Scenario-based solutions for implementing an internet of things system at the organizational level in small- and medium-sized enterprises

BACKGROUND: Despite the great potential that technical solutions, based on the Internet of Things (IoT), offer for companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), companies are hesitant to implement such solutions. Reasons for this lie in the resulting far-reaching change, which particularly affects working activities and communication between employees and IoT objects in their environment. OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to investigate (1) how the implementation of an IoT solution, consisting of multiple objects, might be integrated into daily working activities; (2) what reactions might occur at the individual level; and (3) what structural conditions should be established at the organizational level. METHODS: We applied a scenario-based design. Specifically, we conducted interviews to develop personas and scenarios describing human–machine interactions during implementation of the IoT solution in an initial phase. RESULTS: Regarding changing work activities, we identified three structural conditions that facilitate the implementation of IoT in SMEs: (1) the development of a support unit that bundles communication and training activities as well as internal and external knowledge; (2) the planning of an appropriate testing and adoption phase that enables participation and feedback; and (3) the creation of an incentive structure that includes social reward, empowerment, and recognition. CONCLUSION: IoT gives employees enhanced access to resources, information, and feedback, supporting an efficient way of working. To successfully implement IoT solutions, companies, especially SMEs, must actively address organizational change and empower their employees to manage technological innovations at an early stage.