{"title":"Psychological resistance or seeking values? Exploring the role of technology paternalism on consumers’ willingness to intelligent vehicle purchase","authors":"Tu Lyu , Qixiang Geng , Hao Chen , Mingxiang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.trf.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study employs social exchange theory as a foundational framework to develop a research model that explores the key factors influencing users’ willingness to purchase intelligent vehicles (IVs) through the lens of technology paternalism (TP). We collected 271 valid responses and validated the research model using the PLS-SEM approach. The results indicated that: (1) Autonomy is essential for shaping users’ perceptions of TP in the context of IVs. (2) The three dimensions of TP have different mechanisms of action, in which limiting user freedom and lack of overruling prospects lead to psychological resistance, and welfare intentions enhance users’ perceived value. Psychological resistance positively influences users’ intention to purchase IVs and adopt smart driving technology (SDT); in contrast, perceived value negatively influences users’ intention to purchase IVs and adopt SDT. Furthermore, perceived explainability negatively moderated the relationship between TP and psychological resistance. (3) Significant gender differences were found regarding the impact of technological paternalism on users’ willingness to purchase IVs and adopt SDT. This study offers theoretical and practical recommendations for enterprises and governments promoting IVs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48355,"journal":{"name":"Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour","volume":"114 ","pages":"Pages 182-199"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847825002013","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, APPLIED","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study employs social exchange theory as a foundational framework to develop a research model that explores the key factors influencing users’ willingness to purchase intelligent vehicles (IVs) through the lens of technology paternalism (TP). We collected 271 valid responses and validated the research model using the PLS-SEM approach. The results indicated that: (1) Autonomy is essential for shaping users’ perceptions of TP in the context of IVs. (2) The three dimensions of TP have different mechanisms of action, in which limiting user freedom and lack of overruling prospects lead to psychological resistance, and welfare intentions enhance users’ perceived value. Psychological resistance positively influences users’ intention to purchase IVs and adopt smart driving technology (SDT); in contrast, perceived value negatively influences users’ intention to purchase IVs and adopt SDT. Furthermore, perceived explainability negatively moderated the relationship between TP and psychological resistance. (3) Significant gender differences were found regarding the impact of technological paternalism on users’ willingness to purchase IVs and adopt SDT. This study offers theoretical and practical recommendations for enterprises and governments promoting IVs.
期刊介绍:
Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour focuses on the behavioural and psychological aspects of traffic and transport. The aim of the journal is to enhance theory development, improve the quality of empirical studies and to stimulate the application of research findings in practice. TRF provides a focus and a means of communication for the considerable amount of research activities that are now being carried out in this field. The journal provides a forum for transportation researchers, psychologists, ergonomists, engineers and policy-makers with an interest in traffic and transport psychology.