Robots onboard? Investigating what individual predispositions and attitudes influence the reactions of museums’ employees towards the adoption of social robots

Abstract

The digital transformation is affecting museums. New technologies such as applications, beacons, QR codes, virtual guides, holograms, touchscreens, and augmented reality are commonly adopted. Although much research was conducted on how visitors perceived the adoption of new technologies by museums, little is known about the reaction of the staff. Individual predispositions such as resistance to change, AI anxiety, and attitudes towards robots were used as the independent variables. This paper presents the research conducted on 220 museum employees. The results suggest that museum staff react to the decision on the adoption of social robots cognitively, emotionally, and behaviourally. Negative cognitive reactions are elicited by earlier negative attitudes towards interactions with robots. Negative emotional reactions are associated with earlier negative attitudes towards interactions with robots and the fear of being replaced. Ultimately, behavioural reactions are elicited by all of the above along with the anxiety of learning new technological skills.