Social networks and communication behaviour underlying smart home adoption in the UK

Vrain, Emilie and Wilson, Charlie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8164-3566 (2021) Social networks and communication behaviour underlying smart home adoption in the UK. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 38. pp. 82-97. ISSN 2210-4224

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Abstract

Consumer-facing digital innovations with the potential to reduce carbon emissions often exist in small market niches and their impact has been limited thus far. Using the established Diffusion of Innovations theory which considers interpersonal communication amongst social networks to be a vital mechanism for exchanging information, we conducted an online survey in the UK to investigate the social networks and communication behaviours of adopters and non-adopters of three different energy saving smart home technologies. Applying social network analysis and statistically testing hypotheses, our results reveal the potential social barriers to the diffusion of information, with social network structure and characteristics creating obstacles. This research provides necessary insights into real early adopters, confirms the importance of focussing research on the often-neglected social elements of diffusion theory and helps identify marketing strategies and policy actions using social mechanisms to accelerate a low carbon transition.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: diffusion of innovations,social mechanisms,climate change,consumer-facing technology,energy demand,environmental science(all),sdg 13 - climate action ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Social Sciences
University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 16 Dec 2020 00:53
Last Modified: 25 Sep 2024 15:12
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77975
DOI: 10.1016/j.eist.2020.11.003

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