The effect of platform characteristics on the adoption of smart speakers: Empirical evidence in South Korea

Abstract

The emerging market for smart speakers is growing rapidly. Unlike conventional information technology (IT) devices, smart speakers are becoming a major platform that access many types of information through a voice interface. This study examines the factors related to the adoption of smart speakers from the platform perspective. More specifically, our study investigated how the product related characteristics (e.g., functionality, design, brand, and price), platform related characteristics (e.g., perceived service availability, perceived network size, perceived complementarity) and privacy concerns affect the perceived value and intentions to adopt a smart speaker. The results indicate that platform related variables have a bigger impact on the customer adoption of the smart speaker, whereas product related variables, such as functionality, have less of an impact. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd