Investigating the factors affecting adoption of new technologies in mobile phone retail stores in the North West province

Abstract

Technology adoption might be a system of advantage for businesses, and more research is being undertaken to show that technology adoption would be beneficial for organisations. As a result, the purpose of this research was to look at the factors that influence the adoption of new technologies in mobile phone retail outlets in the North West Province. The study identified the challenges and obstacles that arose from innovation adoption that prevents organisations from capitalising on opportunities. The study used a qualitative research technique, balancing ethics and relying on the participants' subjective meanings based on their experiences with the event. Interviews were conducted with 10 participants across Vodacom’s mobile retail stores in the North West Province and randomly selected, including store owners, managers, administrative staff, frontline staff, technical and sales staff. The study further followed an interpretivism paradigm based on the experience of individuals who work in Vodacom’s mobile phone retail stores in the North West Province. The findings indicated that there was also agreement that technology enhances people's lives and improves business and operational efficiency. Lack of knowledge, training, and the number of new technologies released were all noted as negatives, especially given a little time allotted to use and optimise them.