The Internet of Things Age Has Arrived? A Study about The Adoption of Smart Objects in the Brazilian Context

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the determinant variables to the adoption of “Smart Objects” with “Internet of Things” attributes, by consumers in the Brazilian context.

Method: For this, it were presented the concepts and definitions of the terms “Internet of Things (IoT)” and “Smart Objects” and identified the variables that can influence the adoption of this kind of technology according to theoretical research, namely: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, social influence, trust, perceived behavioral control and cost, considering a quantitative research, with a sample of 208 people, and data analysis using the Structural Equations Modeling.

Originality / relevance: It is possible to verify that there are just few studies about the “Internet of Things” and its influence on the Brazilian consumers, although this theme has been discussed in several technology forums around the country, what highlights the importance of the present research to consolidate this theme’s knowledge.

Results: Through this research, it was verified that, to the analyzed sample, the determinant factors to the adoption of “Smart Objects” are: cost and perceived behavioral control.

Theoretical / Methodological contributions: Such result collaborates to the enrichment of the consumer’s behavior knowledge in a new technological context, and enables the replication of the theoretical model used, in other contexts.

Social / Managerial contributions: It also contributes to the creation of more assertive market strategies considering the Brazilian consumers preferences regarding the aspects: consumer’s sense of control and the cost of “Smart Objects”.