Katrin Arning

Different Perspectives on Technology Acceptance: The Role of Technology Type and Age

Although eHealth technologies offer an enormous potential to improve healthcare, the knowledge about key determinants of acceptance for eHealth technology is restricted. While the underlying technology of eHealth technologies and Information and Communication technology (ICT) is quite similar, utilization contexts and using motives are quite different. In order to explore the role of technology type on acceptance, we contrasted central application characteristics of both technology types using the scenario technique. A questionnaire was administered (n = 104) measuring individual variables (age, gender) and attitudes regarding an eHealth application (blood sugar meter) in contrast to an ICT device (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA). Older users basically approved the utilization of health-related technologies and perceived lower usability barriers. In addition, we identified main utilization motives of eHealth technology and technology-specific acceptance patterns, especially regarding issues of data safety in the eHealth context. Effects of age and gender in acceptance ratings suggest a differential perspective on eHealth acceptance. Finally, practical interventions were derived in order to support eHealth device design and to promote acceptance of eHealth technology.

Barriers of information access in small screen device applications: the relevance of user characteristics for a transgenerational design

The proliferation of ubiquitous computing is accompanied by the development of devices, which promise to facilitate the daily living activities of people. However, the question if mobile devices address the usability demands of older users is still unsettled. This paper reports the findings of a series of studies that examined the performance of younger and older adults when using personal data management software applications of a PDA. In order to learn about the ageing impact, the influence of user characteristics like spatial and memory abilities, the subjective technical confidence and computer-expertise on performance outcomes were analysed. Beyond quantitative performance measurements, the major shortcomings in interface design were identified. Results showed that older users reached lower performance outcomes. Even young adults did not reach a perfect performance level, hinting again at shortcomings in the design of PDA applications. Overall, the findings demonstrate the need to include user characteristics in interface design.

Development and validation of a computer expertise questionnaire for older adults

Prior computer expertise represents one of the most important predictors of performance when interacting with ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and acquiring computer skills. Due to demographic changes, the older adult will become increasingly important as a potential user. However, there is a lack of instruments for the assessment of computer expertise in older adults, especially for novice users with restricted prior computer knowledge. A computer expertise (CE) questionnaire for older adults was developed, analysed (Study I) and validated (Study II). Item-analysis showed that the CE-questionnaire is particularly appropriate for the computer knowledge level of older adults and measures computer expertise sufficiently. Furthermore, it was found that computer experience (in terms of frequency of computer usage) is a poor predictor of actual computer performance, which has important implications for the theoretical conceptualization of computer expertise and its assessment.

Same Same but Different How Service Contexts of Mobile Technologies Shape Usage Motives and Barriers

As wireless technologies evolve, mobile technologies and services will increasingly affect our lives, accompanied by positive and negative effects. This development requires a high acceptance of users to the presence of mobile services in various usage contexts. In an exploratory focus-group-interview approach (n = 63), this research investigates usage motives as well as barriers, which are perceived by users of wireless mobile technologies. In order to understand the impact of specific usage contexts, in which mobile services are applied, an ICT context was contrasted to a medical service context. Outcomes show that acceptance factors are neither static nor independent from the specific usage or service context in which a technology is applied. Rather, acceptance reveals to be a product of individual usage motivations, situation-specific evaluations, and individual user profiles.

Health Concerns Versus Mobile Data Needs: Conjoint Measurement of Preferences for Mobile Communication Network Scenarios

ABSTRACT As demands for mobile broadband services and ubiquitous network coverage in our societies are increasing, the mobile communication network infrastructure has to be expanded. Concurrently, the technical infrastructure of mobile communication technologies (base stations) raises the publics concerns about health risks due to electromagnetic fields (EMF). By applying conjoint analyses, the study empirically investigates the relationship between mobile data demands, different base station locations, the prevalence of perceived health complaints, and the impact of compensation payments. Findings show that health concerns are the most critical factor for mobile network communication scenario preferences, followed by data rate availability. In the decision scenarios, base station location and compensation payments played a minor role. Two user groups, cellphone and smart phone users who differ in their sensitivity regarding health concerns and data demands, were identified by segmentation analysis. By means of a sensitivity analysis, different mobile communication network scenarios were analyzed. Outcomes show the importance of integrating users’ preferences into the design of mobile communication networks. This especially refers to an increased sensitivity regarding health concerns in cellphone users and minimum requirements for data rates at least sufficient for the usage of mobile Internet services for smart phone users.

“Get that Camera Out of My House!” Conjoint Measurement of Preferences for Video-Based Healthcare Monitoring Systems in Private and Public Places

Facing the healthcare challenges of an aging society, the expansion of AAL system implementation in private and public environments is a promising way to improve healthcare in future smart homes and cities. The present study evaluated preferences for different video-based medical monitoring scenarios, which comprised the attributes medical safety (improved detection of medical emergencies), privacy (handling of video information), type and location of camera in a conjoint analysis. Medical safety was identified as key driver for preferences. Acceptance for video-based medical monitoring systems in public places was comparably high, given that privacy was protected. In contrast, acceptance for video-based monitoring in smart home environments was rather low due to privacy concerns. Based on the findings, recommendation for AAL system design and implementation were derived.

Join the Ride! User Requirements and Interface Design Guidelines for a Commuter Carpooling Platform

Carpooling might be a solution for maintaining mobility and reducing traffic problems of cities. In order to exploit the potential of carpooling for congested cities, to enhance the awareness of carpooling platforms among commuters and citizens, and to improve the interaction with existing carpooling web solutions, user-centered research methods (focus groups and usability analysis) were applied to understand the key motivators, acceptance barriers, and design requirements associated with carpooling platforms. The diversity of potential commuter platform users regarding age, gender, carpooling- and Internet expertise was also considered.

Safety and Privacy Perceptions in Public Spaces: An Empirical Study on User Requirements for City Mobility

Mobility represents an essential prerequisite for the participation in social lives in urban environments. However, seamless mobility and traveling is based on dwellers’ perception of a high personal safety at different urban locations. Safety can be supported by adequate surveillance technologies (e.g., cameras), but any surveillance undermines individual wishes for protection of privacy. In this empirical study, we explore users’ perceptions on safety and privacy. Using an online survey, 99 users were requested to indicate their acceptance of different types of technologies that increase safety, differentiating perceived benefits and barriers. Also, we explored acceptance differences towards surveillance technologies during day- and nighttime at various locations (private and public). Finally, we determined the trade-off between the wish for increasing safety and the wish for privacy.

Pitfalls when Placing Electricity Pylons - The Influence of Age on Acceptance

The increasing penetration of renewable energies influences and changes the transmission task of electricity in Germany. However, the planning and construction of new lines is met with resistance from the public. To address public concerns adequately, a tailored information and communication concept is needed, for which knowledge about acceptance-relevant factors for different user groups is indispensable. In this paper we explore acceptance-relevant attributes in the context of electricity pylons contrasting attitudes of older and younger persons. Results of a conjoint study indicate that both age groups basically have comparable acceptance levels, but younger persons were found to be more sensitive with regard to distance of the pylon and possible health effects. Additionally, acceptance patterns similar to those for cell tower location were found, which implies that the analyzed attributes are not only stable across demographic groups but also across technologies.

Evaluation of a Mobile Projector-Based Indoor Navigation Interface

In recent years, the interest and potential applications of pedestrian indoor navigation solutions have significantly increased. Whereas the majority of mobile indoor navigation aid solutions visualize navigationalinformationonmobilescreens,thepresentstudyinvestigatestheeffectivenessofamobile projector-based navigation aid that directly projects navigational information into the environment. A benchmark evaluation of the mobile projector-based indoor navigation interface was carried out, investigating a combination of different navigation devices (mobile projector vs. mobile screen) and navigationinformation(mapvs.arrow)aswellastheimpactofusers’spatialabilities.Resultsshowed the superiority of the mobile screen as a navigation aid and the map as a navigation information type. Especially users with low spatial abilities benefited from this combination in their navigation performanceandacceptance.Potentialapplicationscenariosanddesignimplicationsfornovelindoor navigation interfaces are derived from our findings. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS • Experimental benchmark evaluation of a mobile pico projector for pedestrian navigation purposes. • Multidimensional evaluation of the effectiveness of navigation information for pedestrian navigation. • User experience and acceptance of mobile pico projectors. • Inclusion of cognitive user factors (e.g. spatial abilities) and user experiences (e.g. trust, privacy) of mobile navigation aid usage. • Outline of potential application scenarios and design implications for novel indoor navigation interfaces.