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Cited by 204Technology Adoption and User BehaviourImpact of AI and Big Data on Business and SocietyDigital Transformation in Industry

Adoption of AI-empowered industrial robots in auto component manufacturing companies

Open access
Pillai, Rajasshrie, Sivathanu, Brijesh, Mariani, Marcello, Rana, Nripendra P., Yang, Bai, Dwivedi, Yogesh K.·2022·Production Planning & Control
DOI 10.1080/09537287.2021.1882689
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Abstract

The usage of AI-empowered Industrial Robots (InRos) is booming in the Auto Component Manufacturing Companies (ACMCs) across the globe. Based on a model leveraging the Technology, Organisation, and Environment (TOE) framework, this work examines the adoption of InRos in ACMCs in the context of an emerging economy. This research scrutinises the adoption intention and potential use of InRos in ACMCs through a survey of 460 senior managers and owners of ACMCs in India. The findings indicate that perceived compatibility, external pressure, perceived benefits and support from vendors are critical predictors of InRos adoption intention. Interestingly, the study also reveals that IT infrastructure and government support do not influence InRos adoption intention. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that perceived cost issues negatively moderate the relationship between the adoption intention and potential use of InRos in ACMCs. This study offers a theoretical contribution as it deploys the traditional TOE framework and discovers counter-intuitively that IT resources are not a major driver of technology adoption: as such, it suggests that a more comprehensive framework than the traditional RBV should be adopted. The work provides managerial recommendations for managers, shedding light on the antecedents of adoption intention and potential use of InRos at ACMCs in a country where the adoption of InRos is in a nascent stage.

Verified 2026-10-10 · 2 references not checked yet

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper uses a TOE-based model to examine adoption intention and potential use of AI-empowered industrial robots (InRos) among Indian auto component manufacturing companies (ACMCs). It finds perceived compatibility, perceived benefits, external pressure, and vendor support predict adoption intention, while IT infrastructure and government support do not, and perceived cost issues negatively moderate the intention-to-use relationship.

Key findings

  • In a survey of 460 valid ACMC respondents, perceived compatibility (β=0.195, p<0.05), perceived benefits (β=0.380, p<0.01), external pressure (β=0.244, p<0.01), and support from vendors (β=0.108, p<0.05) significantly predicted InRos adoption intention.
  • IT infrastructure (β=0.284, n.s.) and government support (β=0.273, n.s.) did not significantly influence adoption intention.
  • Adoption intention predicted potential use of InRos (β=0.348, p<0.01), but perceived cost issues negatively moderated that relationship (ADN × COI → PTU, β=-0.105, p<0.01).
  • The model explained 68.9% of variance in adoption intention (R²=.689) and 62.2% of variance in potential use (R²=.622).

Methods

  • Quantitative survey design using the Technology, Organisation, and Environment (TOE) framework, extended with resource-based view considerations, to test eight hypotheses about InRos adoption intention and potential use.
  • Data came from ACMCs in Indian automobile hubs (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and the National Capital Region); 460 questionnaires were suitable for analysis out of 720, with a 63.8% response rate, and data collection took 14 months.
  • Measures were adapted from prior TOE/innovation-adoption literature, pretested with 30 managers and piloted with 110 respondents; analysis used PLS-SEM with SmartPLS 2.0, plus tests for non-response bias (p=0.36), common method bias (single factor 28.62%), and endogeneity.

Limitations

  • Stated: the empirical setting is India, so implications mainly relate to that emerging economy, and InRos adoption drivers may vary across geographic regions or countries; the model could be enriched with constructs such as anthropomorphism, trust, organisational fit, security, perceived values, and control variables such as firm size and industry type; future work should examine other sectors, service contexts, assimilation/implementation/actual usage, and dynamic capabilities.
  • Evident from the text: the study relies on cross-sectional, self-report survey data from managers/owners in Indian ACMCs already using some advanced technology, which limits causal inference and may restrict generalisability beyond this sample and context.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/09537287.2021.1882689

Cites

122 of 126 references verified0 citation errors · 2 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 14 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Perceived benefits is a critical predictor of InRos adoption intention in ACMCs.

    “The findings indicate that perceived compatibility, external pressure, perceived benefits and support from vendors are critical predictors of InRos adoption intention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Government support (GSP) is non-significant towards adoption intention (ADN) of InRos in ACMCs (β=0.273, n.s.).

    “GSP (β= 0.273, n.s.) was found to be non-significant towards ADN of InRos”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “Contrarily to the expected results, government support (GSP) was not found to be statistically significant towards ADN of InRos in ACMCs”
    • Also stated in: § Managerial Implications · plain
      “The study also revealed that IT infrastructure and government support do not influence InRos adoption intention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The proposed model explains 62.2% of the variance in potential use (PTU) of InRos in ACMCs (R2=.622).

    “The high explanatory power of the proposed validated model with independent variables explaining InRos ADN of 68.9% (R 2 =.689) and PTU of 62.2% (R 2 =.622) represents a valuable contribution to the existing body of InRos literature.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Perceived cost issues negatively moderate the relationship between adoption intention and potential use of InRos in ACMCs.

    “Furthermore, the analysis suggests that perceived cost issues negatively moderate the relationship between the adoption intention and potential use of InRos in ACMCs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Government support does not influence InRos adoption intention in ACMCs.

    “Interestingly, the study also reveals that IT infrastructure and government support do not influence InRos adoption intention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 13
  • May combine two claims. 9

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaire were checked using Cronbach's alpha.

    “the Cronbach's alpha was utilised to check the internal consistency and reliability.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In India, the adoption of AI in general and AI-empowered InRos is still in the nascent stage.

    “In India, the adoption of technologies such as AI in general and AI-empowered InRos, are still in the nascent stage (ACMA 2019).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites ACMA 2019

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The validity of the constructs and reliability of the scale was verified for all constructs.

    “The validity of the constructs and reliability of the scale (Fornell and Larcker 1981) was verified for all the constructs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fornell and Larcker 1981

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The InRos adoption in ACMCs is a complex process and an organisational perspective needs to be taken.

    “The InRos adoption in ACMCs is a complex process and an organisational perspective needs to be taken (Müller-abdelrazeq et al. 2019;Turja and Oksanen 2019)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Müller-abdelrazeq et al. 2019

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Turja and Oksanen 2019

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    A total of 460 questionnaires were suitable for data analysis out of 720 questionnaires, with a response rate of 63.8%.

    “On completion of the survey, a total of 460 questionnaires were suitable for data analysis out of 720 questionnaires with a response rate of 63.8%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    TOE framework is appropriate to understand the adoption of innovative solutions embedding a user interface combined with hardware and software, such as InRos.

    “Therefore, TOE is appropriate to understand the adoption of innovative solutions embedding a user interface combined with hardware and software, such as InRos.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    No studies have developed an adoption model of InRos by leveraging an organisational perspective.

    “So far, no studies have developed an adoption model of InRos by leveraging an organisational perspective.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    InRos require unique and customized programming due to the features that ACMC products need to display, and they are used for various production processes such as assembling, painting, welding, packaging, testing and inspection.

    “InRos require unique and customized programming due to the features that the products of the ACMCs need to display and are utilised for various production processes such as assembling, painting, welding, packaging, testing and inspection of production (Graetz and Michaels 2018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Graetz and Michaels 2018

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The required sample size for this research was 50, derived as ten times the number of items in the largest construct.

    “The largest construct in this model was identified and we derived the right sample size as being ten times the number of items considered.Therefore, 50 is the required sample size for this research.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gefen et al. 2000

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There are many benefits associated with adoption of InRos in ACMCs, such as improved production, improved sales revenue, reduced manpower cost, accurate and defect-free products, and higher likelihood to achieve a sustained competitive advantage.

    “There are many benefits pertaining to the adoption of InRos such as improved production, improved sales revenue, reduced manpower cost, accurate and defect-free products, and higher likelihood to achieve a sustained competitive advantage for ACMCs active in the market (Soffar 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Soffar 2019

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The TOE framework does not provide by itself the factors useful to analyse the problem at hand, and it categorizes factors into the respective constructs where adoption of the technology actually happens.

    “The TOE does not provide by itself the factors useful to analyse the problem at hand, and it categorizes the factors into the respective constructs where the adoption of the technology actually happens (Puklavec, Oliveira, and Popovič 2018).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Puklavec, Oliveira, and Popovič 2018

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The total number of complete responses was 460.

    “The total number of complete responses were 460.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The random sampling method was used to collect data from 480 ACMCs.

    “The random sampling method was used to collect the data from 480 ACMCs from the corresponding automobile hubs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    All constructs have high reliability and internal consistency (CR values and outer loadings above 0.6).

    “Based on Table 2, CR values confirm the high level of reliability and internal consistency of all the constructs as the outer loading for all the items were higher than the minimum beginning value of 0.6.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Face validity was confirmed by incorporating suggestions of subject matter experts.

    “The face validity was confirmed by considering and incorporating the suggestions of the subject matter experts and subsequently, the pre-test questionnaire was prepared.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The proposed model was empirically validated.

    “Furthermore, the proposed model is empirically validated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The drivers of adoption of InRos may vary across different geographic regions or countries.

    “However, the drivers of adoption of InRos may vary across different geographic regions or counties.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Because the empirical setting is a specific country (India), the implications of this work are mainly related to the observed emerging economy.

    “First, as the empirical setting is a specific country (i.e., India), the implications of this work are mainly related to the observed emerging economy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    InRos is an advanced technology that can be utilised for manufacturing in ACMCs.

    “InRos is an advanced technology that can be utilised for manufacturing in ACMCs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The proposed research model helps to understand how TOE-related constructs influence the adoption intention and potential use of InRos in ACMCs.

    “Building on TOE, the proposed research model helps to understand how TOE related constructs influence the adoption intention and potential use of InRos in ACMCs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
20 of 20

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Different environmental settings and cultural contexts might affect differently the drivers and outcomes of InRos adoption.

    “However, different environmental settings and cultural contexts might affect differently the drivers and outcomes of InRos adoption.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI-empowered Industrial Robots' adoption is necessary for companies to be competitive in the marketplace.

    “AI-empowered Industrial Robots' adoption is necessary for companies to be competitive in the marketplace.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There are barely a few multinational ACMCs who could afford the use of AI empowered InRos for manufacturing.

    “There are barely a few multinational ACMCs who could afford the use of AI empowered InRos for manufacturing.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The majority of research on advanced industrial manufacturing technologies such as InRos is focused on developed countries in the West rather than emerging economies such as India.

    “the majority of the research related to advanced industrial manufacturing technologies such as InRos is focused on developed countries in the West rather than emerging economies such as India.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Different environmental settings and cultural contexts may generate different results.

    “However, different environmental settings and cultural contexts may generate different results.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most ACMCs are not aware of government schemes and government taxation has created a slowdown in the automation industry.

    “GSP is not a signficant contributor as most of the ACMCs are not aware of the government schemes and even government taxation has created slowdown in the automation industry.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The increased rate of Goods and Services Tax imposed by the Government of India and the automobile market slowdown is a major challenge for ACMCs.

    “Currently, the increased rate of Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed by Government of India (GoI) and the automobile market slowdown is a major challenge for ACMCs.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    InRos is a new technology in India, and there is not much skilled manpower available in ACMCs.

    “InRos is a new technology in India; hence, there is not much skilled manpower available in the ACMCs.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    External pressure is faced by ACMCs due to the globalization of the Indian automobile sector.

    “External pressure is faced by the ACMCs due to the globalization of the Indian automobile sector.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In India, many global customers exist and they expect the usage of advanced technology in manufacturing for accurate and fast production.

    “In India, many global customers exist and they expect the usage of advanced technology in manufacturing for accurate and fast production.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    ACMCs face pressure not just from competitors but also from customers' demand for quick delivery of auto components and products.

    “ACMCs face pressure not just from the competitors but also from customers' demand for quick delivery of the auto components and products.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    InRos vendors are strongly marketing InRos to ACMCs.

    “In this technology-driven manufacturing environment, InRos vendors are strongly marketing InRos to ACMCs.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Managers feel that training and continuous support from InRos vendors are required for better adoption of InRos.

    “Managers feel that training and continuous support from InRos vendors are required for better adoption of InRos.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    InRos boost productivity by automation of various activities in the manufacturing process.

    “InRos boost the productivity by automation of various activities in the manufacturing process.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    InRos improves return on investment.

    “It also improves the return on investment.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    InRos is an innovative and complex technology, and ACMCs require assistance from vendors.

    “InRos is an innovative and complex technology and ACMCs require assistance from vendors.”
16 of 16

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. 10.1108/bl12-2016-0044 · DOI
  2. Baker J., 2011, Information Systems Theory: Explaining and Predicting Our Digital Society
  3. 10.1016/j.ijpe.2020 · DOI
  4. Depietro R., 1990, The Processes of Technological Innovation, 199, 151
  5. 10.17705/100407 · DOI
  6. 10.1162/rest · DOI
  7. Ivanov Stanislav, 2018, Revista Turismo & Desenvolvimento, 1, 1501
  8. Keen P. G. W., 1991, Shaping the Future
  9. 10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119752 · DOI
  10. Nunnally J. C., 1978, Psychometric Theory
  11. Penrose E. T., 1958, The Theory of the Growth of the Firm
  12. 10.1108/jbim-06-2016-0122 · DOI

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Related

Authors
Pillai, R., Sivathanu, B., Mariani, M., Rana, N. P., Yang, B., & Dwivedi, Y. K.
Affiliations
  • Department of Management, Pune Institute of Business Management, Pune, India
  • Sri Balaji University, Pune (IN)
  • University of Reading (GB)
  • University of Bradford (GB)
  • Chongqing Technology and Business University (CN)
  • Swansea University (GB)
Corresponding author
Rana, Nripendra P.
ORCID
Venue
Production Planning & Control
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2021-02-18
Volume
33
Issue
16
Pages
1517-1533
ISSN
  • 0953-7287 (ISSN-L)
  • 1366-5871
DOI
10.1080/09537287.2021.1882689
OpenAlex
W3093090100
Cited by
195
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 52 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
FWCI
23.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Production Planning & Control (publishedVersion)
  • CentAUR (University of Reading) (submittedVersion)
  • Bradford Scholars (University of Bradford) (submittedVersion)
  • Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Impact of AI and Big Data on Business and Society
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering › Digital Transformation in Industry
Keywords
technology adoption, adoption intention, technology-organization-environment framework, perceived compatibility, external pressure, perceived benefits, vendor support, perceived cost, IT infrastructure, government support, emerging economy, India

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