Investigating employee acceptance of smart technologies through UTAUT model with self-efficacy as a mediator

Purpose The study aims to investigate the factors influencing employees' intentions to use smart technologies in the hospitality sector using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework with self-efficacy as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach The study targeted employees from the top hotels in India, collecting 297 valid responses through LinkedIn and Facebook. Data analysis involved confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) using validated scales for the constructs. Findings The study found that UTAUT constructs significantly influence hotel employees' intentions to use smart technologies, with self-efficacy acting as a significant mediator. This underscores the importance of psychological factors in driving technology acceptance in the hospitality industry. Research limitations/implications Theoretically, this study address an important gap by highlights the importance of using psychological factors such as self-efficacy in the UTAUT model to investigate employees’ intention to use smart technology. Practically, the findings of this study can help managers go beyond technical skills and focus on psychological and psychosocial factors affecting employees’ technology adoption. Practical implications Practically, the findings of this study can help managers go beyond technical skills and focus on psychological and psychosocial factors affecting employees’ technology adoption. Originality/value The study enriches the UTAUT model by integrating self-efficacy – a psychological construct reflecting individuals' confidence in their ability to perform tasks – as a mediator, to investigate employees’ perspective on intentions to use smart technologies.