Exploring Platform Adoption in the Smart Home Case

Smart home (SH) services promote the comfort, convenience, security, entertainment, healthcare, education and communication of people in their home environments. Despite radical enhancements envisioned to peoples’ lives, the SH market has remained a niche for more than three decades. Yet, recent fast-paced developments, including ubiquitous computing, miniaturization of microelectronic components and digitalization of societies, have spurred a new wave of interest in a field populated by various technology platforms battling for dominance. In this light, we explore the determinants for wide-spread adoption of SH platforms informed by 21 experts from 19 companies. Our qualitative content analysis identifies, classifies, ranks and describes 34 determinants and yields a theoretical model on SH platform adoption. As such, we provide a basis for further research on platform ecosystems and managerial implications on platform design and governance in the SH field. In particular, we highlight the technical and organizational openness and the legitimacy of sponsorship.