Consumer Perception, Innovativeness, and Readiness in Smart Home Technology Adoption: Evidence from Malaysia

The rapid development of smart home technologies (SHTs) has generated significant global interest due to their potential to enhance efficiency, convenience, and security in residential living. However, the adoption of these technologies in developing countries remains relatively limited, often constrained by technological, financial, and socio-psychological barriers. This study seeks to examine the critical factors influencing the adoption of SHTs among residents of Melaka Tengah, Malaysia. Drawing upon the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research focuses on four key constructs perceived cost, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and consumer perceived innovativeness and their influence on users’ intention to adopt smart home systems.
A quantitative research design was employed, with survey data collected from 384 respondents. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression using SPSS, were conducted to test the relationships between the identified constructs and adoption intention. The results indicate that perceived ease of use and consumer perceived innovativeness significantly and positively predict adoption intention, while perceived cost exerts a significant negative influence. Interestingly, although perceived usefulness demonstrated a positive correlation with adoption intention, it was not found to be a statistically significant predictor in the regression analysis.
The findings provide both theoretical and practical contributions. From a theoretical perspective, the study extends the application of TAM to the Malaysian smart home context, highlighting the relative importance of usability and innovativeness over perceived usefulness in predicting adoption. From a practical standpoint, the results underscore the need for strategies that reduce financial barriers, simplify technological interfaces, and appeal to consumers’ innovativeness to encourage adoption. These insights are particularly relevant for technology developers, marketers, and policymakers seeking to expand the accessibility and inclusiveness of smart home ecosystems in emerging markets. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the importance of affordability, user-centered design, and innovative engagement as critical enablers for fostering broader acceptance and sustainable integration of smart home technologies within Malaysia’s residential sector.0

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