Expectancy, perceived benefit and perceived cost of new technology : scale development in the context of Chinese textile and apparel firm mangers

Abstract

The textile and apparel industry have been fundamentally changed due to technology development. However, developing countries are falling behind for adopting new technologies, such as China. To explore factors that may influence motivation to adopt new technology, firm managers’ expectancy, perceived benefit and perceived cost of new technology were addressed in this study. However, future literation examination suggested a lack of proper and relevant scales to measure such concepts. Thus, to clearly and effectively understand factors that may influence Chinese T&A firm managers’ motivation to adopt new technology, this study was designed to develop scales that measure firm managers’ expectancy, perceived benefit and perceived cost of new technology adoption. The psychometric method of item response theory was used as the data collection and analysis paradigm for the research. After item generation, item bank development, and psychometric evaluation by 599 Chinese textile and apparel firm managers, valid and reliable scales of firm managers’ expectancy, perceived benefit and perceived cost of new technology were built. The three scales provide a holistic view of firm managers’ concerns in the decide-making process of new technology adoption, which would help research Chinese T&A firm managers’ motivation to adopt new technology and guide textile and apparel industry upgrades in China.