The Adoption, Use and Diffusion of Smartphones among Adults over Fifty in the UK

489 Pages·2015·11.2 MB·English

by  Sutee Pheeraphuttharangkoon

The Adoption, Use and Diffusion of
Smartphones among Adults over Fifty in
the UK

A Thesis Submitted to the University of Hertfordshire in
Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

By Sutee Pheeraphuttharangkoon

Management, Leadership and Organisation
Business School
University of Hertfordshire

June 2015
Abstract
Smartphones are innovations that currently provide immense benefits and convenience to users
in society. However, not all the users of society are accepting and using smart phones, more
specifically, for this research study older adults (50+) are a demographic group displaying such
an attitude. Currently, there is minimal knowledge of the reasons that older adults adopt and use
smartphones. Bearing this in mind, this research study aimed to identify, examine and explain the
adoption and usage of smartphones in the UK within the 50 years old and above population. For
this purpose, a conceptual framework, a Model of Smartphone Adoption (MOSA) was formed
drawing factors from the theories of Unified theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
(UTAUT), the Diffusion of Innovations theory (DoI) and Technology Acceptance Model 3
(TAM3). Seven variables from the theories were brought to consideration, which were
Observability, Social influence, Compatibility, Effort expectancy, Facilitation conditions,
Performance expectancy and Perceived enjoyment.
For the research method, a quantitative approach was selected to examine and apply MOSA that
involved the data collection method of an online questionnaire survey that resulted in 204
completed replies during the pilot phase of this research and 984 in the final phase. The collected
data was analysed using SEM-PLS where the results found that six of the eight formed
hypotheses were supported, and the factors of Compatibility, Effort expectancy, Facilitation
condition, Performance expectancy and Perceived enjoyment were important for the adoption of
smartphones. From these results, it was understood that older adults used smartphones because
they have enough knowledge, time and money to use. They also think that smartphones are easy
to use, provide benefits including enjoyment and are compatible with their lifestyles. In terms of
usage, older adults frequently used the basic features of smartphones such as making a phone
call, SMS, email, and browsing. Older adults are also likely to use their devices for seeking
information about their health and for appointments with their doctors; however, from this
research it was found that more than half of the 50 years old and above adults did not use
smartphones for health and well-being purposes.
The contributions of this research are viewed to be the identification and understanding of the
factors that encourage or inhibit smartphones use within the older adult population. Secondly,
this research can inform smartphone manufacturers and developers of factors pertinent for the
design of computing devices and applications specific to silver surfers. Finally, this research can
enlighten policy makers when forming decisions that encourage the adoption and use of
smartphones within the older adult population. Regarding limitations, these existed in the form
of finance and time. To overcome the limitations, this research recommends further studies that
apply qualitative research and/or to provide a comparison between western and eastern countries.
Keywords: Smartphones, Mobile phones, Adoption, Usage, Diffusion, Silver-surfers, Older
adults, UK.
Sutee Pheeraphuttharangkoon (2015)
Dedication

I Dedicate This Thesis to My Parents,
Mr. Krailak and Mrs. Somsuk Pheeraphuttharangkoon, and
My Sister, Miss Nuttaporn Pheeraphuttharangkoon

Thank you.

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Sutee Pheeraphuttharangkoon (2015)
Acknowledgements
This thesis has been one of the most difficult tasks of my life; therefore, without the help of
certain people I could not have completed it.
First of all, to my supervisors and mentors, Professor Jyoti Choudrie, Dr. Marija Cubric, and, Dr.
Mariana Dodourova. I would like to express my deep gratitude to, for firstly believing in my
ability and providing me with an opportunity to begin and get to this completion stage of the
PhD. I also learnt a lot from Dr. Marija who also was my supervisor during my Master Degree.
Thank you to both of you to help me discover my strength, encouragement, providing comments
and standing by me until the end of this research. Thank you to Professor Jyoti, for every email
and smartphone call and friendly manner that she afforded me. I am grateful to the entire
research team. I will not forget how helpful you have been and are.
I would also like to thank my parents for their continued support, encouragement, and
motivation. I would then like to thank my only sister who emotionally encouraged me every time
I felt tired. Without my lovely family, I would have never journeyed this far in my life. I hope
that the success of this Ph.D. will make you happy and proud.
I would like to personally thank Mr. and Mrs. Shojaie, Miss Coady, Mrs. Anne Pink, Dr. Amit
Vyas, Dr. Hassan Al-Zaabi, Miss Penwadee, Miss Lalita, Miss Panita, Miss Chatwarun, Miss
Siriruji, Miss Sydney and Miss Pacharawalai for being wonderful friends. In terms of friends, I
thank all my friends in the Royal Thai Embassy, in NOUR London, and friends who lived with
me in Flat 8. I am grateful to all of you for all the guidance, love, support and friendship over the
enduring years.
I wish to express my gratitude to the University of Hertfordshire for giving me the opportunity to
complete this research and also take this opportunity to acknowledge the help and support of all
the academic staff members. I thank all those expert panels and participants who spent their
valuable time answering my questionnaires on their smartphones. I also would like to thank
Oxford Internet Surveys and Office of National Statistics.
I would like to say thank you to the developers of the software that I used- Microsoft Office,
Mendeley, Dropbox, Chrome Browser, SmartPLS, and STATA. Without their applications, I
imagine that this thesis would be very hard and difficult. I also thank my computers, tablets, and

smartphones for being there in all these years of hard work and support.
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Sutee Pheeraphuttharangkoon (2015)
Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv
List of Appendices ....................................................................................................................... xiii
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... xiv
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ xviii
List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... xx
Publications ................................................................................................................................. xxii
Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 23
1.2 Research Problem and Background ........................................................................................ 23
1.2.1 Older Adults (50+) ........................................................................................................... 23
1.2.2 Older Adults and ICT....................................................................................................... 25
1.2.3 Smartphones and Mobile Phones ..................................................................................... 26
1.3 Research Aim, Objectives and Research Questions ............................................................... 29
1.4 Research Scope ....................................................................................................................... 30
1.5 Research Contributions ........................................................................................................... 31
1.6 Research Approach ................................................................................................................. 32
1.7 Dissertation Outline ................................................................................................................ 32
1.8 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................... 34
Chapter 2
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 36
2.2 Literature Review.................................................................................................................... 36
2.2.1 Smartphone Technology .................................................................................................. 37
2.2.2 Smartphone Features and Services .................................................................................. 39
2.2.3 Adoption and Smartphone Development ......................................................................... 43
2.2.4 Older Adults and the Challenges of Ageing .................................................................... 46
2.2.5 Older Adults and Technology (ICT, mobile phone, smartphones); Are older adults
Accepting the Technology? ...................................................................................................... 49
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2.2.6 The Digital Divide and Silver Surfers (50+ adults) ......................................................... 52
2.3 Theoretical Background .......................................................................................................... 56
2.3.1 Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA).................................................................................. 56
2.3.2 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) ........................................................................... 57
2.3.3 Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) ............................................................................... 62
2.3.4 Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) ............................................................................ 63
2.3.4.1 Innovation Decision Process ..................................................................................... 63
2.3.4.2 Attributes of the Innovation ...................................................................................... 64
2.3.4.3 Characteristics of Innovators .................................................................................... 65
2.3.4.4 The Limitations of DoI ............................................................................................. 65
2.3.5 Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (DTPB) ...................................................... 65
2.3.6 Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM 2) ..................................................................... 67
2.3.7 Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) ................................. 69
2.3.8 Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM 3) ..................................................................... 74
2.3.9 Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 ............................................... 76
2.4 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework ................................................................................. 78
2.4.1 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................................... 78
2.4.2 MOSA Construct Definition ............................................................................................ 79
2.4.3 MOSA Hypotheses Development .................................................................................... 80
2.4.4 Demographic Variables ................................................................................................... 86
2.4.4.1 Demographic Variables as Independent Variables ................................................... 87
2.4.4.2 Demographic Variable as Moderator Variables ....................................................... 88
2.5 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................... 90
Chapter 3
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 92
3.1.1 Overview of the Research Process ................................................................................... 93
3.2 Research Philosophy ............................................................................................................... 93
3.2.1 Positivism ......................................................................................................................... 94
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3.3 Research Approaches - Deductive .......................................................................................... 94
3.3.1 Deductive ......................................................................................................................... 95
3.4 Research Strategies ................................................................................................................. 95
3.4.1 Survey – Research Strategy ............................................................................................. 95
3.4.1.1 Internet and Intranet Mediated Questionnaire - Method ........................................... 96
3.5 Research Choices .................................................................................................................... 97
3.5.1 Quantitative and Qualitative Data .................................................................................... 97
3.5.2 Quantitative and Qualitative approach............................................................................. 98
3.6 Time Horizons ........................................................................................................................ 98
3.7 Data Collection and Data Analysis ......................................................................................... 98
3.7.1 Primary and Secondary Data ........................................................................................... 99
3.7.2 Sources and Management of Literature Review .............................................................. 99
3.7.3 Research Instruments ..................................................................................................... 101
3.7.4 Questionnaire construction ............................................................................................ 102
3.7.4.1 Designing Individual Questions .............................................................................. 102
3.7.4.2 Type of Questions ................................................................................................... 102
3.7.4.3 Questionnaire Types ............................................................................................... 104
3.7.4.4 Cover Letter, Ethical Issues, Closing Page, Invitation Letter. ................................ 106
3.7.5 Instrument Validation .................................................................................................... 106
3.7.5.1 Content Validity or Face Validity ........................................................................... 107
3.7.5.2 Pre - Testing ............................................................................................................ 109
3.7.5.3 Pilot Testing ............................................................................................................ 109
3.7.6 Sampling ........................................................................................................................ 110
3.7.6.1 Population ............................................................................................................... 110
3.7.6.2 Research Site ........................................................................................................... 111
3.7.6.3 Sampling Frames .................................................................................................... 112
3.7.6.4 Sample Size ............................................................................................................. 113
3.7.6.5 Sampling Types ...................................................................................................... 113
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3.7.6.6 Sampling Technique ............................................................................................... 113
3.7.6.7 Sample Process ....................................................................................................... 114
3.7.6.8 Questionnaire Distribution Method ........................................................................ 116
3.7.6.9 Sampling Methods Summary .................................................................................. 117
3.7.7 Analysis Methods........................................................................................................... 117
3.7.7.1 First Generation Data Analysis Techniques ........................................................... 118
3.7.7.2 Second Generation Data Analysis Techniques ....................................................... 119
3.7.7.3 Reliability ................................................................................................................ 120
3.7.7.4 Validity in PLS-SEM Technique ............................................................................ 123
3.8 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................. 124
Chapter 4
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 126
4.2 The Pilot Study ..................................................................................................................... 126
4.2.1 Aims of the Pilot test...................................................................................................... 126
4.2.2 Pilot Survey Questionnaire Development ...................................................................... 127
4.3 Development of Construct Measurement Questions in the Pilot .......................................... 127
4.4 Developing Support Questions for the Pilot Study ............................................................... 130
4.5 Content Validation ................................................................................................................ 135
4.6 Pilot Data Collection ............................................................................................................. 136
4.6.1 Sampling and Sample Size............................................................................................. 137
4.6.2 Online Questionnaire ..................................................................................................... 137
4.6.3 Pilot Questionnaire Distribution .................................................................................... 138
4.7 Pilot Findings ........................................................................................................................ 139
4.7.1 Demographics and Background ..................................................................................... 139
4.7.2 Smartphone, Networks, Fee ........................................................................................... 141
4.7.3 Features of Smartphones Used....................................................................................... 144
4.7.3.1 Factors Affecting Smartphone Purchase ................................................................. 147
4.7.3.2 Source of Information about Smartphones ............................................................. 148
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4.7.3.3 Using Smartphones for Health and Well-being, and, Connecting Friends and Family
Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 150
4.7.4 Reasons for Non-Adoption ............................................................................................ 151
4.7.5 Analysis Technique ........................................................................................................ 152
4.7.6 Analysis Results ............................................................................................................. 153
4.7.6.1 Reliability ................................................................................................................ 154
4.7.6.2 Validity: Convergent and Discriminant Validity .................................................... 155
4.7.7 The Analysis Results of the Above 50 Years Old Adults .............................................. 161
4.7.8 Analysis Results for the Below 50 Years Old ............................................................... 163
4.8 Pilot Discussion .................................................................................................................... 166
4.8.1 How People Use Smartphones ....................................................................................... 166
4.8.2 Why People Adopt Smartphone..................................................................................... 168
4.8.2.1 Factors Supported by Both Groups ......................................................................... 168
4.8.2.2 The Factors Supported Only 50+ Adults ................................................................ 169
4.8.2.3 The Factors Supported Only in the Below 50 Years Old Age Group .................... 170
4.9 Limitations and Future Improvement ................................................................................... 170
4.9.1 Distribution and Length of the Questionnaire ............................................................... 170
4.9.2 Final Questionnaire Layout............................................................................................ 171
4.9.3 Construct Measurement Questions ................................................................................ 172
4.9.4 Improvement to Supported Questions ........................................................................... 175
4.10 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................................... 175
Chapter 5
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 176
5.2 Sample Size and Sampling.................................................................................................... 176
5.3 Calculating the Response Rate.............................................................................................. 179
5.4 Demographics ....................................................................................................................... 179
5.5 Instrument Validation ........................................................................................................... 183
5.5.1 Sampling Adequacy- Kaiser-Meyer-OlKin and Bartlett’s Test ..................................... 183
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5.5.2 Reflective Measurement Model ..................................................................................... 184
5.5.3 Formative Measurement ................................................................................................ 188
5.5.4 A Structural Model ........................................................................................................ 190
5.6 Hypotheses Testing and Comparison.................................................................................... 190
Hypothesis 1: Observability has a positive influence on the behavioural intention towards
smartphone adoption – Not Supported ............................................................................... 191
Hypothesis 2: Compatibility has a positive influence on the behavioural intention towards
smartphone adoption – Supported ...................................................................................... 192
Hypothesis 3: Social Influence has a positive influence on the behavioural intention towards
smartphone adoption - Not Supported ................................................................................ 192
Hypothesis 4: Facilitating Condition has a positive influence on the behavioural intention
towards smartphone adoption – Supported ......................................................................... 192
Hypothesis 5: Performance expectancy has a positive influence on the behavioural intention
towards smartphone adoption – Supported ......................................................................... 192
Hypothesis 6: Effort Expectancy has a positive influence on the behavioural intention
towards smartphone adoption – Supported ......................................................................... 192
Hypothesis 7: Enjoyment has a positive influence on the behavioural intention towards
smartphone adoption – Supported ...................................................................................... 193
Hypothesis 8: Behavioural intention has a positive influence on the smartphone usage –
Supported ............................................................................................................................ 193
5.7 The effect of Demographic Variables as Moderated Variables ............................................ 193
5.8 Adoption: Smartphone – Descriptive Statistics of Construct Measurements ....................... 196
5.9 Smartphone Usage ................................................................................................................ 199
5.9.1 Use of Smartphones for Health Purposes ...................................................................... 205
5.9.2 Usage with Friends and Family ..................................................................................... 207
5.10 Diffusion: Source of Information about Smartphones ........................................................ 209
5.11 Plan to Use Smartphone ...................................................................................................... 211
5.12 Not Using Smartphone ........................................................................................................ 213
5.13 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................................... 215

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