Individual Acceptance of Internet of Things: A Meta Analytical Review

ABSTRACT Given the pivotal role that IoT technologies play in revolutionizing industries and enhancing everyday connectivity, this study aims to unravel the key factors driving individual intention to adopt IoT while also identifying the obstacles that may impede their acceptance. This study consolidates existing research findings by conducting a comprehensive meta‐analysis. The authors performed a meta‐ analysis of 92 articles, resulting in 96 observations from a combined sample of 30,024 respondents. This study introduces an integrated framework that combines theoretical frameworks and empirical data to elucidate the complex dynamics underpinning individual IoT intention across a spectrum of diverse settings. It underscores that user intention is highly context‐specific, necessitating consideration of both technological attributes and psychological influences. We identified 18 constructs as antecedents of intention to use IoT derived from the theory of reasoned action/planned behavior, technology acceptance model, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and IS success model. Out of these 18 constructs, 16 were found to be significant, and the key factors influencing intention to use IoT were found to be habit, performance expectancy, service quality, social influence, and attitude. To investigate the potential reasons for contradictory findings across studies, a subgroup analysis was conducted. This study attempted to understand the role of methodological moderators (sample size, publication type, year of publication), cultural and economic moderators (culture, economic level) and theoretical moderators (innovation level, digital readiness level). Thus, analyzing the variability in effect sizes across existing studies offers a critical opportunity to uncover the factors that drive differences in the relationship between individual intentions to adopt IoT. Practically, this meta‐analysis gives useful information for companies looking to increase individual adoption of IoT. Businesses may increase IoT adoption by making it more habitual, user‐friendly, useful, and attractive. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of IoT intention, highlighting its advantages and challenges, and proposes avenues for future research in the context of consumer studies.