Examining the motivations of the community pharmacies to use biometric authentication

Rylan C Chong, Purdue University

Abstract

Using the grounded theory strategy, this study analyzed the experiences and perspectives of community pharmacists. The intent was to answer the question, "Why do community pharmacists consider using traditional authentication systems rather than biometric systems?" The study consisted of 10 pharmacists for an individual interview from Hawaii and 35 pharmacists across the United States who participated in an online survey. Based on the examination of the collected data, themes emerged from the interviews and survey through five different analyses: (a) examined the pharmacists' positions of the interview questions; (b) examined the pharmacists' interview statements; (c) examined the survey preliminary questions; (d) compared the password system and the biometric system survey questions responses; and (e) performed an analysis of covariance and a correlation matrix, both using a 0.05 significance level to develop models for the surveyed password system, which was the authentication system that most community pharmacists used in their pharmacy. The contribution of this study presented the themes essential for the ground theory strategy and to be used for future research. The themes were: (a) there was a lack of awareness and exposure about biometric systems; (b) invasiveness, cost, pharmacist's performance of biometric systems are concerns to consider; (c) although there were concerns about biometric systems, the community pharmacists would use the biometric system if available and believed it will be used more than password and physical object systems; (d) security functions are biometric systems focal point; and (e) large pharmacies (e.g., chain) and/or pharmacies located in urban areas may be more receptive to use biometric systems.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Elliott, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Information Technology

COinS