Adoption of Information Systems in the Electricity Sector: The Issue of Smart Metering

Given increases in electricity consumptions, coupled with finite resources and technological advances, ICT-enabled electrical networks such as smart grids are increasingly being deployed by energy companies. One part of smart grids is smart meters, which are digital electrical meters, having the potential to increase energy efficiency in both residential and industrial sectors. However, a challenge to smart meter implementation in residential settings is acceptability and adoption by the end-users (or consumers). Despite the acknowledged challenges in smart meter adoption, little academic research has been conducted on this topic. This study attempts to contribute towards that by developing a model of SMT adoption (drawing on existing literature on adoption behaviors and motivational psychology) and testing it using a survey of German consumers. Results highlight the important role played by factors such as internal and external locus of control (among others) on consumers’ intention to adopt SMT.