In this bachelor thesis, the focus is on investigating the factors that impact user acceptance of biometric identification at airports and assessing the extent of their influence. Drawing from existing literature, several factors such as the number of flights taken annually, gender, interest in new technologies, importance placed on data privacy, and fear of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic are identified and transformed into testable hypotheses. Through a quantitative survey, a total of 307 individuals are interviewed to empirically examine these factors.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Problem Statement
1.2 Thesis Structure
2 Basics of Biometric Identification
2.1 Definitions and Requirements
2.2 Historical Development
2.3 Types of Biometrics
2.4 Biometric Identification Process
2.5 Data Privacy Issues
3 Biometric Identification at Airports
3.1 Airport Touchpoints
3.2 Biometric Implementation Programs
3.2.1 Biometric Path: Emirates
3.2.2 Biometric Boarding: Lufthansa Group & Star Alliance
3.2.3 Biometric Terminal: Delta Airlines
3.2.4 One ID: IATA
4 User Acceptance of Technology
4.1 Relevance and Measuring Instruments
4.2 Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
4.3 User Acceptance of Biometric Technology at Airports
5 Empirical Research
5.1 Research Approach
5.2 Survey Structure and Question Types
5.3 Statistical Approach
5.4 Presentation of the Results
5.4.1 Demographic Information
5.4.2 H1: Number of Flights Per Year
5.4.3 H2: Gender
5.4.4 H3: Interest in New Technological Devices
5.4.5 H4: Importance of Data Privacy
5.4.6 H5: COVID-19
5.4.7 Open Questions
5.5 Discussion of the Results
5.6 Limitations and Further Research
6 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
The objective of this thesis is to identify the relevant factors influencing the user acceptance of biometric identification at airports and to determine the extent to which these factors impact user acceptance, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Biometric identification processes and their airport implementation.
- Influence of flight frequency on user acceptance.
- Impact of interest in new technology on acceptance levels.
- Significance of data privacy concerns in biometric adoption.
- Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of contactless technologies.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Airport Touchpoints
To understand how biometric identification systems can be incorporated at the airport it is crucial to know the customer's journey at the airport, including the touchpoints that the passenger encounters. The four relevant airport touchpoints will be highlighted by describing a passenger's departure process at the airport.
The passenger enters the airport through the terminal's entrance (Brause et al. 2020, p. 4). In the terminal, check-in counters, baggage drop-off, restaurants and shops can be found. This area is open to public, which implies that any person can enter without having to pass through a security process (Flughafen Köln/Bonn Gmbh 2021a).
The first touchpoint that a departing passenger encounters is the check-in counter and baggage drop-off. At this touchpoint, the passenger is checked-in to his flight and drops off his checked-in luggage item. Nowadays, customers also have the option to check-in to their flight in advance from home, which means that they only need to visit the check-in counter if they need to drop off their checked baggage. Customers can bypass the check-in counter and directly move to the next touchpoint in case they only travel with carry-on luggage (Brause et al. 2020, p. 4).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides the problem statement, context of biometric technology at airports, and the research objectives.
2 Basics of Biometric Identification: Explains fundamental definitions, historical development, various biometric types, and the general identification process.
3 Biometric Identification at Airports: Describes specific airport touchpoints and analyzes real-world biometric implementation programs used by major airlines.
4 User Acceptance of Technology: Introduces theoretical models like UTAUT to analyze how users perceive and accept new technological implementations.
5 Empirical Research: Details the quantitative survey methodology, the statistical approach, and the findings regarding hypothesized influences on acceptance.
6 Conclusion: Synthesizes the research findings, evaluates the formulated hypotheses, and presents implications for airport operators and airlines.
Keywords
Biometrics, Airport Operations, User Acceptance, UTAUT, Data Privacy, COVID-19, Facial Recognition, Fingerprint Identification, Passenger Experience, Contactless Technology, Digital Identity, Aviation Management, Airport Security, Technology Adoption, Biometric Path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this bachelor thesis?
This thesis examines the factors that influence passenger acceptance of biometric identification systems at airports, specifically evaluating how these factors impact user adoption.
Which thematic areas are covered in the research?
The research covers biometric technologies (fingerprint, face, iris), airport passenger processes (touchpoints), technology acceptance theories (UTAUT), and the impact of data privacy and public health measures like COVID-19.
What is the central research question?
The work investigates: "Which factors are relevant for the user acceptance of biometric identification at airports and to what extent do these factors influence the user acceptance?"
What scientific method was applied?
The author conducted a deductive-quantitative empirical study, utilizing an online survey with 307 participants and performing statistical regression analysis to test five specific hypotheses.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body moves from theoretical foundations of biometrics and technology acceptance to specific examples of biometric implementations (e.g., Emirates, Lufthansa, Delta) and finishes with detailed survey results and a critical discussion.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
The primary keywords include Biometrics, User Acceptance, UTAUT, Airport Touchpoints, Data Privacy, COVID-19, and Passenger Process.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence biometric acceptance?
The study concludes that the fear of infection acts as a positive factor in the acceptance of contactless biometric technologies at airports, as passengers prefer non-touch alternatives to traditional security identification.
Why are data privacy concerns considered a barrier in this study?
Regression analysis shows a negative correlation between the importance passengers place on data privacy and their willingness to accept biometric systems, often due to fears of data misuse or sharing with third parties.
- Citar trabajo
- Sophia Ritter (Autor), 2021, User Acceptance of Biometric Identification at Airports, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1372232
