eLearning and SMEs: Do Demand and Supply Speak the Same Language?

This paper reports on research-in-progress designed to understand adoption and diffusion of e-learning (EL) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in northern Italy. The research takes as its organizing framework the concept that diffusion of an innovation to a group of organizations reflects a match between demand and supply, and augments that framework by reference to Rogers’ (1995) model of the processes of adoption and diffusion of innovation in organizations and the IS literature on adoption by individuals. The first two, exploratory stages of the research are completed. They identified that EL is not widely diffused among the firms of interest. In part, this reflects relatively low participation in all forms of training, but it also reflects low awareness of EL, difficulty in identifying and evaluating products and services on the market, and a perception among non-adopters that EL is costly and they do not have adequate ICT infrastructure for it. In the final stage of the research, focus groups were conducted with both SMEs and EL suppliers to identify the extent to which these groups (demand and supply) have a shared understanding of the nature of EL and its potential

The Effects Of Task-Technology Fit On Use And User Performance Impacts: The Case Of The Human Resource Management Information System In The Malaysian Public Sector

The successful implementation of information systems (IS) in organisations depends on the ability of the IS to assist users in performing their tasks by fulfilling their expectations and delivering the desired results. This paper describes the research on how well the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) assists users in performing their tasks. The objective of this research is to identify gaps in HRMIS with regards to user needs in order to use HRMIS to assist them in performing their tasks and formulate recommendations to bridge the said gaps. Data was collected using a mixed methods approach of qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative data is being prepared for analysis and will be analysed using SPSS and AMOS. Content analysis was conducted on the open-ended responses which are being theme coded in SPSS for analysis. Content analysis will be conducted on the qualitative data upon its transcription and summarisation

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior with qualitative research

Studies adopting the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) mostly use quantitative methods. Sometimes, however, researchers choose to use a qualitative method because of the nature of available data (e.g., interviews) or availability of only a limited number of cases. This paper describes a study in which the TPB was used with qualitative methods to explain differences in university teaching. It focuses primarily on the methods used: qualitative data coding, data analysis and interpretation, and methods for presenting and supporting results. The study explored factors which influence university teachers to adopt teaching models based on online social interaction when an e-learning platform is used to complement undergraduate classroom teaching. Participants were 26 university teachers (15 from Australia and 11 from Italy). They responded to a semi-structured interview based on the TPB. Three approaches to use of e-learning platforms were identified: upload of materials, use of discussion forums, and computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). Using this approach, it was possible to highlight substantial differences in the attitudes, social influence, and perceived behavioral control among the three groups.Theory of Planned Behavior, TPB, qualitative methods, e-learning, Learning Management Systems, LMS, university teaching, Online Social Interaction, Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, CSCL