Measuring the Perceived Attributes of Innovation: a Study of Capacitive Switch Technology in Industrially Designed User Interface Controls Aaron B
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Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Graduate Capstone Projects 7-19-2011 Measuring the perceived attributes of innovation: A study of capacitive switch technology in industrially designed user interface controls Aaron B. Stachewicz Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/theses Part of the Science and Technology Studies Commons Recommended Citation Stachewicz, Aaron B., "Measuring the perceived attributes of innovation: A study of capacitive switch technology in industrially designed user interface controls" (2011). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 359. http://commons.emich.edu/theses/359 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Graduate Capstone Projects at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Measuring the Perceived Attributes of Innovation: A Study of Capacitive Switch Technology in Industrially Designed User Interface Controls by Aaron B. Stachewicz, PMP, CMfgE Dissertation Submitted to the College of Technology Eastern Michigan University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Area of Concentration: Engineering Management Dissertation Committee: Polly Buchanan, PhD - Chair Daniel Fields, PhD - Member Phillip Cardon, PhD - Member Thomas A. Schmitt, PhD - Member July 19, 2011 Ypsilanti, Michigan ii Dedication I dedicate this work to those who are still trying to answer the hardest question in the academic community: What do you want to be when you “grow up”? This age-old question perplexes the young and old. May those who identify the answer have the strength to move outside of their comfort zone to live the answer no matter how old they are. iii Acknowledgements Over ten years ago Dr. Jule D. Scarborough planted the seed of pursuing a doctoral degree in my head. A few downsizings, job changes, and a bad economy provided the rain and sunshine to germinate the doctoral degree concept into an actionable plan and for that I thank you. This research would not have been possible without the help from the tier one automotive supplier who provided support through the use of transportation, facilities, overhead consoles, and participants. I would like to extend a special thank you to Rob H. and Beth M. for their mentoring expert guidance throughout this dissertation process. I owe my deepest gratitude to Dr. Polly Buchanan who was able to be Doctoral Chair at the last minute and provided me the necessary assistance and guidance through the dissertation process. A thank you to my committee members - Dan Fields, Phillip Cardon, and Thomas A. Schmitt - for reading this dissertation and providing helpful comments and guidance. I would like to acknowledge the support and assistance from my friends Amanda, Chris, JT, and especially Mark, who talked me into taking my own advice “an hour a day makes the dissertation go away.” I also would like to thank my family who provided moral and monetary support when needed. Finally I would like to thank my girlfriend for her love, support, enthusiasm, and, most of all, her tolerance. A special thank you also goes out to Aladdin who kept me company as well as provided some distraction on my journey from student to scholar. iv Abstract The purpose of this research was to test the applicability of Rogers’ theory of innovation diffusion as it relates to measuring the perceived attributes of innovations of capacitive switch technology in user interface controls. This study used a Likert scale to collect data on the following perceived attributes of innovation including relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, demonstrability, visibility, ease of use, image, voluntariness, perceived risk, and perceived resources as outlined by Rogers (1995), Moore and Benbasat (1991), and Dupagne and Driscoll (2005). Results indicated whether a consumer is willing to accept capacitive switch innovation in industrially designed user interface controls. v Table of Contents Dedication ............................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. iii Abstract ............................................................................................................................... iv CHAPTER I. Introduction ....................................................................................................1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Nature and Significance of the Problem .....................................................................1 Objective of the Research ..........................................................................................4 Research Questions ....................................................................................................5 Delimitations .............................................................................................................7 Assumptions ..............................................................................................................7 Limitations ................................................................................................................7 Definition of Terms ...................................................................................................7 Summary ...................................................................................................................9 CHAPTER II. Background and Review of Literature ......................................................... 10 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 10 Background ............................................................................................................. 10 Background of Diffusion Theory ............................................................................. 15 Literature Related to the Research Design ................................................................ 22 Summary ................................................................................................................. 28 CHAPTER III. Methodology .............................................................................................. 29 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 29 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 29 vi Research Setting ...................................................................................................... 30 Population and Sample ............................................................................................ 31 Data Collection ........................................................................................................ 32 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 36 Personnel ................................................................................................................. 38 Timeline .................................................................................................................. 38 Summary ................................................................................................................. 38 CHAPTER IV. Data Presentation and Analysis .................................................................. 39 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 39 Findings ................................................................................................................... 39 Responses of the Perceived Attributes of Innovations .............................................. 47 Summary ................................................................................................................. 53 CHAPTER V. Results, Conclusions, and Recommendations ............................................... 54 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 54 Overview of Study ................................................................................................... 54 Summary of Findings ............................................................................................... 54 Theoretical and Practical Implications...................................................................... 57 Limitations of Study ................................................................................................ 57 Recommendations for Further Research ................................................................... 58 References ........................................................................................................................... 60 Appendices.........................................................................................................................