Individual Reactions To Computing Technology: A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective

Understanding how and why individuals use computers within their professional lives has been a longstanding goal of Information Systems research. In order to provide further insights into this phenomenon, from the perspective of Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986), two related studies were undertaken. In the first study, a model of individual behaviour based on Social Cognitive Theory was formulated and tested through a survey of approximately 1000 Canadian managers and professionals. The results of the study provide substantial support for the Social Cognitive Theory perspective. In particular, the findings highlight the important role of self-efficacy, individuals\u27 beliefs that they can successfully use computers, in shaping both emotional and behavioural reactions.;The second study focused on the development of skills in two software packages, again using Social Cognitive Theory as a theoretical foundation. An experiment was conducted in which 88 managers and professionals were taught to use Lotus 1-2-3 and WordPerfect through one of two training methods. The first method reflected the traditional lecture and practice approach to training. The second method incorporated behaviour modeling in addition to traditional methods. Modeling was found to influence self-efficacy and performance for training in Lotus, but not in WordPerfect. Self-efficacy was found to influence performance for both packages. Thus, the results suggested that training influences performance in part through its influence of self-efficacy perceptions, and that under some circumstances, training which includes behaviour modeling is more powerful than traditional methods of training.;The combined findings of the two studies underscore the need to consider self-efficacy perceptions in attempting to understand individual reactions to computing technology. On a more general level, they suggest that Social Cognitive Theory is a useful foundation for studies of individual reactions to computing technology. Several specific opportunities for applying Social Cognitive Theory within this domain are suggested in the concluding chapter

Information Privacy Awareness (IPA): A Review of the Use, Definition and Measurement of IPA

Despite the acknowledged importance of awareness in the information privacy (IP) literature, we lack a consistent and thorough understanding of information privacy awareness (IPA). Drawing on Endsley’s model of Situation Awareness, we propose a multidimensional model of IPA and define each of its dimensions. We then conducted a thorough review of the IP literature’s use of awareness and synthesize our findings using our proposed model. This paper makes significant contributions by 1) distinguishing between IP knowledge, literacy and awareness 2) consolidating the IP literature’s definitions of awareness and providing a new detailed definition 3) proposing a new IPA model that future authors can reference when using or measuring IPA

Self-Regulated Learning Strategies and Computer Software Training

User learning is central to the effective use of information technology within organizations, particularly given the changing nature of IT over the past decades. Research indicates that self-training is the most common means by which users learn. In addition, the use of Web-based training within organizations in these self- directed learning situations is increasing. The purpose of this research is to investigate the increasingly popular self-training phenomenon within organizations by examining the self-regulated learning strategies that individuals use in Web-based training situations, and how they influence learning outcomes. To do this, a two phase study was designed. Phase one of this study has been completed, and phase two has been initiated. Phase one took us into the field to explore interviewees’ self-directed learning experiences by understanding the strategies they used and learning difficulties they encountered. It involved 27 interviews with knowledge- workers from a variety of organizations. Phase two (in progress) provides a field test of the research model. Organizations invest a great deal of resources toward training end users, and this research will assist organizations in gaining a return from this sizable investment in training end users, and in managing their most important resource—knowledge

Investigating Ruptures in Shared Understanding as Recursive Cycles of Mutual Adaptation During Implementation

Shared understanding between diverse technology stakeholders is a key driver of IT-Business alignment, also underpinning successful adaptive, IS development activities. Lack of shared understanding creates representational gaps, innovation blindness and different technology frames which create barriers to development and implementation of technology. Applying a socio-material perspective to Leonard-Barton’s model of mutual adaptation between technology and organization, as well as research on shared capabilities between IS and business stakeholders, we examine the process by which shared understanding emerges during the design, development and implementation of IT systems. We followed key multi-disciplinary stakeholder groups over a two-year period during the development and implementation of a health information system. We report on events during the project that we call ruptures – highly charged incidents which reveal a lack shared understanding between stakeholders. We argue that ruptures occur during the mutual adaptation of organizational and technological elements necessitated by the implementation process and are precipitated by the constitutive entanglement of social and technological elements. They reveal serious misalignments among stakeholders and in relation to the technology as its material properties become more concrete. We investigate the emergence of ruptures and the mechanisms by which they influence stakeholders, the implementation process and its outcomes

A Social Cognitive View of Technical Support and its Influence on User Learning

Understanding how to develop usersí skills and abilities and how to best support users in their everyday use of technology remains a key managerial problem. This study uses Banduraís social cognitive theory (1986) to focus on the everyday phenomenon of technical support as a mechanism of vicarious learning through which users learn about their technology. We argue that this conceptualization aids in understanding how and why users gain value from support. Focusing specifically on support provided through a technical help desk at a large, distributed financial services organization, this study randomly collected 100 audiotaped support calls and matched them with user evaluations of the support provided. By examining the behaviors that characterize the provision of support by IT professionals and linking these characteristics to usersí reactions including learning, this research will result in a more grounded model of support and its relationship to usersí development of self-efficacy, satisfaction, and knowledge about technology

A SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY PERSPECTIVE ON INDIVIDUAL REACTIONS TO COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

Understanding individual reactions to computing technology is a central concern of information systems research. This research seeks to understand these reactions from the perspective of Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura 1977, 1978, 1982, 1986), a widely accepted theory of behavior in Social Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The theory holds that behavior, environment, and cognitive and other individual factors are engaged in an ongoing reciprocal interaction. Two cognitive factors in particular are given prominence in the theory: (1) outcome expectations, or beliefs about the consequences of behavior and (2) self-efficacy, beliefs about one\u27s ability to successfully execute particular behaviors. A model of individual reactions to computing technology based on this theory was tested on a sample of 940 Canadian knowledge workers. Eleven of the fourteen hypotheses were supported by the analysis. Key findings were that self-efficacy, outcome expectations, affect and anxiety all had a direct influence on computer use. In addition, outcome expectations and self-efficacy were found to indirectly influence computer use through affect and anxiety. Tile behavior and influence of others in the individuals\u27 reference groups was found to exert a small influence on selfefficacy and outcome expectations

Research Exchange - June 29, 2021 Anatomy of a Good Paper: Framing Research Contributions

This is another contribution in the AIS Research Exchange webinar series Anatomy of a Good Paper: Framing Research Contributions . With Victoria as moderator, Deborah, Steve and Victoria provide excellent insights and perspectives into effectively framing of the research contributions

Understanding IS Adoption and Success: Integration of IS Success and Technology Adoption Research

Despite continued research on technology adoption and IS success; there continue to be significant organizational challenges with IT. One reason for this may be the lack of consistent understanding resulting from the fact that there are two dominant research streams in this area – technology adoption research (TAR) and IS Success research (ISSR) – which have insufficient dialogue between them. TAR and ISSR offer complementary perspectives of IS– adoption does not necessarily mean success, and measurement of system success does not necessarily explain why the system was successful. We examine the relationship between these two research streams using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) from TAR and the IS Success model from ISSR. This paper proposes an integrated model that seeks to improve understanding of IT adoption and success. Our integrated model provides the theoretical strength of the TPB as well as the actionability of IS Success

Implications of Technological Progress for the Measurement of Technology Acceptance Variables: The Case of Self-efficacy

Despite decades of technological and organizational change our research in the area of technology adoption continues to use measures for constructs that were developed during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In this research-in-progress paper, we examine one such measure, computer-self-efficacy. We consider the implications of changing technologies and context and propose a new direction for conceptualizing and measuring self-efficacy. We present an updated conceptualization and a definition for a new construct called Technology Self-efficacy. We describe our process for developing the item pool for this new construct and outline our plans for testing the new instrument’s validity