Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Smart Cities Transformation by Residents: A Case Study of Bang Kaew Sub-District Municipality, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand

Abstract

Background and Aims: A Smart City is a city that makes use of innovation and technology to increase the efficiency of city management and provide good service under the concept of a livable and modern city to respond to the good quality of life of people in each area. This research has the objectives to 1) Study the factors affecting the acceptance of Smart City by residents at Bang Kaew Subdistrict Municipality, Samut Prakan Province, and 2) Be a guideline for developing Smart City, Bang Kaew Subdistrict Municipality, Samut Prakan.

Methodology: This research is quantitative. The sample group used in the research is 300 residents of Bang Kaew Subdistrict Municipality, Samut Prakan Province, using the appropriate method according to the principles of structural model analysis and structural equation model analysis. The tool used to collect data is a questionnaire using a closed-ended question format. The statistics used in data analysis are: 1. Percentage 2. Frequency distribution 3. Calculation of mean 4. Standard deviation

Results: 1. The direct factors affecting the intention to use are attitude factors towards use and risk perception factors, which have a direct effect on the intention to use factor at 79.2 percent. 2. The indirect factors affecting the intention to use are the factor of perceived benefits to be received and the factor of perceived ease of use, which together have a direct effect on the attitude factor towards use at 88.1 percent. The factor of perceived ease of use also has a direct effect on the factor of perceived benefits to be received.

Conclusion: The results of this research show that the acceptance of Smart City transformation is an important part of reaching out to local people with clear policies that are transparent and verifiable so that people can better understand the importance of urban development, be aware of the benefits they will receive, participate in urban development, and be aware of the ease of access and use of various tools resulting from development that will be able to provide maximum benefits to people in the future development of Smart City.