Antecedents of diffusion of contact-tracing apps for infectious disease prevention in Japan: the roles of self-efficacy and privacy perception

Purpose Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT; Venkatesh et al., 2003), this study aims to investigate the antecedents of Japanese people’s intention to adopt contact-tracing applications (apps) and the moderating effects of self-efficacy and perceived privacy on the relationship between the antecedents and adoption intention. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted in 2024 with a sample of 400 Japanese residents aged 20–69 who are active internet users. The subjects were recruited from a consumer panel of a marketing research firm’s panel in Tokyo. Using SPSS and PROCESS Macro, multiple linear regressions and moderation analysis were conducted to test eight research hypotheses. Findings The four proposed antecedents – perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, social influence and trust in government – were significant predictors of contact-tracing app adoption intention. Social influence was the most significant predictor, followed by perceived usefulness of apps, perceived ease of use and trust in government. Next, self-efficacy and perceived privacy significantly moderated the relationship between perceived ease of use and app adoption intention, but not between perceived usefulness and app adoption intention. Originality/value This study identified the possibility of social influence as a means of encouraging contact-tracing apps in Japanese society, as well as the need for a more rigorous examination of the influence of privacy and self-efficacy on the process of technology adoption. The knowledge gained from this study is valuable for exploring potential accelerators of new technology adoption during the pandemic.