Critical realist theory of emotions and older people's challenges in technology adoption: a case study of Lindsay Leg Club volunteers.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the challenges in digital technology adoption among older volunteers in an organisation addressing social isolation. Using Margaret Archer's critical realist theory of emotions as causal commentaries on wider concerns, it investigates why older individuals might reject or need to adapt to digital technology adoption.

Design/methodology/approach: The paper examines a qualitative case study of Lindsay Leg Club (LLC) volunteers through two sequential projects: assessing attitudes towards digital communication technology and understanding motivations for in-person social interactions. In total, 27 interviews were conducted with volunteers in three Leg Clubs to analyse these aspects of the volunteer experience.

Findings: Volunteers' emotional reactions to technology revealed two wider concerns: leaving the role of the Leg Club volunteer, fundamentally grounded in face-to-face social relationships and reflexivity about technology adaptation, underpinned by evaluative decisions about the extent of willingness to engage with change.

Research limitations/implications: The sequential design meant that there was not a complete overlap between participants in both studies. Exact age and sex demographics were not recorded.

Practical implications: The study suggests that technology can be relationally oppressive, so its introduction in organisations focused on in-person support for older people must consider the risks of technological appropriation of social relationships.

Originality/value: Rather than presenting technology introduction as a technical process and emotions as its subjective by-product, the paper uses critical realism to show emotions can represent commentaries on technology's risks to transforming the context of human relationality.