Risks and challenges to use robots: from the business law perspectives

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the risks and business law-related challenges along with the determinants that would impact the robot usages for household purposes. This study attracts attention of the regulators with different regulatory issues and business challenges that domestic robots could pose to the existing legal frameworks. Design/methodology/approach With the inputs from the studies of literature, legal business cases and from the studies of different adoption models and theories, a few hypotheses have been formulated, and a conceptual model has been developed with the consideration of the influence of risk factor as a moderator that affects the use of robots. The hypotheses have been tested, and the model has been validated by the help of Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modelling methodology with the help of analysis of data available through quantification of feedback of respondents using a five-point Likert scale. Findings The studies reveal that there are various business and legal challenges along with social and personal norms that impact the intention to use robots by the individuals for their household purposes and these predictor–intention relations are considerably and legally affected by a moderator, perceived risk. Also, this study highlights some of the business law-related challenges to use robots. Research limitations/implications This study has proposed a theoretical model which was validated. The validated model would act as an ideal model which has provided many inputs to the practitioners for reducing the risk factor to enhance the intention to use robots minimizing the business-related challenges. The study findings could be used to business community as well as to the legal fraternity. Originality/value A few studies are there to consider the effects of risk factor as a moderator on the linkages of the predictor–intention relations. In this context, this study may be considered to offer a novel contribution. Also, not many studies have investigated the use of robots from business law perspectives which is also another unique contribution by this study.