Connecto ergo sum! an exploratory study of the motivations behind the usage of connected objects

The Internet of Things seems about to revolutionize individuals' attitudinal and behavioral patterns and their habits. Increasingly, everyday objects will come with connected features and functions. In this context, it is crucial for companies to study motivations to use connected products and to understand the specific role played by user's connectedness. On the basis of individual interviews with 43 users of various connected objects, this research explores such motivations and proposes a theoretical framework in which desirable attributes, perceived value, and psychological traits play a key role. The results are then discussed from both theoretical and managerial perspectives.