Short answer

Prioritize the adaptation and integration of existing, familiar technologies over the wholesale adoption of new, complex systems when designing solutions for resource-constrained traditional retailers.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity (2023)
Method: Qualitative case study
Evidence: Moderate effect

Traditional retailers can achieve significant performance gains by creatively adapting readily available technologies to their specific operational needs and resource constraints. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity. Using Qualitative case study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the adaptation and integration of existing, familiar technologies over the wholesale adoption of new, complex systems when designing solutions for resource-constrained traditional retailers.

Study

Innovation & DesignRecentModerate effect

Adapting Existing Tech Boosts Traditional Retail Performance

Traditional retailers can achieve significant performance gains by creatively adapting readily available technologies to their specific operational needs and resource constraints.

Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity · 2023

Key Findings

01Traditional retailers often adapt existing technologies by combining them with local conditions or improving their functionality.
02Examples of adaptation include using PoS systems with printers and scanners, combining mobile apps with PoS for mPoS functionality, and using adapted EDC machines for digital transactions.
03Successful technology adaptation is linked to task-technology fit, which is supported by retailer awareness, strong partnerships with tech providers, and perceived technical competence.
04Expected performance improvements include clearer inventory data, increased revenue, and time savings.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing for traditional retailers, explore how existing tools (like basic PoS, mobile phones, or common payment devices) can be combined or slightly modified to achieve desired functionalities, rather than proposing entirely new systems.

Project actions

01Consider how existing, low-cost technologies can be combined or modified for a specific user group.
02Focus on the 'fit' between the technology and the user's tasks and environment.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can traditional retailers in emerging markets effectively adapt existing technologies to improve business performance?

MethodQualitative case study

ProcedureThe study involved a qualitative investigation of traditional retailers in a developing country to understand their approaches to technology adoption and adaptation.

ContextTraditional retail sector in emerging markets

Variables

IV["Adaptation of existing technologies","Combinations of technologies","Improvements to existing technologies"]

DV["Business performance (inventory clarity, revenue, time savings)","Utilization of adapted technology"]

CV["Retailer awareness","Partnerships with technology providers","Perceived technical competence","Limited resources","Unique additional services"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Applies a relevant theoretical framework (TPC) to a novel context (traditional retailers in emerging markets).
+Provides concrete examples of technology adaptation.

Limitations

The specific adaptations found may be unique to the cultural and economic context of the emerging market studied.

Reliability & validity

The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but may limit generalizability. Triangulation of data sources and member checking would enhance reliability and validity.

Think critically

To what extent does the 'familiarity' of technology in an emerging market differ from that in a developed market, and how might this impact the transferability of these adaptation strategies?

Design Principles

"Leverage and adapt existing technological affordances to meet specific user needs and contextual constraints."

This research highlights that innovation in traditional retail doesn't always require adopting the latest, most expensive solutions. Instead, a strategic approach to modifying and integrating existing technologies can lead to improved efficiency, revenue, and data management, even with limited resources.

What This Means for Your Design

Small shops can make their business better by cleverly using and changing the technology they already have, like combining a simple cash register system with a barcode scanner, instead of buying expensive new machines.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying the choice to adapt existing technologies or when exploring how to make technology accessible and effective for users with limited resources or technical expertise.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Isharyani et al. (2023) indicates that traditional retailers in emerging markets achieve performance improvements by adapting existing technologies, such as combining PoS systems with printers and scanners. This suggests that design solutions should prioritize modularity and the creative integration of familiar tools to meet specific operational needs and resource constraints.

Source

Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity

Retail technology adaptation in traditional retailers: A technology-to-performance chain perspective

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about adapting existing tech boosts traditional retail performance?: Prioritize the adaptation and integration of existing, familiar technologies over the wholesale adoption of new, complex systems when designing solutions for resource-constrained traditional retailers. Evidence: Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity (2023).
Why does "Adapting Existing Tech Boosts Traditional Retail Performance" matter for design?: This research highlights that innovation in traditional retail doesn't always require adopting the latest, most expensive solutions. Instead, a strategic approach to modifying and integrating existing technologies can lead to improved efficiency, revenue, and data management, even with limited resources.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize the adaptation and integration of existing, familiar technologies over the wholesale adoption of new, complex systems when designing solutions for resource-constrained traditional retailers.
What were the main findings?: Traditional retailers often adapt existing technologies by combining them with local conditions or improving their functionality.. Examples of adaptation include using PoS systems with printers and scanners, combining mobile apps with PoS for mPoS functionality, and using adapted EDC machines for digital transactions.. Successful technology adaptation is linked to task-technology fit, which is supported by retailer awareness, strong partnerships with tech providers, and perceived technical competence.. Expected performance improvements include clearer inventory data, increased revenue, and time savings.
What research method was used?: Qualitative case study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing for traditional retailers, explore how existing tools (like basic PoS, mobile phones, or common payment devices) can be combined or slightly modified to achieve desired functionalities, rather than proposing entirely new systems.
What are the limitations?: Findings are specific to emerging markets and may not directly translate to highly developed markets with different technological infrastructures and consumer expectations.