The role of culture in the acceptance of elderly towards social assertive robots : how do cultural factors influence the acceptance of elderly people towards social assertive robotics in the Netherlands and Japan?

Abstract

Because of demographic aging in western countries new ways have to be found to deal with the number of elderly and the lack of people in the workforce. Using social assertive robots in nursing homes or elderly homes may provide the solution. Before taking a big step into the future more needs to be known about the acceptance of elderly towards technology. Moreover, does culture play a role to what extent elderly will except robots into their lives? By using three of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in this thesis I will try to compare whether there are differences between the Netherlands and Japan regarding the acceptance of robots by elderly people. Using a comparative case analysis it was shown that some differences can be found but it is not clear whether these difference can be categorized under the dimensions of Hofstede or other cultural factors. Dimensions that are strongly visible in the Netherlands is individualism and in Japan uncertainty avoidance. One thing can be hypothesized from this thesis is that Culture has an influence on the acceptance of elderly people towards social assertive robotics.