Technology is developing at a rapid pace. With this, Internet of Things (IoT) and smart homes are being used by more and more people every day. The amount of network protocols that is being used in relation to smart homes are many and they come with different features and challenges. With one of the main challenges being the issue of interoperability between the protocols. This has led to the introduction of Matter, a new protocol that uses Thread, Wi-Fi and Ethernet as networking technologies underneath. The goal is to enable smart devices from different companies to seamlessly talk to each other. There is a gap in how the different protocols are perceived by users as well as how a standardized protocol like Matter could impact the experience of a smart home. The aim of the study is to better understand the need of consumers for their smart home protocols. This by using a mixed method approach to get the insight of consumers located in Sweden. The data in the study was collected by conducting a survey and two focus group sessions. The survey was answered by 34 respondents and was structured to answer research question 1. The focus group had 4 participants in the first session and 3 participants in the second session and was structured to answer research question 2. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data which concluded into 7 themes from the survey and 5 themes from the focus groups.  The findings were then discussed subsequently with each theme. Using UTAUT2 as the theoretical framework the similarities and general findings were connected to the constructs of the UTAUT2 model. The themes showed that the perception of protocol is closely tied to its influence on factors like performance, reliability, and functionality of smart home devices. Additionally, it was concluded that adopting a standardized protocol such as Matter could potentially enhance interoperability, make it less complex, and address security and privacy concerns. As a result, this could significantly impact the user experience of individuals in their smart homes.

This is a qualitative, interpretive research study of how six senior citizens’ aged 70-85 describe their use and need of Smart home technology for their independent living and welfare. Data was collected through technology probing and interviews. Data analysis was done using a thematic method. The research was underpinned by the theoretical model Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). The research setting was senior citizens’ living in Care housing rented out by the municipality owned company. The findings show that technology is perceived by the senior citizens’ to be something must be taught and takes effort. Senior housing need to be better designed for its senior tenants. It was also found that if technology is used to ensure safety, fall detection for instance, trust and sufficient support is crucial. The findings suggest it could be difficult to assess your own need and to realize when assistance technology is needed. It also found that the use of technology was perceived as being individual and as something that cannot be treated collectively. It was suggested that health professionals do have some influence on the senior citizen and their use of technology. The findings of this study was compared to previous studies and how it relates to the determinants and moderating factors suggested by the theoretical model UTAUT2.

Pervasive digitalization of society has increased exponentially in the recent decades, which sets demands on the society. This leads to fundamental changes on a global level, where massive amounts of information are available by just a few clicks away. Research shows that there is a digital divide between seniors and other citizens. To investigate this, our study focuses on seniors' attitudes towards digital technology use, supported by the factors in the UTAUT2 model. The thesis is based on a qualitative study conducted through semi-structured interviews with eight senior participants. Our analysis reveals that seniors experience a high degree of independence once they learn how to use digital technologies. Moreover, support from family and friends is an important aspect, regardless if the seniors experience difficulties getting started with digital technology or not. Finally, a discussion regarding seniors' negative self-assessment is presented, as there exists a discrepancy between perceived habit and actual use of digital technologies.

Technology is developing fast, and more smart devices are being implemented in our everyday life. Internet of Things (IoT) is a modern technology where physical objects are embedded with sensors in order for them to communicate. IoT can help reduce energy consumption in households, yet usage of such technologies is not widespread. There is a gap in the understanding of why the adoption of IoT technologies is lagging behind expectations. In this concept, energy-efficient IoT devices include smart devices that can help reduce energy wastage by efficient management of energy consumption. The aim of this study is to better understand the challenges of energy-efficient IoT implementation in Swedish home environments. This research explores Swedish customers' awareness of, attitude towards and experiences with IoT devices that reduce energy wastage, in order to assess barriers to adoption. To understand the challenges of IoT adoption in Swedish households, a mixed-method case study was conducted. Data was collected using a combination of interviews, surveys, and reviews from websites and forums, with eight people being interviewed, 26 people responding to the survey, and 302 reviews included as a secondary source of information. The collected data were analysed with thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.The analysis presents evidence that factors such as social and mass media influence, lack of information, compatibility and connectivity challenges, lack of standardisation, high cost, distrust, and high expectation contribute to the reluctance of energy-efficient IoT adoption. Widespread adoption of energy-efficient IoT devices can be achieved by facilitating knowledge dissemination in mass media, providing information transparency, enabling cross-platform interoperability and providing adequate support.

The financial services division has been significantly impacted by the emergence of mobile payments, which can be attributed to the fast progressions in mobile technology and the widespread adoption of smartphones. The present research investigates critical factors prompting the adoption of mobile payment services in developed and developing countries, namely Sweden, Estonia, Germany, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This research aims to explain the resemblances and gaps in the adoption of mobile payments in developed and developing nations. The detailed analysis of the related past studies has identified organization, trust and security, financial inclusion, consumer preferences, and government support as the primary determinants that impact mobile payment adoption. The present investigation is based on the Technology Acceptance Model, including the extended model of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2. Developed economies such as Sweden, Estonia, and Germany have the infrastructure to implement mobile payment alternatives effectively. The widespread adoption of mobile payments in these countries can be recognized by several factors, such as governmental initiatives that promote digitalization, a well-established financial framework, and consumer knowledge of various payment modalities. While implementing mobile payment services in developing nations like Pakistan and Sri Lanka presents distinctive obstacles. A significant portion of the general public lacks access to banking services, insufficient digital infrastructure, and reduced trust in technology exists. The anticipated surge in mobile payment adoption within emerging markets can be attributed to the widespread availability of smartphones and governmental efforts to broaden access to Mobile payment services. This research enhances our comprehension of the factors and barriers that constrain the implementation of mobile payment services. This research is useful for policymakers, banks, and technology firms as they develop strategies to expand mobile payment options.

Mutah University in Jordan / The full text will be available at the end of the emabargo: 17th June 2024

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