The effect of platform characteristics on the adoption of smart speakers: Empirical evidence in South Korea

• Published in: Telematics and informatics 2018-12, Vol.35 (8), p.2118-2132
• Main Authors: Park, Kyuhong, Kwak, Chanhee, Lee, Junyeong, Ahn, Jae-Hyeon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Emerging markets; Information technology; Mathematical analysis; Network externality; Perceived value; Platform; Smart speaker adoption; Speakers; Technology adoption
• ISSN: 0736-5853; 1879-324X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2018.07.013

•We propose a value-based model to explain the factors for smart speaker adoption.•Network externalities have a positive impact on the perceived benefit.•Product related variables have a positive impact on the perceived benefit.•Platform related variables have a stronger effect than product related variables. The emerging market for smart speakers is growing rapidly. Unlike conventional information technology (IT) devices, smart speakers are becoming a major platform that access many types of information through a voice interface. This study examines the factors related to the adoption of smart speakers from the platform perspective. More specifically, our study investigated how the product related characteristics (e.g., functionality, design, brand, and price), platform related characteristics (e.g., perceived service availability, perceived network size, perceived complementarity) and privacy concerns affect the perceived value and intentions to adopt a smart speaker. The results indicate that platform related variables have a bigger impact on the customer adoption of the smart speaker, whereas product related variables, such as functionality, have less of an impact.