Using UTAUT, TTF, and PR integrating models to evaluate employees’ acceptance and behavioral intention of PHM-based system in the military industry

Prognostics and health management (PHM) is important for industry 4.0 development. However, an investigation of users’ adoption of PHM technology has yet to be undertaken. In order to understand the behavioral intention for adopting PHM technology, this study proposed a PHM user adoption integrated model. The PHM user adoption integrated model brought together the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), task technology fit (TTF), and perceived risk (PR) models. In addition, a PHM-based predictive maintenance system of landing gear for the military industry was implemented in the aeronautic industry. A quantitative analysis was performed. Three hundred participants were recruited for a questionnaire survey. The results showed that task technology fit (TTF), performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC) each had significant effects on user behavioral intention (BI). Performance expectation (PE) was the greatest contributor in this integrated model. However, perceived risk (PR) was found to have no significant influence on user behavioral intention (BI). Consequently, we suggest an adoption strategy of a PHM-based system for the military industry. When developing a PHM system, the results reveal that kept knowledge diffusion, enhanced competency, and increased the willingness of participants from the beginning can improve performance among users who complete the program.