Implementing citizen centric technology in developing smart cities: A model for predicting the acceptance of urban technologies
Section snippets
Introduction: local identity as a source of value
Local identity and knowledge are fundamental source of value for cities and the practical base upon which smart city plans must engage (Yigitcanlar et al., 2018). Despite this, the smart city has been presented as a global phenomenon with little attention to local contexts (Söderström et al., 2014). Current smart city plans have tended to picture the city as a “blank canvas upon which powerful sophisticated technology can simply be overlain and made to work in straightforwardly useful, new
Background: the local imperative in smart city development
Local knowledge has largely been overlooked as a source of innovative potential for smart cities (Vanolo, 2016). Smart cities research has instead largely been aligned with the “placeless” approach proposed by Cairncross, 1997, Cairncross, 2001 almost two decades ago who suggested that geography would become increasingly irrelevant with the advent of internet and communications technologies. The “death-of-distance” has not in fact occurred. In contrast the importance of local identity to social
Developing the conceptual model
For citizen centric smart cities effective technology acceptance by users is critical (Lee and Lee, 2014; Saunders and Baeck, 2015). The technology acceptance model (TAM) and social cognitive theories (SCT) have been developed through research on information and communication systems, which make them robust theories for measuring individuals' perceptions on the use of a new technology (Schepers et al., 2005).
TAM is one of the most reliable models and has been used as the theoretical basis for
Research methods
This study employed a quantitative research approach and used a structured questionnaire as the only instrument to collect data (Table 3). The questionnaire covered 12 constructs as shown in Table 1, and included 51 measures to evaluate the proposed constructs. It used a five-point scale, from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Data was collected from citizens who were randomly selected at public urban locations within three selected Iranian cities 1.) Tabriz, 2.) Isfahan, 3.) Shiraz.
Data analysis and results
To evaluate the proposed model, the structural equation modelling was utilized using the SmartPLS 3.0 software program (Ringle et al., 2015). The paper presents the results of two tests of the measurement model; both validity and reliability. In this way the structure of the model is analyzed in relation to the variables. If the model passes all stages successfully, it shows the correctness of the selected constructs and their dependent terms. The following sections present the results of the
Discussion
The purpose of this research was to develop a model to predict technology acceptance in developing smart cities, considering local social, cultural and infrastructural conditions. This study is different from previous works in major ways. Firstly, previous studies focused on e-government technologies (Wangpipatwong et al., 2008; Abu-Shanab, 2017) and didn't cover the diverse technology-based services associated with Smart Cities contexts. Secondly, most relevant smart city studies focus on
Conclusion
This paper aimed to develop a more citizen centric approach to smart cities by understanding the local dimensions of technology acceptance. This study has revealed the potential for technology acceptance tools in facilitating smart city development. It provides both theoretical and empirical support to the project of implementing smart cities in developing countries through survey, analysis and the development of insights on technology acceptance. To date the proposed model is the most
Competing interests statement
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Acknowledgments
This work has been developed through collaboration made possible by the Smart Cities Research Cluster UNSW Sydney.
Samad Sepasgozar has considerable expertise in the science of technology acceptance and has published in this area previously. His research addresses the complex issues related to the practices of technology adoption in construction, and develop a uniform framework for understanding its process. His other interested themes are related to creating needs and applications for new technologies (Geo-ICT, Scanners, BIM and GIS, etc.) to solve problems in city, municipality, transportation,
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Samad Sepasgozar has considerable expertise in the science of technology acceptance and has published in this area previously. His research addresses the complex issues related to the practices of technology adoption in construction, and develop a uniform framework for understanding its process. His other interested themes are related to creating needs and applications for new technologies (Geo-ICT, Scanners, BIM and GIS, etc.) to solve problems in city, municipality, transportation, construction and mining. He has worked in diverse research areas including green technologies, disaster management, and engineering education.
Scott Hawken, is convener of the Smart Cities Cluster UNSW which provides leadership and collaborative opportunities in the smart cities space throughout the Asia Pacific region. He has recently completed editing a special issue on Smart Cities and Urban Innovation for City, Culture and Society Journal. He is currently editing a book on open data and cities due for publication in 2019. He has expertise in smart cities development in both developed and developing cities. In 2017 he led national workshops in India focused on the 100 smart cities mission in collaboration with national agency Niti Aayog. In 2018 he has focused on developing two international collaborations. The first focused on Big Data and Design with Beijing City Lab at Tsinghua University and the second focused on China's Sponge Cities program with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Sharifeh Sargolzaei is currently completing her doctorate in Art University of Isfahan. Her thesis is about the process of adopting new technologies for improving the quality of life in urban areas at both individual and organizational levels in developing countries. Other experiences include working on issues such as Smart Cities, urban planning, disaster management and rmergency accommodation.
Mona Foroozanfar received her MASc from the Construction Project Management Group at the University of Tehran. She has published in the area of technology adoption in the construction industry. Also, she has conducted research in the field of green digital technologies, and sustainability.