The Role of Social Networks and Artefacts in Technology Appropriation

This paper examines the role of social networks and artefacts in technology appropriation in an educational environment. We use a qualitative research method to illustrate that social networks and accompanying artefacts form an integral part of the process of appropriation. Our findings suggest three ways in which people appropriate technology for successful longer-term use: 1) adapting work practices to fit the technology, 2) adapting both technology and work practices and 3) integrating technologies and redesigning work practices in work environments. Findings also suggest that, for effective use of technologies, social networks alone may not be enough in encouraging technology use. A combination of social networks and manual and automated artefacts is necessary in supporting and enabling productive technology use. Further, it’s important that managers, IT professionals and trainers realize that lead users play important roles in creating new social- artefact networks and enable new and effective ways of using technology

Predicting Students\u27 Intention to Use Gamified Mobile Learning in Saudi Higher Education

While gamified mobile learning holds the promise of offering an interactive learning environment, the predictors of its adoption remain underexplored. This paper therefore examines the impact of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) augmented with cognitive gratification and perceived enjoyment on intention to use gamified mobile learning in higher education. 271 valid responses were obtained from students from different regions of Saudi Arabia, using an online questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to analyse the data, using AMOS. The findings reveal that perceived enjoyment and social influence had the strongest effects on intention to use gamified mobile learning, followed by performance expectancy and effort expectancy, while cognitive gratification had no influence. The proposed model explained 71% of the variance in usage intentions. The key contribution of this paper is the empirical evidence of the impact of the extended UTAUT on intention to use gamified mobile learning

The Role of Social Networks in Technology Appropriation over time

A number of factors and elements influence the introduction and long-term use of Information Systems (IS) in organisations. Studies in long-term technology use indicate that influences that support users’ decision to adopt technology are not sufficient to encourage long-term use. Based on two case studies in an educational setting, we suggest that social networks play a key role in facilitating technology appropriation and encouraging continued long-term use of technology. Findings indicate that supportive social networks are instrumental to share knowledge, enhance learning, build trust, encourage users to resolve complex problems and subsequently pursue and sustain technology use over long periods of time

Knowledge Sharing During Technology Implementation: Enabling Elements And Problems

Organizational change due to the implementation of new technologies or newer versions of technologies in organizations is a process with many challenges. During this change process, users need to make sense of the new technology, adapt their work practices to use the technology and/or change their patterns or routines of work to make full use of the technology. This paper focuses on knowledge sharing during change associated with the implementation of new or newer versions of technologies in four case study organisations. We use a qualitative research method and our findings identify the 1) key interrelated elements that enable effective knowledge sharing (people from specific teams, IT-artefacts and change-related activities) and 2) specific problems that hinder effective knowledge sharing during change associated with technology implementation. Our findings are of specific relevance to managers that need to plan, control and coordinate change processes and manage teams that are subject to change associated with technology implementation

Understanding appropriation of a social media technology to manage chronic illness: The Facebook case

With the rapid increase of social media appropriation globally, there has been a surge in the number of chronically ill adults who leverage social media tools as part of their illness management practice. While numerous studies discuss the potential benefits of appropriation there seem to be limited studies that have explored appropriation of social media by investigating how and why these technologies have been appropriated by these patients. This paper applies an interpretive case study with mixed methods to examine appropriation of Facebook by these cohorts. Our results highlight the patterns of social media appropriation: lurking as passive learning; liking and reacting to show support and; borderless appropriation of multiple social media tools. Among a range of influences, crafting a positive illness identity, communal filtering of misinformation were found to be positive influences and barriers like emotional overload were found to influence appropriation for chronically ill adults on social media

What Makes a Review Credible? Heuristic and Systematic Factors for the Credibility of Online Reviews

In the digital transformation era, online reviews have become an important source of information for decisions about purchases. Research shows that online reviews influence users’ behaviors and product sales. However, questions remain about how and why users assess the credibility of online reviews for different products/services on different websites. Using semi-structured interviews as a way of understanding how users assess the credibility of online reviews, we propose a comprehensive credibility analysis model for online reviews. The proposed model extends a model we previously proposed; and uses the Heuristic Systematic Model (HSM) as a theoretical lens, which helps us to understand different features that impact the credibility of online reviews. Our findings reveal several factors which impact the credibility of online reviews that have not been identified in the previous literature

Adoption, adaptation, stabilization and stagnation: software appropriation over time

Persistent use of an information technology is necessary if it is to enhance productivity and user satisfaction. In this paper, we examine the process of appropriation of an application software over time, to gain a deeper understanding of the influences that encourage productive and persistent use. In a longitudinal study in an educational setting, through intensive field research, we identify changing expectations and influences that encourage persistent use of a technology above and beyond adoption. We identify further appropriation beyond initial stabilization and suggest that easy access to ongoing training is a driving force in avoiding stagnation and encouraging productive use

The use of social media by adults with chronic illness: analysing the support mechanisms of four social media platforms

Social media technologies are increasingly utilized by patients, leading to development of online social groups where patients share experiences and offer support to their peers on these platforms. Yet, there is limited research investigating actual use of social media platforms by patients with chronic illness. In order to gain an understanding of this growing trend, this study conducts a technology feature analysis of the technology features of four of the most used social media tools to date: Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and YouTube in order to determine how the features and mechanisms available on these tools present the key functionalities of these social media tools. We discover that the Uses and Gratifications Framework can augment the Honey Comb framework to examine the features of social media technologies