Integrated acceptance and sustainability evaluation of Internet of Medical Things: A dual-level analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a dual-level (organizational and individual user) analysis of development related to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). It examines the organizational dynamics of IoMT and develops a conceptual model for quality of experience (QoE) in user acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the information systems success model of quality factor as an analytical framework and extends it beyond the individual user experience (UX) to include an organization-level perspective. Interviews are conducted with relevant stakeholders for sociotechnical inquiries; a survey identifies user factors in IoMT.

Findings

The sociotechnical analysis sheds light on how IoMT has been accepted and stabilized in the healthcare sector. It shows the complex interaction between the social and technical aspects of IoMT by highlighting the co-evolution, interaction, and interface of devices that constitute the next-generation network environment. The UX model conceptualizes QoE specific to medical informatics.

Research limitations/implications

Given the sociotechnical nature of this investigation, another approach to adoption of IoMT innovations was worth investigating to determine effective integration.

Practical implications

IoMT needs to be meaningful if they are to be sustainable and they need to offer quality of services and QoE no matter the location or demographic in which they are used.

Originality/value

With a dual-level analysis, the study provides a comprehensive view of the IoMT development process by investigating the organizational dynamics, in addition to the UX, of IoMT. The results provide a basis for developing future IoMT services with QoE requirements, as well as for clarifying sociotechnical dynamics.

Citation

Shin, D. and Hwang, Y. (2017), "Integrated acceptance and sustainability evaluation of Internet of Medical Things: A dual-level analysis", Internet Research, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 1227-1254. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-07-2016-0200