Technology Acceptance in Mechatronics (eBook)

Dr. Ute Hillmer is senior consultant and owner of Better Reality Marketing. She consults, coaches and teaches in international technology marketing and innovation management.

Acknowledgements 6
Index 7
List of Abbreviations 12
List of Figures 13
List of Tables 15
Part I: Foundation 16
1. Abstract 16
2. Introduction 18
2.1 The nature of the problem 18
2.2 Research objectives 19
2.3 Scope 19
2.4 Contribution to knowledge 20
2.5 Methodology 21
2.6 Study layout 22
3. Existing Theories Considering Technology Adoption 24
3.1 Introduction 24
3.2 Existing technology adoption models 25
3.3 Discussion of existing models 42
Comparison of Factors Used 43
Part II: Methodology 4. Methodology 44
4. Methodology 44
4.1 Introduction and chapter overview 44
4.2 Discussing this methodologies atypical approach 45
4.3 Emerging philosophy and research perspective for this interdisciplinary management research 46
4.4 Research methodology for this management research 49
4.5 Research outline 55
4.6 Confirmation of research results 63
4.7 Reflecting on chosen methodology and methods 64
Part III: Literature Review as Frame Analysis 5. Individual Perspective 66
5. Individual Perspective 66
5.1 Introduction and chapter overview 66
5.2 Understanding the origin of behaviour 67
5.3 An individual’s meaning system 73
5.4 The concept of self and identity 74
5.5 The perspective of symbolic interactionism 81
5.6 Identities: self-concepts in recurrent situations 86
5.7 A functional model of a self-system 97
5.8 Conceptualisation of an individual’s meaning system 101
6. Societal Perspective 103
6.1 Introduction and chapter overview 103
6.2 Why do social structures evolve and change 103
6.3 Social realities: an assessment of the self and technology through the centuries 105
6.4 Considerations and reflection on the relationship between society and technology 114
6.5 Information technologies changing inertia on society in the 20/ 21st century 115
Group-based vs. Network-based Societies 130
7. Organisational Perspective 132
7.1 Introduction and chapter overview 132
7.2 Organisational cultures 132
7.3 Groups within organisations 139
7.4 Career Anchors: Individual interests within Organisations 147
7.5 Discussion and consideration of the organisational perspective 150
8. A Merged Perspective 151
8.1 Introduction 151
8.2 New consciousness of a merged perspective 151
8.3 Final considerations concerning the research problem 153
Part IV: Findings 155
9. Emerging Data and Data Analysis 155
9.1 Introduction 155
9.2 Data development processes 155
9.3 The emergent coding and theoretical sampling 158
9.4 Visual interpretation aid for various technology acceptance behaviour 160
9.5 Early technology adoption and technology rejection 162
9.6 Central role-Identities vs. group-identities 163
9.7 Self-concepts concerning learning and influence 172
9.8 Emerging identity content 176
9.9 The role of age in technology adoption 186
9.10 Mechatronics 187
10. Discussion and Implications 189
10.1 Introduction 189
10.2 Discussion of early acceptance vs. technology rejection 189
10.3 Discussion of central role- vs. group-identities 190
10.4 Discussion of self-concepts of influence on the situation 194
10.5 Discussion of identity content 195
10.6 Age as a cause for identity conflicts 200
10.7 Discussion of mechatronics disciplines 202
10.8 Limitations and potential areas for future research 204
10.9 Implications relating to theory 207
10.10 Implications relating to practise 209
11. Conclusions 213
References 217
Appendix 233
A1. Determination of Meanings 233
A2. Interview Guide 240
A3. Questionnaire 244
A4. Bibliography 255