The Barriers to Adopting Wireless Control for Emergency Lighting

Abstract

This thesis examines the barriers to adopting wireless control systems for emergency lighting, with a specific focus on Sqippa by HBI Bisscheroux and its acceptance among Dutch maintenance and fire safety companies. Although wireless control offers clear benefits in terms of sustainability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, its market adoption has remained limited. The central objective of this research is to identify the key barriers hindering adoption and to determine how HBI Bisscheroux can implement effective adoption strategies to achieve its goal of registering 30.000 wireless emergency lighting fixtures in Sqippa by 2030. The study is grounded in theories of technology acceptance and innovation diffusion and distinguishes between four categories of adoption barriers: technological, financial, organizational, and psychological. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with maintenance companies, potential customers, and internal HBI stakeholders, as well as a workshop with key employees. These primary data were complemented by secondary sources, including academic literature, industry reports, and regulatory documentation, ensuring triangulation and research validity. The findings indicate that organizational barriers constitute the most significant obstacle to adoption. Many maintenance companies experience difficulty in visualizing the required operational and business model changes associated with wireless control systems. These challenges are reinforced by a conservative and financially sensitive market context, leading to reactive rather than proactive adoption behavior. Technological barriers persist due to misconceptions about system complexity and user-friendliness, while financial barriers, although relevant, appear to be less decisive than initially expected. Psychological barriers, initially perceived as less influential, were found to be strongly interconnected with organizational barriers and therefore critical in the decision-making process. Based on these insights, the thesis recommends a strategic shift toward engaging end users, such as care facilities and industrial sites, who exert influence over maintenance companies’ decisions. Additionally, HBI Bisscheroux should provide structured onboarding and guidance to support both end users and maintenance companies during the adoption process. By addressing the identified barriers in a coherent and supportive manner, HBI can enhance the adoption and retention of its wireless control technology and strengthen its competitive position in a changing market.