Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acceptability Beyond Usability: A Manufacturing Case Study

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) (IEA 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 824))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

This study is a part of an innovation project carried on in ErgoLab, the ergonomics laboratory of FCA in Turin, with the aim of evaluating the use of a passive exoskeleton for upper limbs in automotive manufacturing tasks. The introduction of new technologies into a production environment is not always effective, because workers often don’t use them. It is therefore important that future users accept this innovation.

With the aim of evaluating Usability and Acceptability, the testing protocol included various data collection techniques: observation during simulated work tasks, interviews, a TAM2 questionnaire in order to analyse acceptability and, finally a focus group. Overall results showed that workers judge the exoskeleton positively because of evidence that activities can be performed with reduced physical effort. The device is perceived as useful especially in tasks requiring precision. The evaluation showed a good human-device interaction, but the workers involved in the tests consider the work-device interaction a critical point. On closer inspection, workers reported perceived ease of use, voluntariness and results demonstrability but little intention of using it and perceived usefulness. The results of the focus group are consistent with individual results: workers state that the exoskeleton is useful for performing certain activities, but its use should be voluntary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Acocella I (2008) Il focus group: teoria e tecnica. Franco Angeli, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  2. Al-Gahtani SS, e King M (1999) Attitudes, satisfaction and usage: factors contributing to each in the acceptance of information technology. Behav Inf Technol 18(4):277–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ajzen I (1991) The theory of planned behavior. Organ Behav Hum Decis 50(2):179–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Autry CW, Grawe SJ, Daugherty PJ, e Richey RG (2010) The effects of technological turbulence and breadth on supply chain technology acceptance and adoption. J Oper Manage 28:522–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Benyon D (2012) Progettare l’interazione. Metodi e tecniche per il design di media interattivi. Pearson Italia, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bevan NC (2015) ISO 9241-11 revised: what we have learnt about usability since 1998? In: Human computer interaction, pp 143–151

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bevan NM (1994) Usability measurement in context. Behav Inf Technol 13(1–2):132–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Boscarol M (2003) Ecologia dei siti web. Come e perché usabilità, accessibilità e fogli di stile stanno cambiando il modo di realizzare i siti internet. Tecniche Nuove, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  9. Brown R (2005) Psicologia sociale delle organizzazioni. Il Mulino, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  10. Caputo F, Greco A, Laudante E, Spada S, e Tonon T (2016) Strumenti e tecniche per la verifica in virtuale di fattibilità di prodotto. AIAS, 759:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  11. Cardano M (2011) La ricerca qualitativa. Il Mulino, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  12. Cataldi S (2012) Come si analizzano i focus group. Franco Angeli, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  13. Corbetta P (1999) Metodologie e tecniche per la ricerca sociale. Il Mulino, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

  14. Davis F (1989) Perceived usefulness, perceived easy of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Q 13:319–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Davis F, Bagozzi R, Warshaw P (1989) User acceptance of computer technology: a comparison of two theoretical models. Manage Sci 35(8):982–1003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Davis F, Bagozzi R, Warshaw P (1992) Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to use computer in workplace. J Apply Soc Psychol 22:1111–1132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Davis F, Venkatesh V (1996) A critical assessment of potential measurement biases in the technology acceptance model: three experiments. Int J Hum Comput Stud 45:19–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Di Nocera F (2011) Ergonomia cognitiva. Carocci, Roma

    Google Scholar 

  19. Fishbein M, Ajzen I (1975) Belief, attitude, intention and behaviour: an introduction to theory and research. Addison-Wesley, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  20. Fubini E (2009) Ergonomia antropologica. La variabilità umana nelle interazioni uomo-sistemi tecnologici. Franco Angeli, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  21. Han SH, Yun MH, Kwahk J, Hong SW (2001) Usability of consumer electronic products. Int J Ind Ergon 28:143–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Holzinger A, Searle G, Wernbacher M (2011) The effect of previous exposure to technology on acceptance and its importance in usability and accessibility engineering. Univ Access Inf Soc 10:245–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Hu PJ, Chau P, Liu Sheng O, Tam Y: Examining the technology

    Google Scholar 

  24. Im I, Kim Y, Han H-Y (2008) The effects of perceived risk and technology type on users’ acceptance of technologies. Inf Manage 45:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. King WR, He J (2006) A meta-analysis of the technology acceptance model. Inf Manage 43:740–755

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Maguire M (2001) Methods to support human-centered design. Int J Hum Comput Stud 55:587–634

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Mick DG, Fournier S (1998) Paradoxes of technology: consumer cognizance, emotions and coping strategies. J Consum Res 25(2):123–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Nielsen J (1992) The usability engineering life cycle. IEEE Comput 25(3):12–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Nielsen J (1993) Usability engineering. Academic press, Cambridge

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  30. Nielsen J (2000) The use and misuse of focus groups. http://www.useit.com/papers

  31. Nielsen J, Mack RL (eds) (1994) Usability inspection methods. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  32. Norman D (1987) Cognitive engineering - cognitive science. The MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  33. Norman D La (1990) Caffettiera del masochista. Giunti, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  34. Norman D (2000) Il computer invisibile. La tecnologia migliore è quella che non si vede. Apogeo, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  35. Perini M (2015) L’organizzazione nascosta. dinamiche inconsce e zone d’ombra nelle moderne organizzazioni. Franco Angeli, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  36. Polillo R (2010) Facile da usare. Una moderna introduzione alla ingegneria dell’usabilità. Apogeo, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  37. Re A (1995) Ergonomia per psicologi. Cortina, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  38. Renaud K, van Biljon J (2008) Predicting technology acceptance and adoption by the elderly: a qualitative study. In: Proceedings of the 2008 annual research conference of the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists on IT research in developing countries: riding the wave of technology. ACM, Wilderness

    Google Scholar 

  39. Venkatesh V (1999) Creation of favorable user perceptions: exploring the role of intrinsic motivation. MIS Q 23(2):239–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Venkatesh V (2000) Determinants of perceived ease of use: integrating control, intrinsic motivation, and emotion into the technology acceptance model. Inf Syst Res 11(4):342–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Venkatesh V, Davis FD (2000) A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: four longitudinal field studies. Manage Sci 46(2):186–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Venkatesh V, Morris MG (2000) Age differences in technology adoption decisions: implications for a changing work force. Pers Psychol 53:375–403

    Google Scholar 

  43. Venkatesh V, Morris MG, Davis GB, Davis F (2003) User acceptance of information technology: toward a unified view. MIS Q 27(3):425–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Venkatesh V, Zhang X (2014) Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology: U.S. vs. China. J Global Inf Technol Manage 13(1):5–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Zammuner V (2003) I focus group. Il Mulino, Bologna

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles – Manufacturing Planning and Control – Ergonomics, Turin, Italy

    S. Gilotta, S. Spada & L. Ghibaudo

  2. Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Verdi, 10, Turin, Italy

    M. Isoardi & C. O. Mosso

Authors
  1. S. Gilotta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Spada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Ghibaudo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Isoardi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. O. Mosso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to S. Gilotta , S. Spada , L. Ghibaudo , M. Isoardi or C. O. Mosso .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Republic of San Marino, San Marino, San Marino

    Sebastiano Bagnara

  2. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Riccardo Tartaglia

  3. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Sara Albolino

  4. Fraunhofer FKIE, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Thomas Alexander

  5. International Ergonomics Association, Tokyo, Japan

    Yushi Fujita

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Gilotta, S., Spada, S., Ghibaudo, L., Isoardi, M., Mosso, C.O. (2019). Acceptability Beyond Usability: A Manufacturing Case Study. In: Bagnara, S., Tartaglia, R., Albolino, S., Alexander, T., Fujita, Y. (eds) Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018). IEA 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 824. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96071-5_95

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation