User Acceptance of Voice-Enabled Inventory Systems in Nigeria's Retail Sector: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model Perspective

Résumé

Despite the potential of efficiency gains for Nigerian retailers, linguistic diversity (over 500 languages) and organization uncertainty (defective electricity and internet connectivity) challenge adoption. This conceptual paper develops an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to explain the user acceptance of voice-enabled inventory systems in the Nigerian retail sector. The paper provides a synthesis of existing literature on TAM, voice technology adoption and Nigerian retail context. A conceptual model is proposed, including Technological Infrastructure and Socio-Cultural Factors (accent recognition, oral traditions, trust) as external variables. Seven propositions are formulated: (P1) Technological Infrastructure positively affects Perceived Usefulness; (P2) Technological Infrastructure positively effects on Perceived Ease of Use; (P3)  Accent recognition ability has a positive effect on P4 Perceived Ease of Use; Cultural oral traditions have a positive effect on P5: Perceived Ease of Use; P6: Perceived Ease of Use has a positive influence on Perceived Usefulness; P7: Perceived Usefulness has a positive influence on Behavioral Intention. This paper makes three theoretical contributions: (1) extending TAM to include infrastructure instability as an antecedent variable; (2) introducing accent recognition as a novel determinant of Perceived Ease of Use in linguistically diverse contexts; (3) theorizing the dual effect of oral traditions on technology adoption. This framework provides a basis for future empirical testing in developing economy retail settings.