Understanding Gen Y & Z Preferences for Smart Homes: What's the Challenge? A Thematic Analysis of Developers and End-Users in Smart Cities

Nur Mustofa  Kamal; Sri  Yusriani; Kabul Wahyu Utomo; Endi Rekarti; Prasetyo  Harisandi

doi:10.47747/icbem.v3i1.3289

Authors

Nur Mustofa Kamal Universitas Terbuka
Sri Yusriani Universiti Sains Malaysia
Kabul Wahyu Utomo Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University)
Endi Rekarti Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University)
Prasetyo Harisandi Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47747/icbem.v3i1.3289

Keywords:

igital Technology Adoption, Smart Homes, User Preferences, Housing Innovation, Smart Home Challenges

Abstract

The rise of smart cities has accelerated the development of smart homes; however, adoption among Generation Y and Z remains inconsistent despite their position as the most digitally connected demographics. This study explores the preferences and challenges associated with implementing smart home technologies that meet the expectations of Gen Y and Z. Adopting a thematic analysis approach, the research integrates findings from field observations and in-depth interviews with eight key stakeholders, including developers, property managers, and Gen Y/Z homeowners, in smart city housing projects across the Jabodetabek area, Indonesia. The analysis identifies major challenges such as perceived high costs, privacy concerns, limited awareness, mismatches between design and user needs, and uneven digital literacy. These findings are critically compared with existing literature to highlight persistent gaps between technological offerings and actual user readiness. This study contributes practical recommendations for developers and policymakers, while also providing a theoretical foundation for future research on smart home adoption behavior among digital-native generations.

Author Biographies

Sri Yusriani, Universiti Sains Malaysia

a global HRM practitioner turned researcher and lecturer. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Management at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), focusing Global Strategic Organizational Behavior field HRM. Her professional background includes over a decade of experience in international human resource management and supply chain operations in Denmark, notably with FK Distribution and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Passionate about reading, writing, and mentoring, she lives by the motto: "Everyone is awesome, Happy working, happy learning, happy researching."
Currently a lecturer elearning at FEB Universitas Terbuka (UT), Indonesia, She integrates practical HR perspectives into her teaching in Communication Science and Human Resource Management. She is also the founding leader of FORKOMPROMI in MM UT #unggul, an academic alumni forum fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Her recent accolades include winning Best Paper Award at the ISEAES Journal Writing Competition hosted by UIN Banten (June 2025), and active participation as best presenter and Best Research Papers in IEOM (Tokyo & Dubai), ICE-BEST in Seoul, ISBEST, ISC-BEAM UNJ 2024, ICHESMET Malaysia, and SCBTII.
From September 2024 to March 2025, she is taking part in the WESEP Erasmus+ Program in Luxembourg, representing the Danish community in a women-focused research and leadership initiative. Peraih Training Edu Erasmus Plus Uni Eropa, Sept 2024- March 2025, GSB global FoC 2025 Awardee Shizenkan-IESE Tokyo-Barcelona Jan-April 2025

???? Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=G3bp0L8AAAAJ&hl=en
???? ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sri-Yusriani

Kabul Wahyu Utomo, Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University)

senior lecturer in the Master of Management Program at Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University), Jakarta, Indonesia. He began his academic career in 2004 at Trilogy University and has since established himself as an expert in Human Resource Development. Dr. Kabul holds a Doctorate in Management from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His research primarily focuses on human resource issues both domestically and internationally, with particular emphasis on leadership, organizational behavior, workplace dynamics, political skills, and humanitarian challenges.
His scholarly work has been published in various reputable Sinta-indexed and Scopus-indexed journals. As a distinguished expert in human resource management, Dr. Kabul has received numerous "Best Paper" awards, often alongside his students from the Graduate School of Universitas Terbuka. He currently serves as the Head of the Master of Management Program at Universitas Terbuka, where he continues to lead and inspire academic excellence.

Endi Rekarti, Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University)

Doctor with research interest in Entrepreneurship, Marketing Science, Organization, Strategic Management. Dr. Endi Rekarti is a senior lecturer and the main mentor for FORKOMPROMI, a platform for communication and creativity within the MM Program, where students and alumni collaborate at the Open University Postgraduate School.
https://scholar.google.co.id/citations?user=2zG6w9AAAAAJ&hl=id
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Endi-Rekarti

Prasetyo Harisandi, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Harisandi, ...ini infonya: i, Department of Faculty of Education Economics and Business, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia
"Prasetyo Harisandi"
Prasetyo Harisandi, Department of Faculty of Education Economics and Business, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia.
Prasetyo Harisandi is a lecturer and PhD candidate specializing in Marketing Management, with research interests in consumer behavior, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and digital technology adoption. He currently serves as a tutor lecturer at Universitas Terbuka (UT) and Universitas Pelita Bangsa.
As a lecturer and researcher, his areas of expertise include Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior, UTAUT, E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, and related domains. Based in West Java, Indonesia, his academic works have been published in reputable Scopus-indexed international journals as well as nationally accredited journals (Sinta 2, 3, and 4). He is an active writer and enjoys producing scholarly publications.
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DKz3hgwAAAAJ&hl=id
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Prasetyo-Harisandi

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