The tourism hospitality sector plays a crucial role in economic development through job creation, productivity, and diversifying economic activities, leading to improved standards of living. The emergency of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in recent years has provided businesses with new mechanisms for operations and gaining competitiveness within the domestic and global scope. A significant number of studies have been conducted in recent years to explore the adoption of ICTs by the tourism hospitality firms but have mainly been focusing on the need for ICTs in enhancing business competitiveness. Thus, the current study was set out to examine the factors that influence the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) by the tourism hospitality organisations in Mauritius to fill the existing gap in the literature. The low adoption of IoTs by tourism hospitality firms continues to hurt the hospitality sector in Mauritius as firms continue to lose out on the ability to exploit the benefits of ICTs thus limiting their competitiveness alongside the growing cost of operation and low productivity. Following a quantitative research methodology, a sample of 400 participants will be used from 20 firms from the tourism hospitality industry in Mauritius. Thus, SPSS will be used to summarize and analyse data from surveys. Thus, there is a need for supportive networks from stakeholders and the government in supporting the tourism hospitality sector to successfully adopt IoT and exploit the associated economic and competitive benefits.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
In Mauritius, the tourism hospitality sector today is recognized the pillar of any given economy across the globe and Mauritius is not an exemption. The tourism hospitality sector plays an essential role in the creation of jobs while also ensuring that the economic stability of a nation is stable and sustainable (Roopchund, 2020). Essentially, the tourism hospitality industry in Mauritius is considered as an important element of the contemporary industrialized society. According to Dethine, Enjolras, & Monticolo (2020), in the face of globalization and rapid technological advancement, businesses irrespective of their size are finding themselves in a constantly changing environment which further creates challenges for retaining competitiveness especially for the tourism hospitality sector (Widyastuti & Irwansyah, 2018). Therefore, this requires them to integrate the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to maintain their business operations given that Information technology is widely perceived as a vital tool for enhancing the economy while boosting business efficiency leading to competitiveness.
1.1 Research Setting/Context
The study will be based in the tourism hospitality industry in Mauritius. The sample population for this study will, therefore, include tourism hospitality firms, which will be selected across the country. The hospitality industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Mauritius which indicates the need to implement and adopt ICT based operations. Therefore, the large sample population from the sector will be vital in ensuring that the study generates reliable, relevant, and credible information regarding the factors that influence the adoption of IoT by the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius.
To understand the challenges that are faced by the tourism hospitality sector in the adoption of IoT in the Mauritius, this study will seek to acquire data from several Sun Resorts hotels workers ranging from small to medium levels. A survey will be used to collect the data in order to better understand their perceptions on IoT and challenges and the factors as well.
The findings of the current research will be helpful to the selected organizations and the tourism hospitality sector in general by creating awareness and familiarity about not just the opportunities presented by IoT but also the challenges that continue to hinder their ability to adapt to technological changes. Therefore, this will offer vital insights on how the companies can change their strategies to exploit the opportunities presented by IoT despite their limited resources and capacities to invest in technological business instruments for greater economic gains.
1.2 Research Rationale
The rationale of the research is to examine the existing gap in the literature regarding the challenges that continue to counter efforts by the tourism hospitality sector to embrace the use of technology to achieve operational efficiency and competitive over the large business enterprises. Allam (2020), posits that, compared to large enterprises, tourism hospitality sector organizations are characterized by a limited scope in terms of investment in the Internet of Things (IoT) as part of the ICT system that is crucial in increasing the sustainability of businesses (Narwane et al., 2019). Over the last decade, it has been recognized that the adoption of ICT by businesses has increased rather significantly. Whereas empirical evidence has widely identified the importance of technology integration in boosting the success of the business, the diffusion of IoT among the tourism hospitality sector remains particularly low (Narwane et al., 2019). Therefore, to survive the highly competitive market, there is a necessity for businesses to put more effort in developing and implementing the use of technological tools despite limited funds and resources as typically dominant problems among the tourism hospitality firms. According to Jaddo (2019), it is without a doubt that the tourism hospitality sector is the future of the economy in Mauritius and therefore the low adoption of ICT is worrying and a major threat to the socio-economic well-being of the nation (Roblek, Stok & Mesko, 2016).
To boost the potential of businesses and the competitiveness of the tourism hospitality sector there is a need to identify and understand the factors that affect IoT adoption among the tourism hospitality sector and the most prevailing challenges that they are likely to face to create awareness on mitigation strategies. Thus, the results of the research will inform the Sun Resorts managers on how best to explore the enormous opportunities presented by IoT even with their limited resources and competences.
1.2 Research Objectives
The current research seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- To explore the advantages of IoT adoption by the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius
- To determine the challenges faced by Sun Resorts hotel in the adoption of IoT in Mauritius
- To analyse the reliability of the Technology, organization, and environment context (TOE) model with regards to IoT adoption when applied in the Mauritian tourism setting
1.3 Research Questions
- What are the challenges that affect the adoption of IoT in the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius?
- What strategies should tourism hospitality sector use in the adoption of IoT to mitigate the challenges?
- What is the reliability of the TOE model in regards to the adoption of IoT in the Mauritius tourism sector?
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Internet of Things (IoT) Technology
Balasubramanian & Ragavan (2019) posits that the Internet of Things (IoT) improves network connection by facilitating the communication between devices as well as systems. In recent years, firms have been using smart devices in different ways to enhance operational efficiency and attain competitive advantage. According to Hsu and Lin (2016), the evolution of IoT offers a wide range of services across different sectors including the hospitality industry. IoT continue to change the manner in which individuals interact as well as view technology. IoT is a relatively new paradigm that has gained popularity in today’s technology-driven business landscape, thus there is no consensus with its definition (Sahadut, Bundhoo & Catherine, 2015). Riggins and Wamba (2015) define IoT as the networking of physical devices through the utilization of sensors and technological devices with the ability to collect as well as share information regarding the objects. On the other hand, Roopchund, (2020) defines IoT as the worldwide network comprising of interconnected devices with rather unique identifiers while communicating through the use of standardized protocols. The objects include anything like physical devices or a person with the capability to share data over the network. Similarly, Amer & Alqhtani (2019) defines IoT as the interconnection of the physical things across the globe with the virtual world through the internet, technological platforms and standards are popularly used in enabling interconnections.
According to Hsu and Lin (2018), IoT has presented new and diverse innovations that are applicable in almost every sector. The application of IoT has significant effects on society and the economy in general. IoT represent one of the largest technological disruptions that are focused on improving efficiency and productivity across different sectors (Nadkarni et al., 2019). Brous, Janssen, and Herder, (2019) argue that IoT are everyday objects that provide internet connectivity and therefore allows effective information exchange. Babu & Subramoniam (2016) concludes that the users of IoT as customers and services providers are likely to acquire about 90 per cent value which is aligned to the use of ICT. Customers of any given firm that utilises IoT systems benefit the most through cost-saving, receiving goods of utmost quality and satisfactory services that align with their needs (Navío-Marco, Ruiz-Gómez & Sevilla-Sevilla, 2018).
2.2 IoT importance
The adoption of IoT continues to intensify as a tool for attaining competitive advantage and economic growth. Close to every aspect of contemporary life generates specific sets of data. The IoT continues to take charge of almost every part of life particularly in business by easing operations and ensuring that individuals remain connected with others and to the things that matter to them (Lu, Mao, Wang & Hu, 2015). The utilization of technology in the business landscape has widely been praised based on its ability to boost productivity through fostering operational efficiency. Lee (2019) argues that IoT devices are needed in recording and transferring crucial data that is needed in keeping track of day to day processes while giving crucial insights that are needed to boost productivity while allowing companies to make informed choices based on existing market needs. According to Hsu and Lin (2018), IoT informs organisations on changes in the market without requiring them to mainly depend on cases which ultimately boost their competitiveness.
The incorporation of IoT is a necessity for the growth of the tourism hospitality sector as it ensures that the firms have adequate information to guide their operations. Based on Nadkarni, Kriechbaumer, Rothenberger, and Christodoulidou (2019), the ability to retrieve and analyse data is vital as it ensures that The tourism hospitality sector are able to interact with their customers and thus improve efficiency, minimize the cost of operation, authenticate decision making, identify emerging trends in the market and maximize profit. Kansakar, Munir, and Shabani (2019) illustrates that, as a servicing industry, the success of the firms depends on their ability to satisfy the needs of the consumers. Hence, AlHogail and AlShahrani (2018) hold that to achieve success, there is therefore a necessity to keep track of emerging trends in the market which includes recognizing the expectations and changing needs among their customers. Thus, IoT help in ensuring that the companies are aware and familiar with the changes to strategically make decisions that support their competitiveness.
As established by Car, Stifanich, and Šimunić (2019) one of the main benefits of IoT is that it promotes continuous customer engagement. The incorporation of smart products is likely to increase users’ ability to remain connected and control devices through the use of the internet and networking connections (Kansakar, Munir & Shabani, 2019). The same communication competences can in turn be utilised in monitoring as well as providing active support to operational processes. Equally, Hsu and Yeh, (2017) agree that IoT creates diverse data streams that allow companies to gain better understandings into the most effective operational practices as well as the use of its services and products. By understanding the needs of the customers, allows servicing companies to satisfy their needs leading to improved customer experiences. Prud’homme and Raymond (2013) assert that customers are mainly attached to firms that prioritize their needs over the maximization of profit in general. In this context, the use of IoT helps in ensuring that the firms deliver the best possible services to their customers in a timely manner (Kruja, Hysa, Duman & Tafaj, 2019). Consumers’ needs and expectations are changing rather fast which therefore implies firms’ needs to adapt first to these changes as a way of achieving efficiency and competitive advantage.
Roblek, Stok, and Mesko (2016) established that, in the hospitality sector, IoT mainly involves a reduction in conflict in the customers’ experiences by assisting them to interact with the services provided. For example, there is a growing trend for virtual bookings and therefore, the tourism hospitality sector needs to ensure that they have reliable virtual connections that align with the expectations of their customers. As illustrated by Ives, Palese, and Rodriguez (2016) large organisations tend to retain more efficiency in terms of technology use, as they focus on the needs of the customers. However, the tourism hospitality sector lacks the flexibility of adapting quickly to changes due to the lack of vast resources. Kwon, Bae, and Blum (2013) findings indicate that IoT additionally helps the tourism hospitality sector in reducing their operational cost leading to increased profitability. Operational efficiency leads to increased productivity and reduced operating expenses as a result of using IoT (Ivanov et al. 2019).
2.3 Challenges when adopting IoT
IoT has widely been cited as a crucial force in enabling the tourism hospitality sector to achieve competitiveness, increased production, low cost of operation, and efficiency, the adoption of IoT systems remains low in Mauritius as depicted in the hospitality sector. The tourism hospitality sector contributes up to 40 percent of the nation’s GDP and they account for 54.6 per cent of the overall employment (Government Mauritius, n.d). In this context, the tourism hospitality sector can potentially become an economic pillar in the near future as they play a significant role in building the economy and stirring growth (Nguyen & Simkin, 2017). However, the enterprises encounter numerous problems in their day to day ventures as they try to adopt new measures and invent new approaches to enhancing their competitiveness such as legal and privacy issues.
2.3.1 High-Cost of Adoption
Rosman and Stuhura (2013) theorise that large organisations retain a substantial range of resources that allow them to conveniently and successfully adopt ICT systems. However, the tourism hospitality sector is limited by financial and human resources that are vital in the adoption of ICT systems (Hsu & Lin, 2018). The lack of financing is one of the main issues that continue to affect ICT adoption among the tourism hospitality sector. Large companies have a reliable network of support that provides guidance and financial support to the companies (Yildirim, 2019). The tourism hospitality sector has limited collateral security and this hinders their ability to acquire loans and those that are successful suffer from the high-interest rates which further their financial troubles.
For the tourism hospitality sector, it is not about the most effective IoT systems rather it involves adopting the most convenient and yet cost-effective system. Most of the firms in the tourism hospitality industry exist as either small or medium enterprises meaning that they are limited in terms of finances. The firms’ revenue generation is limited as they tend to focus on the minimization of expenses to enhance their profit (Pencarelli, 2019). Therefore, the adoption of IoT systems tends to perceived as a luxury rather than a necessity since it affects profit generation. The challenge is further complicated by the inability to access loans from financial institutions as they are deemed as incapable based on their limited resources.
2.3.2 Administrative Structure
Haseeb, Hussain, Ślusarczyk, and Jermsittiparsert (2019) identified the dominant lack of ICT knowledge and skilfulness as an additional factor that hinders the tourism hospitality sector from adopting IoT systems in Mauritius. It is worth noting that in the tourism hospitality sector most of the management operations are controlled by one individual particularly the sole proprietor (Tabane, Zuva & Ngwira, 2015). The proprietor is responsible for making operational and entrepreneurial decisions, which in turn determine the strategic focus of the company (Hecht, Mayier & Perakslis, 2014). The lack of skilfulness and professional training with respect to strategic business operations affects efficiency. Kim, Park, and Choi (2017) highlight that most the tourism hospitality sector is identical since the firms imitate the approaches adopted by others rather than inventing their own techniques. Rather than focusing on the existing needs in the market, the companies mainly rely on following existing trends which affect their ability to recognize and respond effectively to changes (Tussyadiah, 2020). The lack of knowledge further creates marketing challenges as the firms are unable to identify and take advantage of emerging opportunities (Guo, Liu & Chai, 2014). Marketing has to be aligned with the expectations and needs of the customers and the inability to apply this knowledge significantly affects the competitiveness of the organisations.
2.3.3 Security, Privacy and Legal issues
According to Maple (2017), privacy and legal uncertainties also affects the adoption and utilization of IoT among firms in the tourism hospitality sector. Most Internet online business in the tourism hospitality sector across Mauritius operates within the domestic scope unlike other sectors where companies operate within the global scope (Aleisa & Renaud, 2017; Losavio, Chow, Koltay, & James, 2018). In spite of the fact that there might be different reasons, for example, the utilization of local money, legal regulations and administrative challenges are some important factors that affect the adoption of IoT in the industry (Kumar, Kunwar & Sachan, 2016). Legal vulnerabilities and clashing administrative practices may influence the adoption of IoT. It is without a doubt that companies have the responsibility to protect the customers’ data by implementing measures for enhancing confidentiality and privacy (Cha, Hsu, Xian & Yeh, 2018; Zheng, Cai & Li, 2018). However, the Internet of Things which mainly involves relying on internet-based systems creates the vulnerability for hacking which further creates fear among stakeholders in the tourism hospitality industry (Padyab & Ståhlbröst, 2018). Sun resorts has implemented GDPR and they work with tourism mainly EU citizen. EU GDPR law commenced as at 25 May 2018 and as it is residing in Mauritius, they abide with Mauritius Data Protection Act 2017. There are legal uncertainties regarding the consequences that the firms might face or regulations and guidelines to direct the firms in the adoption (Aleisa, & Renaud, 2017; Pagallo, Durante, & Monteleone, 2017). Therefore, the lack of a clear legal infrastructure and privacy issues significantly affect the willingness and readiness among tourism hospitality firms to adopt the IoT systems (Yaqoob et al., 2019).
2.3.4 Size, Government Support and Technological Infrastructure
Technology adoption is dependent on the size of the firm and its administrative structure. Most firms in the tourism industry exist as small and medium enterprises which imply that their sizes hinder the adoption of IoT systems. Technological adoption entails the process, through which innovation is normally communicated through the use of specific channels over a time period among individuals belonging to a specific social system. In the adoption of ICT, the focus must be placed on innovation. In that, the context needs to be placed on whether IoTs systems provide greater value compared to existing tools (Pencarelli, 2019). The value of any adoption has to be greater and compatible with existing practices. The tourism hospitality sector is late adopters of technology based on the perception that it is expensive and therefore not compatible with their needs (Car, Stifanich & Šimunić 2019). Even though they understand that technology is beneficial to their business they tend to focus on the complex operational issues instead of the tools that might be useful in addressing the challenges since they are conservatives (De Cremer, Nguyen & Simkin, 2017). The tourism hospitality sector tends to dwell on their challenges rather than potential capabilities that disrupt their overall focus.
The lack of developing ICT infrastructure is actually one of the leading problems that the tourism hospitality sector face in Mauritius which hinders service delivery and operational efficiency. Most of the tourism hospitality firms have opted to use basic communication systems as a way of operating under the least expense. The process of adopting IoT is rather complex since it requires not just the acquisition of equipment but also the need to hire and train employees on the use of ICT systems (Car, Stifanich & Šimunić 2019). The lack of government support and coordination among stakeholders is responsible for poor ICT infrastructural development and this severely affects the willingness and readiness of the companies to adopt IoT. Even though the government has in the recent demonstrated its support to the adoption of technological system by organisations, minimal effort has in turn been placed in allowing firms that are limited by resources to adopt the systems as a whole.
2.3.5 Negative Perception of IoT systems
Perceived usefulness and ease of technology use are the main determinants of adoption (Buhalis et al., 2019). In the case that people perceive technology to be useful, this significantly boosts their willingness and readiness to adopt. However, if the user is perceived to be complex in nature, they are therefore likely to be less willing to use it citing that it will generate major issues (Hsu and Lin, 2016). If the use of technology is characterised by less effort, this promotes usefulness and creates a rather positive attitude towards the system. Performance plays an integral role in facilitating the adoption in general. If the technology is perceived as one that is likely to result in increased productivity and efficiency, this will fuel a decision making towards its adoption (Benckendorff, Xiang & Sheldon, 2019). However, the final decision is determined on the degree of effort that the system will require to achieve the set success. Therefore, the overall effectiveness of the technology alongside the standards of applications is responsible for the slow IoT adoption by the tourism hospitality sector (Filimonau & Delysia, 2019). The tourism hospitality sector is affected by the belief that technological use in business is complex in nature and less effective in a setting that has limited resources (Buhalis & Leung, 2018). The belief blocks their ability to see the potential benefits of the system in enhancing operational efficiency.
2.4 Conceptual Framework
Several theories and models have emerged in the quest to explore the factors responsible for influencing IoT adoption among the tourism hospitality sector. The factors are technological based, psychological, and industrial driven. Thus, this indicates the suitability of Technology, organization, and environment context (TOE).
2.5 Technology, organization, and environment context (TOE)
The TOE conceptual framework for the adoption of technology was created by Tornatzky and Fleischer in 1990. It recognizes three parts of a business venture's setting those impacts the process of technological adoption including: Technology, organizational, and the environment. (a) Technological setting depicts both the inside and outer forces applicable to the firm. This incorporates current practices and resources owned by the firm, in addition to the availability of technological systems outside to the firm (Tornatzky and Fleischer, 1990). (b) Organizational setting alludes to engaging measures about the association, for example, degree, size, and administrative structure (Tornatzky and Fleischer, 1990). (c) Environmental context is the field where a firm leads its business—its industry, business rivals, and alliances with the government (Tornatzky and Fleischer, 1990).
The TOE structure as initially introduced, and later adjusted in IT adoption in the business world considers, gives a helpful diagnostic system that can be utilized for contemplating and making effective decisions on IT advancement (Salleh & Janczewski, 2016). The TOE system has a strong hypothetical premise that aligns the ideas behind the diffusion model. These are indistinguishable from the innovation and association setting of the TOE system, yet the TOE structure likewise incorporates another and significant part, condition setting (Kumar & Krishnamoorthy, 2020).
In summary, there is an apparent gap in literature with regard to the factors that continue to hinder the adoption of IoT systems among the tourism hospitality sector in the hospitality industry across Mauritius. The findings of this research will be vital in creating awareness among The tourism hospitality sector that are striving to adopt IoT by identifying measures to take to mitigate the lack of resourcefulness. The empirical evidence will additionally guide future studies on exploring the challenges faced by the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius while adopting technology.
2.6 Hypotheses
With respect to the findings of research, most firms in the tourism hospitality industry across Mauritius are unable to adopt IoT systems due to their sizes, cost, administrative structure, technological availability and government regulation. Limited resources the firms have minimal access to new technologies such as computers and the internet. Therefore, the hypotheses followed by the study are as follows:
H1: There is poor administrative structure and high cost affects the adoption of IoT in the Mauritius tourism sector
H2: There is lack of technological structure and government support limits the adoption of IoT systems by the tourism hospitality sector
H3: There is technological availability of IoT systems for adoption in the tourism hospitality sector
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN
Technology Context
- IoT security and privacy affects the utilisation and adoption by the Mauritius tourism hospitality sector.
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
- The unavailability of customised technological options for the Mauritius in the tourism hospitality sector affects IoT adoption.
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
- Lack of awareness on the application of IoT systems leads to low level of IoT adoption in the Mauritiustourism hospitality sector?
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
Organization Context
- The resources limitation among enterprises in the Mauritius tourism hospitality industry affects the adoption of IoT
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
- The high cost of IoT adoption deters willingness and readiness for technological advancement among tourism firms in Mauritius.
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
- Administrative structures and management practices are the main hinderances in the adoption of IoT in the Mauritius in the tourism hospitality sector?
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
Environment Context
- Government regulation on IoT development and management affects the adoption of IoT systems in the Mauritius in the tourism hospitality sector.
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
- Lack of well-established technological infrastructure impacts IoT adoption in the Mauritius in the tourism hospitality sector.
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
- Negative perception towards IoT benefits to the tourism hospitality sector limits the adoptipon of technological systems.
Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY3.1 Introduction
As illustrated by the title, this section provides an in-depth discussion of the research methodology adopted by the research. In detail, the researcher provides an outline of the research methodology, research philosophy, sample population, data analysis, ethical considerations, and research limitations.
3.1.1 Research Aims and Objectives
Quantitative data collected through surveys will be used for statistical analysis. The objective of the research is to establish the following in relation to the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius.
1. To explore the advantages of IoT adoption by the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius
2. To determine the challenges faced by Sun Resorts hotel in the adoption of IoT in Mauritius
3. To analyse the reliability of the Technology, organization, and environment context (TOE) model with regards to IoT adoption when applied in the Mauritian tourism setting
3.2 Research Methodology
To effectively satisfy the objective of the research which is to determine the factors that affect the adoption of IoT by the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius a quantitative approach was undertaken. The main benefits of a quantitative approach are that it is suitable for a large sample population and the outcomes are measurable and quantifiable. Also, the method does not limit the scope of the researcher and it allows the researcher to collect data that was not anticipated. In addition, the approach helps in avoiding biases from the personal interpretations of the researcher which might affect the credibility of the study (Basias and Pollalis, 2018). The approach, therefore, ensures that maximum data is acquired regarding the support in alignment with the objectives of the research. However, it is worth noting that the effectiveness of a quantitative research approach is dependent on the skills and abilities of the researcher for the outcomes to be considered as reliable (Basias and Pollalis, 2018). Descriptive research design is focused on accurately and methodically describing the research population and population (Pal, 2017). The design is reliable in investigating more than a single variable. As the research targets 20 firms in the tourism hospitality sector and therefore the number of participants might be larger hence, a quantitative research methodology was deemed more appropriate.
3.3 Research Philosophy
The research philosophy that guided the research is an inductive approach. An inductive approach is a logical reasoning process whereby different premises that are all perceived as true or are found to be true in most cases are combined in order to develop specific conclusions. Inductive reasoning is normally utilised in predicting behaviours. According to this philosophy, the researcher starts the research process by making specific observations which lead to the generation of theories and related conclusion. The reason behind the adoption of an inductive research approach is that it considers the context of the study where research effort lies and is suitable for small samples that lead to producing quantitative data (Gentles et al., 2015). In this context, the philosophy helps in narrowing down the scope of the research based on the objective of research even though the outcomes are not generalizable to the wider population.
3.4 Sample Population and Sampling
The study applied purposive sampling to select the right research sample. Purposive sampling is a non-probability sampling approach in which the sample members are normally selected on the ground of their knowledge, relationships with the research subject, and expertise (Durbarry, 2017). Thus, for the current research, the sample members selected are the ones that have direct involvement in the tourism hospitality sector hospitality industry in Mauritius. The tourism hospitality sector has sufficient and active involvement in the industry which thus places them in a suitable position to provide relevant and reliable information about the industry and the factors that affect IoT adoption by the tourism hospitality sector. In this context, a sample of 20 the tourism hospitality sector was selected to participate in the study. The businesses selected are those that have been in operation for 5 or more years in the hospitality industry as the tourism hospitality sector since experience and knowledge of how the industry operates are critical in gathering adequate information.
3.5 Data Collection Methods and Instruments
For the objective of the study, online surveys will be used as a data collection tool for the research. A semi-structured questionnaire will be used as a guide for the survey. A survey was selected based on its ease of use, convenience, and ability to obtain maximum information (Fryer, Larson-Hall and Stewart, 2018). To maximize information acquired from the participants while ensuring that the research does not deviate from its objectives the questionnaire will contain closed-ended questions (Gentles et al., 2015).
3.6 Ethical Procedures
Adequate ethical procedures were ensured by providing confidentiality to the participants. The responses were treated as anonymous as no personal data was collected such as their names, company they work for, phone number, email, or address. The approach helps in enhancing their confidence and thus generating more reliable responses (Durbarry, 2017).
3.7 Research Limitations
The main limitation faced by the research is a small study sample. In generating generalizable and reliable results, a larger sample would have been appropriate. However, the limitation will be mitigated by using a quantitative approach as the outcomes are quantifiable and measurable hence reliable.
3.8 Results and Findings
In analysing quantitative data generated from the survey, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) will be used to assess the factors that impact the adoption of IoT in the tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius. SPSS refers to a set of programming programs that are joined together in a solitary bundle. The method will involve descriptive statistical analysis and representation using charts, graphs, standard deviation and modes. This information can be utilized for statistical surveying, reviews and information mining. The approach was selected as it is useful for generating comparable data that can in turn be generalized to the larger tourism hospitality sector in Mauritius.
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