The Rise of the Machines: A study of the Developing Acceptance of Collaborative Robots

Abstract

The constant increase of complexity within the international business (IB) environment is pushing multinational corporations to find new and innovative ways to remain competitive. Collaborative robots (cobots), defined as robots that can interact safely with humans, are deemed to be one of the solutions to this. However, when a new technology enters markets, it has been shown that there can be hindering factors impacting the acceptance of the technology within societies. The purpose of this thesis has been to identify possible factors affecting cobot acceptance and provide a more comprehensive overview of these factors than previous studies have accomplished. In addition, the potential influence of a government on cobot acceptance was touched upon as well as the international spread of this technology. The study was based on secondary data, collecting views from previous researchers and publications, users and producers of cobots, and government officials. The gathered data was then grouped and analyzed in accordance to the variables of this study’s conceptual framework: ​Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions and ​Government Influence​. The results illustrate that cobot acceptance can be affected by several factors related to these variables, such as operational gains and ease of adaption.