A cross-cultural exploration of smart home energy devices and community well-being

Mishra, Prakarsh; Fennell, Jac; Dragojlovic-Oliveira, Sonja; Chatzimichali, Anna

Abstract

This study explores the role of smart home energy devices in Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) and their impact on culture and community well-being. Through a comprehensive seven-step methodology, we analyze the features of HEMS that enhance individual and community well-being across various cultural dimensions. Our findings highlight the significant influence of cultural values on the adoption and usage of smart home energy devices. In individualistic cultures, HEMS prioritize control, convenience, and energy-cost savings for individual well-being, while in collectivist cultures, HEMS focus on social contribution, status enhancement, and energy resilience for community well-being. This study represents an initial step in building a knowledge base to inform the design and promotion of culturally-appropriate and effective devices. By considering diverse cultural needs and values, we aim to contribute to the development of HEMS that better align with different cultural contexts, ultimately enhancing overall well-being.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: International Symposium on Technology and Society, Proceedings
• Start Date: Sep 13, 2023
• End Date: Sep 15, 2023
• Acceptance Date: Jun 9, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 7, 2023
• Publication Date: Nov 7, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 8, 2025
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Book Title: 2023 IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS)
• ISBN: 9798350324877
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/istas57930.2023.10306140
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11095074