A risk integrated technology acceptance perspective on the intention to use smart grid technologies in residential electricity consumption

The current study employs the risk technology acceptance model to explain the intention to use smart grid technologies in Romania. The country has recently liberalized the electricity market and thus it provides a relevant setting for examining attitudes towards smart grid technologies.Based on survey data and the partial least square structural equation modeling approach, we found that the intention to use smart grid technologies is significantly affected by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use (positive), respectively by perceived risk (negative). Moreover, we advance the existing theory by showing that perceived risk determines perceived usefulness and not the other way around. Further exogenous influences are identified for each core determinant: compatibility and understanding affect ease of use; understanding, power supply reliability and electricity rate saving affect usefulness; risk is determined by cyber insecurity and fear of electromagnetic radiation. Only environmental concerns do not appear to play a significant role in shaping the perceived use of smart grid technologies. The paper discusses the implications of these findings, both as refining the theory and as providing policy recommendations.