Title: A user-based perspective on limits to the adoption of new technology

Authors: Francesco Schiavone, Jason MacVaugh

Addresses: Department of Business Studies, University Parthenope, Naples 80133, Italy. ' University of Gloucestershire Business School, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, UK

Abstract: This theoretical paper investigates limits to adoption that new technologies are more likely to find from users of notionally out-of-date technologies. An interpretive framework is posited explaining that older technologies may continue to be used when: features of the old technology have superior complementarity or benefit from technological complexity; their community of users hold negative stereotypes of newer technology or the new technology has not created a strong enough contagion effect; expertise in the existing technology does not help use the new technology or use of the new technology requires high switching costs.

Keywords: knowledge; innovation; community of users; non-use; consumer expertise; new technology adoption; technological complexity; contagion effect.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTE.2009.031499

International Journal of Technoentrepreneurship, 2009 Vol.2 No.2, pp.99 - 114

Received: 21 Mar 2009
Accepted: 17 Jun 2009
Published online: 05 Feb 2010 *

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