Uncovering the IoT Roadblocks: Exploring Barriers to Smart Home Adoption in Europe

The potential of smart home technology (SHT) is vast, yet its adoption remains low, particularly in Europe. Despite the limited literature available on this topic in Europe, it reveals key barriers to SHT, including concerns regarding reliability, data privacy, and the costs associated with smart home technologies. To systematically organize and analyze these barriers, this study employed the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model. This literature review primarily focuses on highlighting the barriers that have received insufficient research attention within the domain of smart home technology. By providing insights into the barriers to SHT adoption, this research aims to enhance our understanding of the challenges specific to SHT adoption in Europe and offers suggestions for future research in this area. The research findings highlight several barriers to SHT in Europe. Reliability emerged as a significant concern, with users expressing apprehension about the consistent and dependable functioning of SHT’s devices and systems. Data privacy concerns were another prominent barrier, with users expressing worries about the security and potential misuse of their personal information. Additionally, the high costs associated with smart home technologies were identified as a barrier, limiting their accessibility and affordability for potential adopters. The findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the barriers that have received insufficient attention within the SHT domain. The implications of this research extend to academia, offering directions for future studies on mitigating the identified barriers, and to practitioners involved in SHT development and marketing, providing valuable insights for improving adoption strategies, addressing user concerns, and improving SHT adoption rates.