An Interactionist Approach To Complexity in Computer-Supported Knowledge Work

The nature of computer-supported work varies widely, from settings in which the employee\u27s total task is completed through the use of information technology, to settings in which the employee must determine how and when to use one or more technological tools in task performance. In the latter situation, the employee may be a knowledge worker already confronted with a difficult, non-routine task that requires significant cognitive effort and in which the knowledge worker is expected to apply his or her own knowledge capital (Davis et al., 1993). What impacts are expected from high complexity work settings like the use of information technology (IT) in knowledge work? The research on work redesign has focused on increased task complexity as beneficial, and has foundthat changes in the work setting that increase workers\u27 perceptions of task complexity are related to increased motivation, satisfaction, and in some cases, performance (Griffin, 1991). Other researchers have found negative impacts of high complexity work(Banker et al., 1993; Schroder et al., 1967). However, research also shows that some of the negative impacts of high complexity work can be mitigated by increasing the level of cognitive information of an individual (Campbell & Gingrich, 1986; Khalil & Clark, 1989). These seemingly conflicting results suggest that the relationship between high complexity work and task outcomes is neither simple nor deterministic, and that the interplay between individual differences and the work setting are key to understanding the relationship. When MIS provides IT support for high-complexity knowledge work tasks, it may need to consider the characteristics of that IT, how that IT may interact with the knowledge worker\u27s tasks, as well as the users\u27 capabilities in order to predict outcomes like performance and satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to (1) integrate the existing literature on complexity and (2) describe an interactionist model of complexity which attempts to include the various elements of complexity. The interactionist model of complexity is a framework that can be used to enhance our understanding of complexity in the context of computer-supported knowledge work, and support research on the relationship of complexity to important organizational outcomes

Greta\u27s Gym: A Teaching Case for Term-Long Database Projects

The following case supports a term-long team project for a senior-level or graduate-level Database course. It describes a gymnastics facility whose business processes are primarily manual. Students design and implement a database supporting the automation of competitive gymnastics team processes. In the analysis and design phase, students gather data from real gyms, produce a conceptual data model, design and normalize relational tables, document field definitions, and calculate storage space requirements. In the implementation phase, students write instructions for installing and using their tables, implement the tables, and write queries, triggers, and stored procedures that manipulate data stored in their tables. This case contributes to IS teaching in that it provides a fuller integration of database tasks than many existing cases, particularly in its inclusion of data gathering from actual facilities, installation instructions, storage space calculations, and both stored procedure and trigger requirements. Information on when and how the project is introduced and managed, and grading tips, is provided to potential adopters of this case. Proposed solutions are provided for most project deliverables. Feedback from students indicates that the case provides a satisfying challenge to them, and that skills gained from the project have been invaluable in their subsequent MIS jobs

Because Excel will Mind Me! The State of Constituent Data Management in Small Nonprofit Organizations

The value of constituent data to the non-profit sector is higher than ever (Hagen, 2006). Yet for small nonprofit organizations in particular, collecting, maintaining, accessing, and summarizing constituent data remains a daunting and frustrating task. This research examines why this is so. Using case studies of two small nonprofit organizations, we identify challenges faced by these organizations in managing their constituent data. Analyzing these challenges and working with the nonprofits to address the challenges have resulted in a set of recommendations we offer for MIS researchers to become more engaged in serving this sector

Why do Students not Major in MIS? An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

A McKinsey & Company report states that a gap in information technology skills remains in the U.S. and globally. Combined with continued projections for high growth in MIS positions such as Systems Analysts and Software Applications Developers, increasing student enrollment in MIS continues to be a focus for MIS academicians and professionals. Although studies addressing MIS enrollment issues abound, the manner in which relevant factors are collected is often not systematized. The current study uses established theory and instruments to examine student perceptions of majoring in MIS. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), we employ an elicitation-based study uncovering beliefs about majoring in MIS. We subsequently use Partial Least Squares to analyze the importance of these beliefs in influencing intentions to major in MIS. The results lead to specific recommendations for improving MIS enrollments in the U.S. and international settings

Feeling Blue by Extension: Intrafamily Transmission and Economic Pressures Explain the Native-Immigrant Gap in Well-Being among Youth in Switzerland

Several factors explain the native-immigrant gap in well-being frequently found among adolescents and young adults. First, discrimination and integration challenges impact the psychological health of immigrants of all ages. Though rarely studied, low parental well-being is transmitted thereby also deteriorating youth well-being. Second, individuals with an immigrant background generally endure economic pressures to a greater extent than natives, which impact children through a lower parental well-being independently of origins. These factors—intrafamily transmission of negative affect and economic pressures—have been mostly studied separately (and only rarely for the former). Combining the two, the present study uses Swiss Household Panel data to examine the extent to which immigrant background and economic pressures relate to well-being of adolescents and young adults through the negative affect experienced by their mothers and fathers. In Switzerland, young people with an immigrant background—both immigrants and dual citizens—reported being more anxious, sad and depressed than natives. Path models showed that young people with foreign roots were more likely to live in a household that experienced economic pressures, which, in turn, related to impaired parental (mothers and fathers alike) well-being and finally their own. An immigrant background, economic pressures and parental well-being were also independently related to young people’s negative affect, highlighting the complexity of the factors underlying the well-known immigrant–native gap in well-being

Effects of memory load and distraction on performance and event-related slow potentials in a visuospatial working memory task

Brain electrical activity related to working memory was recorded at 15 scalp electrodes during a visuospatial delayed response task. Participants (N = 18) touched the remembered position of a target on a computer screen after either a 1 or 8 sec delay. These memory trials were compared to sensory trials in which the target remained present throughout the delay and response periods. Distracter stimuli identical to the target were briefly presented during the delay on 30% of trials. Responses were less accurate in memory than sensory trials, especially after the long delay. During the delay slow potentials developed that were significantly more negative in memory than sensory trials. The difference between memory and sensory trials was greater at anterior than posterior electrodes. On trials with distracters, the slow potentials generated by memory trials showed further enhancement of negativity whereas there were minimal effects on accuracy of performance. The results provide evidence that engagement of visuospatial working memory generates slow wave negativity with a timing and distribution consistent with frontal activation. Enhanced brain activity associated with working memory is required to maintain performance in the presence of distraction. © 1997 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technolog

Understanding determinants of acute stroke thrombolysis using the tailored implementation for chronic diseases framework: a qualitative study

Abstract Background The Tailored Implementation in Chronic Disease (TICD) framework is a comprehensive framework describing the determinants of implementation success that has been used extensively in primary care settings. We explored the utility of the TICD to identify determinants of practice in an acute setting, namely guideline concordant acute stroke thrombolysis in a low-resourced, predominately minority serving, large, Emergency Department (ED). Methods Through workshops and expert review, we developed an interview guide informed by the TICD framework. We then conducted semi-structured interviews with data collected through written transcripts, audio transcripts or interviewer notes based on participant availability. Three independent coders then performed a content analysis using template analysis, but open to new determinants that arose from the data, into the TICD framework. Results We performed a total of 15 semi-structured interviews with ED acute stroke providers including medical technicians, nurses, and physicians. We found that guideline factors, individual health professional factors, and patient factors domains were barriers to guideline concordant acute stroke thrombolysis. The domain professional interactions was a facilitator to treatment. We identified three determinants, healthcare professional burnout, health care professional turnover and surrogate decision making, that are not part of the TICD framework. Conclusions Most determinants of acute stroke thrombolysis are included within the TICD framework. Inclusion of healthcare professional burnout, healthcare professional turnover and surrogate decision making may assist in expanding the TICD to time-sensitive ED conditions. Further work is needed to confirm this finding and to establish whether the TICD is applicable for use in non-time sensitive ED conditions. Interventions that address guideline, individual health professional and patient factors may improve guideline concordant acute stroke thrombolysis.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148315/1/12913_2019_Article_4012.pd