An Investigation into user Adoption of Personal Safety Devices in Higher Education Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

Educational institutions are temples of knowledge that require the utmost safety and security. To ensure that, they are implementing safety measures, including the use of personal safety devices. Adoption of such devices is uneven and not well understood. The main focus of the current study is to investigate the adoption of Peace of Mind (POM), a personal safety device, by students at a liberal arts college in the United States. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology served as the theoretical framework. Findings from a sample of 405 students confirmed that performance expectancy, trusting belief, facilitating conditions, and social influence had direct effects on the students’ behavioral intention to use POM. Based on our findings, we discuss concrete implications for various stakeholders such as higher learning institutions and businesses involved in the innovation and diffusion of personal safety devices. We also make specific recommendations for future research.