Cultural Factors that Affect the Acceptability of Humanoid Robots: Mexico v. Thailand

This was a pioneering study that attempted to measure the cultural receptivity (i.e., potential acceptance in the workplace and personal relationships) of Mexicans regarding humanoid robots (HRs). It is also a pioneering effort in assessing distinctions of such receptivity between students with business majors and those with majors in STEM. A robust quantitative study was conducted in a university in central Mexico, where half the students majored in business and the other half in STEM. Four demographic independent variables (gender, year of study, academic major, and work experience) were tested along with twenty-five attitudinal questions. In addition, respondents were asked to rate the expected performance of HRs by occupation. The results indicated significant differences regarding the four demographic variables, the attitudinal questions, and occupational rating. Given the expected immense growth and impact of the HR industry in the next few decades, knowledge of the cultural receptivity to HRs in the workplace and households regarding perceptions, attitudes, preferences, and expectations provides utilitarian benefits for the coming challenges and opportunities.