Web-based learning in the field of empirical research methods

This study focuses on the development of a complex web-based learning environment aimed at promoting the acquisition of applicable knowledge in the context of studying empirical research methods at university. This learning environment was then modified further on an empirical basis. The main focus of the present article is to describe the conceptualisation of the learning environment and research activities which were guided by an integrative research paradigm. The learning environment consisted of highly structured, complex texts in which the process of empirical research was illustrated in a detailed manner. By combining these texts with other instructional measures, the learning environment is given a flexible hypertext-structure. The effectiveness of the learning environment as a whole was investigated in three studies (two evaluation studies in the field and one experimental study in the laboratory). It was demonstrated that the additional instructional measures (e.g. a specific feedback-guidance and time-management measures) were not effective. The importance of cognitive, motivational and emotional learning prerequisites for the successful utilisation of the learning environment was highlighted. The implementation of special training and additional preparatory modules is recommended in order to optimise the fit between students' prerequisites and learning environmIm Zentrum der vorliegenden Arbeit steht zum einen die Konzeptualisierung einer Lernumgebung zur Förderung des Erwerbs anwendbaren Wissens im Kontext der universitären Ausbildung in empirischen Forschungsmethoden. Zum anderen werden ausgehend von einem integrativen Forschungsparadigma Forschungsaktivitäten beschrieben, die die empirische Basis zur Weiterentwicklung der Lernumgebung bereitstellen. Die Lernumgebung besteht aus hoch strukturierten, komplexen Texten, in welchen der Prozess empirischer Forschung auf detaillierte Weise veranschaulicht wird. Diese Texte wurden mit anderen instruktionalen Maßnahmen kombiniert, wodurch die Lernumgebung eine flexible, hypertextartige Struktur bekam. Die Effektivität der gesamten Lernumgebung wurde im Rahmen dreier empirischer Studien untersucht, von denen zwei als Evaluationsstudien im Feld durchgeführt wurden; die dritte war eine experimentelle Laborstudie. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die zusätzlichen instruktionalen Maßnahmen (z. B. eine spezifische Feedback-Anleitung und eine Zeitmanagement-Maßnahme) nicht wirksam waren. Die Bedeutung kognitiver, motivationaler und emotionaler Lernvoraussetzungen für die erfolgreiche Nutzung der Lernumgebung konnte nachgewiesen werden. Um die Passung zwischen den Eingangsvoraussetzungen der Studierenden und der Lernumgebung zu verbessern, wurde die Implementation eines speziellen Trainings und eines zusätzlichen vorbereitenden Moduls vorgeschlag

An Integrative Model of Information Systems Use in Mandatory Environments

The volitional nature of IS use in organizations is shifting to contexts of mandatory adoption. This has prompted a need for IS researchers to reassess current predictive models of IS use. In this paper we present our work on a theoretical framework for predicting IS use in a mandatory adoption environment. Issues specific to mandatory environments are raised and discussed, and a new model for predicting end-user behavior is proposed. Methodological considerations for testing the model are discussed

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE IN A MANDATORY ENVIRONMENT: A TEST OF AN INTEGRATIVE PRE-IMPLEMENTATION MODEL.

Technology acceptance has been studied extensively within the IS discipline. The introduction of the technology acceptance model (TAM) has given researchers the opportunity to produce a vast body of knowledge; however, existing gaps within the technology acceptance literature warrant further investigation of these understudied areas. Namely, few if any have studied end users’ acceptance of newly implemented technologies within organizational contexts before end-users start using the technology. Additionally, leadership is one of the areas that has not yet been sufficiently integrated with the technology acceptance literature. The Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory with its roots in the social exchange theory offers us an opportunity to investigate an overlooked facet of the social influence processes, specifically, the role of the direct leader (i.e. supervisor) as it relates to technology acceptance. In this research LMX, which captures the quality of the relationship between employees and their supervisors, is introduced as a moderating variable for many of the research model’s relationships. Thus, by integrating variables from multiple relevant literatures, this research attempts to answer this research question: Will the introduction of a richer model for technology acceptance in a mandatory adoption environment, specifically in the pre-implementation phase, allow us to capture and account for the complexities of organizational technology implementations? The research model was tested in an organizational setting where a new Content Management System was being implemented. One of the study’s major findings is that it reveals a relatively different pattern of relationships between the variables within the context of this research. A majority of the hypotheses were supported and the model has displayed relatively large explanatory and predictive power. LMX’s moderating role also highlighted the important role that direct supervisors play in the acceptance process; support was found that LMX strengthens the relationship between supervisor influence and behavioral intention, Perceived Behavioral Control, Appropriateness, Perceived Usefulness, Valence, and Perceived Ease of Use

INVESTIGATING USER RESPONSES TO MANDATORY IT-INDUCED ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES: A PRE-IMPLEMENTATION STUDY

Organisational spending on IT-systems is still on the rise, despite research indicating that majority of these IT-systems are not used optimally by employees. This has been attributed to a wide range of responses from IT users, especially in a mandatory use context. In spite of decades of research, the identification of various user responses to IT and the factors that influence these responses remain very important. This study seeks to investigate how users respond to mandated IT-induced organisational changes and what factors influence these responses over time. An interpretive case study approach was adopted, with semi-structured interviews used as the primary data source at a Radio/Television station. Preliminary findings indicate that users respond differently (i.e., opportunity and threat responses) to the proposed mandated IT implementation, and also reveal 3 factors (i.e., management support, user involvement, and social influence) that influence a user’s primary appraisal at the pre-implementation stage. The next phase of this study involves expansion of our interview questions and further in-depth interviews at an additional case site, at both the pre and post-implementation stages of Mandated IT-implementation projects. Upon completion, this research is expected to contribute to the IT use literature by deepening our understanding of different user responses to mandated IT-induced organisational changes and also inform managers involved in IT-implementation projects

What makes IS Implementation Successful? A Study on Implementation Effectiveness

It has been noted that implementation climate is positively associated with implementation effectiveness. However, the recipe for a successful implementation of IS/IT systems still doesn’t exist. Specifically, it is unclear what a good implementation climate requires, what it should be, and to what extent the acceptance and success of the implementation of a new IS/IT system is affected. Despite success and opportunities for organizations that innovate with information systems (IS) and information technology (IT) in general there are also many failures of IS/IT implementations caused by both technical and non-technical problems. This study, based on the Klein-Sorra model of implementation effectiveness, shows that skills and innovation-values fit do significantly influence intention to use in the context of our questionnaire-based survey, the implementation of a new document management system (DMS) at the Dutch Police. Survey data was collected from 41 end-users. For practitioners, this research offers practices to be considered during implementation of a new system

Determinants of continuance intention of RFID in Australian livestock industry: An empirical study

The purpose of this study is to develop and refine a theoretical framework to examine the continuance intention of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in Australian livestock industry. A mixed-method research approach, consisting qualitative and quantitative, has been taken for this study. The findings of this study show that the continued RFID usage intention is influenced by satisfaction from current use, and confirmation of expectations. As a practical contribution, the findings of this study can be addressed by the Australian agricultural agencies as an acid-test of its current and future mandatory RFID policy. Policymakers can compare their experience with the findings of this study, evaluate the past, and reassess the future. As a theoretical contribution, this study is a first of its kind considering and incorporating 'adoption' in a confirmation-satisfaction framework to examine the continued usage behaviour of RFID

A business model perspective for ICTs in public engagement

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published article can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2012 ElsevierPublic institutions, in their efforts to promote meaningful citizen engagement, are increasingly looking at the democratic potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Previous studies suggest that such initiatives seem to be impeded by socio-technical integration barriers such as low sustainability, poor citizen acceptance, coordination difficulties, lack of understanding and failure to assess their impact. Motivated by these shortcomings, the paper develops and applies a business model perspective as an interceding framework for analysis and evaluation. The underlying principle behind this approach is that it is not technology per se which determines success, but rather the way in which the businessmodel of the technological artifact is configured and employed to achieve the strategic goals. The business model perspective is empirically demonstrated with the case of an online petitioning system implemented by a UK local authority. The case illustrates the importance of considering ICTs in public engagement from a holistic view to make them more manageable and assessable

Institutionalisation of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: An Integrative Framework

The importance of studying institutional view and theories in the context of contemporary business organisations have been emphasized by many researchers. However, the literature overlooked the institutional elements which are influencing technology implementation in organisations. This study aims to investigate the issues posed to ERP implementation through the lens of technology institutionalisation perspective by considering institutional theory, institutional pressures, and other organisational and technological factors. This research in progress paper describes the research framework for ERP institutionalisation that provides an integrative view of how ERP is implemented, assimilated, and institutionalised within the organisations. This framework brings together the effects of various well-defined IS theories into a unified and integrated structure. Moreover, this paper looks at a broad sample of current IS literature on ERP systems’ successes and failures over various stages of institutionalisation process. Based on the results of literature analysis, tackling an ERP institutionalisation, for any organisation, requires some introspection and true assessment of priorities, objectives and external business environment of the organisation