Technology Acceptance in Mechatronics: The Influence of Identity on Technology Acceptance

269 Pages·2009·2.57 MB·English

by  Ute Hillmer (auth.)

Ute Hillmer
Technology Acceptance in Mechatronics
GABLER RESEARCH
Ute Hillmer

Technology Acceptance
in Mechatronics
The Influence of Identity
on Technology Acceptance
RESEARCH
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detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.
Dissertation University of East London, Business School, 2009
1st Edition 2009
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Acknowledgements V
Acknowledgements
This dissertation is the result of five years of research and twenty years of
practical experience. It was a journey through areas of existing, often untypical
knowledge domains in order to investigate and interpret patterns of experience,
gathered through many years as a practitioner. During this journey, I expanded
my understanding and consciousness considerably regarding the variety of
perspectives available. As a result, there appears to be a more open, new
understanding, not only in the context of technology adoption, but in
understanding human behaviour.
I would like to thank numerous ‘travelling companions‘ from research and
practice. In numerous discussions, they helped me stay in touch with reality. They
opened doors, and gave stimulating and helpful suggestions: Henry Blum, Prof.
Dr. Kazem Chaharbaghi, Dr. Sandy Cripps, Jürgen Häberle, Reinhard
Hamburger, Dr. Marco Litto, Prof. Dr. Paul Privateer, Dr. Thomas Roser, Volker
Schiek. Special thanks also to the designers and managers, who participated in
this research. I am grateful that they supported this study by giving me access to
their thoughts and feelings.
Journeys are exciting and inspiring, but at times, they can be very tiresome and
exhausting. It is during these journeys that the love and understanding of family
and close friends are priceless. My love to my kids Franka and Ben for blessing
my life and who in the cause of this time learned that a doctor is not necessarily a
physician, to my husband Roland for his understanding patience and my parents
Hilde and Günter for their ongoing support.

Dr. Ute Hillmer
Index VII
Index
Acknowledgements V
Index VII
List of Abbreviations XIII
List of Figures XV
List of Tables XVII
Part I: Foundation 1
1. Abstract 1
2. Introduction 3
2.1 The nature of the problem 3
2.2 Research objectives 4
2.3 Scope 4
2.4 Contribution to knowledge 5
2.5 Methodology 6
2.6 Study layout 7
3. Existing Theories Considering Technology Adoption 9
3.1 Introduction 9
3.2 Existing technology adoption models 10
3.2.1 Diffusion theories 10
3.2.2 Decision making theories 15
3.2.3 User acceptance theories 17
3.2.4 Personality theories 23
3.2.5 Organisational structure theories 24
3.3 Discussion of existing models 27
Part II: Methodology 29
4. Methodology 29
4.1 Introduction and chapter overview 29
4.2 Discussing this methodologies atypical approach 30
4.2.1 Research paradigms 31
4.3 Emerging philosophy and research perspective for this interdisciplinary
management research 31
4.3.1 Structured symbolic interactionism 32
4.4 Research methodology for this management research 34
4.4.1 Literature review as frame analysis 34
4.4.2 Methodology for the field research 35
4.5 Research outline 40
4.5.1 Step 1: Literature review as frame analysis 41
4.5.2 Step 2: Field data development: Grounded theory combined
with action research 42
4.5.3 Data development for the field research 46
VIII Index
4.6 Confirmation of research results 48
4.7 Reflecting on chosen methodology and methods 49
Part III: Literature Review As Frame Analysis 51
5. Individual Perspective 51
5.1 Introduction and chapter overview 51
5.2 Understanding the origin of behaviour 52
5.2.1 Introduction 52
5.2.2 Selected perspectives on the origin of behaviour 53
5.3 An individual’s meaning system 58
5.4 The concept of self and identity 59
5.4.1 The breath of meaning inherent in self and identity 59
5.4.2 Conceptualising the self 60
5.4.3 History of self and a selection of classic concepts 61
5.5 The perspective of symbolic interactionism 66
5.5.1 Structured symbolic interactionism 67
5.5.2 Processes of a self-system 68
5.6 Identities: self-concepts in recurrent situations 71
5.6.1 Introduction to identity 71
5.6.2 Types of Identities 72
5.6.3 Social identities 72
5.6.4 An argument for a combined perspective on group- and role-identity 74
5.6.5 Personal identity 79
5.6.6 Reflection on identity concepts: A merged perspective 81
5.7 A functional model of a self-system 82
5.7.1 A cognitive-affective processing system (CAPS) 83
5.8 Conceptualisation of an individual’s meaning system 86
5.8.1 The self-system as part of a cognitive-affective meaning system 86
6. Societal Perspective 89
6.1 Introduction and chapter overview 89
6.2 Why do social structures evolve and change 89
6.3 Social realities: an assessment of the self and technology through the
centuries 91
6.3.1 Stable, strongly stratified societies 92
6.3.2 Renaissance and enlightenment 93
6.3.3 The break of modernity and technical instrumentalism 94
6.3.4 The 20th century – high modernity 95
6.3.5 The late 20th and early 21st century’s social realities and
views on technology 98
6.4 Considerations and reflection on the relationship between society
and technology 100
6.5 Information technologies changing inertia on society in the
20/21st century 101
6.5.1 The relationship between society and technology 102
6.5.2 The new quality of technology 103
6.5.3 New spatial and temporal meaning 103
Index IX
6.5.4 Knowledge 104
6.5.5 Power 106
6.5.6 Technology, economy and work 107
6.5.7 The emerging of a network culture 113
6.5.8 Reflecting on socio-technical changes of the 21st century 114
7. Organisational Perspective 119
7.1 Introduction and chapter overview 119
7.2 Organisational cultures 119
7.2.1 Definition of an organisation 120
7.2.2 Formal organisations 120
7.2.3 Definition of organisational culture 120
7.2.4 The development of organisational cultures 120
7.2.5 Categories for organisational cultures 122
7.2.6 Interpretation structure for organisational cultures 123
7.3 Groups within organisations 126
7.3.1 Characteristics of groups 126
7.3.2 Types of groups in organisations 126
7.3.3 Professional cultures 127
7.3.4 Academic disciplines 130
7.3.5 Discussion of the categories of disciplines 132
7.3.6 Discussion and consideration of groups within organisations 133
7.4 Career Anchors: Individual interests within Organisations 134
7.4.1 Technical/Functional competence 134
7.4.2 General Managerial competence 135
7.4.3 Autonomy/Independence 135
7.4.4 Security/Stability 135
7.4.5 Entrepreneurial Creativity 135
7.4.6 Service/Dedication to a cause 135
7.4.7 Pure Challenge 136
7.4.8 Lifestyle 136
7.4.9 A critical assessment 136
7.4.10 Consideration 137
7.5 Discussion and consideration of the organisational perspective 137
8. A Merged Perspective 139
8.1 Introduction 139
8.2 New consciousness of a merged perspective 139
8.2.1 Individual perspective 139
8.2.2 Social Perspective 140
8.2.3 Organisational perspective 140
8.3 Final considerations concerning the research problem 141
X Index
Part IV: Findings 143
9. Emerging Data and Data Analysis 143
9.1 Introduction 143
9.2 Data development processes 143
9.2.1 Gaining access 143
9.2.2 Data development through the questionnaire 144
9.2.3 Data development through face-to-face semi-structured interviews 144
9.3 The emergent coding and theoretical sampling 146
9.4 Visual interpretation aid for various technology acceptance behaviour 148
9.4.1 Different sections in the technology adoption curve 148
9.5 Early technology adoption and technology rejection 150
9.6 Central role-Identities vs. group-identities 151
9.6.1 Central role-identities 151
9.6.2 Central formal and informal group-identities 152
9.6.3 Central role-identities along with central group identities 154
9.6.4 Triangulation of group- vs. role-identify 155
9.6.5 Company culture and group identity 169
9.7 Self-concepts concerning learning and influence 160
9.7.1 Learning style 160
9.7.2 Having influence on the external situation 161
9.7.3 Involvement in the decision making process 164
9.8 Emerging identity content 164
9.8.1 Identity rooted in technical competence 165
9.8.2 Identity rooted in managerial competence 168
9.8.3 Identity rooted in technical or managerial challenge 168
9.8.4 Identity rooted in security and stability 170
9.8.5 Multi-identity rooted in a balanced life 173
9.9 The role of age in technology adoption 174
9.10 Mechatronics 175
10. Discussion and Implications 177
10.1 Introduction 177
10.2 Discussion of early acceptance vs. technology rejection 177
10.3 Discussion of central role- vs. group-identities 178
10.3.1 Emerging theory concerning role- vs. group-identities and
individualistic vs. conforming behaviour 181
10.4 Discussion of self-concepts of influence on the situation 182
10.4.1 Curiosity and ability to learn 182
10.4.2 Influence on external situation 182
10.4.3 A discrepancy between self-concept and situation 182
10.5 Discussion of identity content 183
10.5.1 Identity rooted in technical competence 183
10.5.2 Identity rooted in managerial competence 183
10.5.3 Identity rooted in technical or managerial challenge 184
10.5.4 Identity rooted in security and stability 185
10.5.5 Multi-identity of work-life balance 185
10.5.6 A typology of the identity content in mechatronics machine design 186
Index XI
10.6 Age as a cause for identity conflicts 188
10.7 Discussion of mechatronics disciplines 190
10.7.1 Technology enabled work-process changes 190
10.8 Limitations and potential areas for future research 192
10.8.1 Limitations of the research design 192
10.8.2 Unsatisfying research approaches 193
10.8.3 Recommendations for future research 194
10.8.4 Validity vs. inherent bias in this research 195
10.9 Implications relating to theory 195
10.9.1 Contribution to technology acceptance and adoption theory 196
10.10 Implications relating to practise 197
11. Conclusions 201
References 205
Appendix 221
A 1. Determination of Meanings 221
A 2. Interview Guide (translated English version) 229
A 3. Questionnaire (translated English version) 233
A 4. Bibliography 245