi, aged 50+ years, and used smartphones. Participants were engaged in semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Peer review was conducted and saturation was reached to maintain rigor. Three major themes emerged: (1) factors affecting intention to use, (2) concerns and barriers, and (3) solutions and recommendations. Influenced factors were identified as perceived usefulness, perceived need, perceived ease of use, perceived benefits, familiarity, trust in technology, advice acceptance, facilitating conditions (family support), and compatibility. Older participants, particularly those with lower educational attainment, displayed less familiarity with mHealth. Lack of digital literacy, health and aging issues, worry about making mistakes, and social issues emerged as central barriers. Addressing these factors in the design and promotion of mHealth can enhance its successful adoption among the elderly.

Analysis of Driving Factors in the Intention to Use the Virtual Nursing Home for the Elderly: A Modified UTAUT Model in the Chinese Context

As a unique form of mobile health service (m-Health) for elderly care in China, the virtual nursing home is considered a reliable alternative to the traditional model of home-based care, but services from virtual nursing homes are infrequently used by the elderly in practice. Thus, this study aims to measure the driving factors affecting the behavioral intention to use the virtual nursing home by designing a research framework that combined the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with the technology acceptance model (TAM). Furthermore, a new variable, conformist mentality, is proposed as a moderator. In order to validate the model, a well-structured questionnaire using mature scales was used, and the linear regression analysis method was conducted on 200 valid data samples collected during a field study in Harbin, China. The results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence significantly affect behavioral intention. However, the effect of facilitating conditions is not significant. Moreover, performance expectancy and effort expectancy have a positive effect on attitude toward use, and attitude toward use not only affects behavioral intention but also plays a mediating role in the effect of performance expectancy and effort expectancy on behavioral intention. This study also innovatively proposes and confirms conformist mentality as a moderator to strengthen the driving effect of social influence on behavioral intention. This is the first time that conformist mentality is introduced as a moderator in a study on the behavioral perception and acceptance of virtual nursing homes among Chinese older adults. Based on these findings, this study offers theoretical contributions and management implications that are conducive to the sustainable development of virtual nursing homes, thereby making extensive contributions to this field. Additionally, it also aids in the contextual expansion of the UTAUT model.

Adopting e-government to monitor public infrastructure projects execution in Nigeria: The public perspective

Public infrastructure projects (PIPs) are critical to the socioeconomic development of any country and similar to most public activities, their governance requires effective public participation to be successful. Information and communication technology adoption in government-public engagements (i.e., e-government) has improved public participation in governance in developed countries. This study utilizes the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to investigate determining factors for the Nigerian public to adopt e-government tools to promote public participation in monitoring PIPs execution. It adopts questionnaire survey and structural equation modelling techniques to show that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, and effort expectancy significantly and positively affect behavioral intention to adopt e-government tools to monitor PIPs execution in Nigeria. This study provides scholars with an exploratory baseline for extension of e-government adoption to public infrastructure project management. This study also provides recommendations to policy makers, government technocrats, and project engineers on the need for policy changes, creation of interactive and up-to-date project websites for PIPs in Nigeria.

A study on community older people's willingness to use smart home-an extended technology acceptance model with intergenerational relationships

Introduction

Despite the potential of smart home technology to promote sustainable lifestyles, the adoption rate among older adults remains relatively low. This study aims to investigate the influence of intergenerational relationships on the acceptance of smart home services among seniors.

Methods

A survey was conducted among 298 older adults in China, and data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Ten predictor variables were examined to assess their impact on the willingness to use smart home services.

Results

Intergenerational relationships significantly influenced the utilization of smart home services among older adults. Specifically, intergenerational instrumental support had a direct positive effect on the behavioral intention to use smart homes. Additionally, intergenerational emotional and financial support affected life satisfaction, which subsequently influenced the behavioral intention to use smart homes.

Discussion

The assistance and guidance provided by younger generations play a crucial role in shaping the willingness of older adults to adopt smart home technology. Intergenerational support can contribute positively to enabling aging individuals to age in place through the utilization of technology.