Use of Mobile Health Technologies for Self-tracking Purposes among Seniors: A Comparison to the General Adult Population in Canada

Based on a national survey of adults investigating digital self-tracking in Canada, this study compares seniors’ use of mHealth technologies to the general population, and explores the factors related to their use. Despite significant differences between the two groups on smart technologies and Internet use, a considerable number of seniors in the community use smart phones and digital tablets and are familiar with smart devices/wearables. Yet, only 20% reported downloading mobile applications (mApps) and 12% indicated using smart devices/wearables. The majority of mApps downloaded by seniors were health-related; interestingly, their use was sustained over a longer period of time compared to the general population. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to satisfaction with mHealth technologies and intention to continue using them, which were favorable. Leveraging these technologies in partnership with health care providers, and sharing of health/wellbeing data with health professionals, family members or friends remains very limited

Understanding the Role and Transformation of the Information Technology Function in Organizations

The study of the role and evolution of the information technology function in organizations has prompted much interest among researchers in our field for some time now. Many researchers have tried to describe the IT function and to explain its transformation over time. However, we have observed that the existing typologies are often based on a single dimension, attached to historical periods, or built into a normative discourse that calls for an ideal archetype of the IT function. Rather than following these views, we propose that there exist many archetypes of IT functions, and that each one of them evolves in response to a limited number of parameters. First, based on a literature review, we propose a typology of the roles of the IT functions within archetypes that are defined according to four fundamental dimensions. Second, we apply this typology in an examination of the process by which IT functions are transformed over time, helped in this by the punctuated equilibrium theory. The ultimate objective of this paper is to provide a new conceptual and theoretical perspective on the role played by IT functions in organizations and on how such functions may evolve or transform over time

Inside the “Black Box”: Investigating the Link between Organizational Readiness and IT Implementation Success

The complexity of today’s organizational IT-driven transformations, such as implementing ERPs and CRMs, urges companies to conduct upfront preparations to ensure implementation success. Organizational readiness is therefore regarded as a critical precondition that increases the chances of IT implementation success. To deepen the theoretical understanding of the link between organizational readiness and IT implementation success, we present preliminary results of a qualitative survey among a group of seasoned IT project/change management experts and derive a theoretical framework explaining the link between the two constructs

The Impact of Human Resources Practices on IT Personnel Commitment, Citizenship Behaviors, and Turnover Intentions

The past few years have been the most threatening period for enterprises that use, manage, or deal in IT. The source of the tumult has been the demand, supply, recruitment, and, especially, retention of IT professionals. Recent literature reveals that a heavy investment in the implementation of HR practices may contribute to organizational success, specifically by reducing the turnover of IT professionals. As of today, very few empirical studies have rigorously examined the influence of relevant HR practices on turnover intentions of IT people. This study offers to fill that gap by testing an integrated model of turnover intentions that addresses the unique nature of the IT profession

The Transformative Role of Telemedicine on Coordination: A Practice Approach

Delivering coordinated care at a distance challenges work practices and interprofessional collaboration. Using a case study methodology, we analyzed how three occupational groups, pathologists, technologists, and surgeons, coordinate work during the deployment of a major telepathology network in Eastern Canada. The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which and how telemedicine modifies coordination practices. \ \ Transformations emerged from our in-depth case analysis around three aspects of coordination: predictability, common understanding and accountability. First, predictability relied on routines in traditional settings, but shifted to a reliance on plans and rules in a telemedicine setting. Second, common understanding of the task shifted from relying on familiarity between stakeholders to an emphasis on standards. Third, accountability became less collective and more individual and contractual in a telemedicine setting, resulting in more marked boundaries between professional groups. Finally, proximity remained a determinant of accountability in telemedicine contexts, regardless of organizational arrangements. Implications for research and practice are discussed

Understanding the Transformation of the IT Function in Organizations

Many IT researchers have tried to describe the IT function and to explain its transformation over time. Nevertheless, we observed that existing characterizations are often based on a single dimension, attached to historical periods or built into a normative discourse that calls for an ideal profile. We do not subscribe to these premises, seeing that there might be a series of distinct archetypes for the IT function, and that each archetype may adapt and evolve in response to organizational and environmental parameters. Based on a literature review, we propose a typology of the roles of IT functions, within archetypes that are defined according to four dimensions: the IT function’s main activities, the skills of IT professionals, the interface between the IT function and the organization’s business units, and the IT function’s governance. Next, using the theory of punctuated equilibria as a foundation, we will apply the proposed typology to investigate the process by which IT functions evolve over time. From a methodological standpoint, we will first conduct a series of interviews with IT executives to validate the proposed typology. Second, we will conduct a longitudinal case study in the healthcare sector to explain how and why an IT function transforms over time and discover forces that foster stasis or inspire change. Ultimately, our study will provide a new conceptual and theoretical perspective on the role and transformation of IT functions in organizations

IT-enabled Knowledge Management in Primary Care Settings: An Absorptive Capacity Perspective

Primary care medical practices have made sizable IT investments in recent years, primarily deploying electronic medical record (EMR) systems as well as Web-based e-learning applications. The basic assumption here is that developing IT-enabled knowledge management capabilities may significantly improve the innovation and clinical performance of these organizations. Increasing uncertainty in their environment requires them to develop greater absorptive capacity (ACAP), i.e. an organizational learning capability to deal with the external sources of this uncertainty. In applying ACAP theory to primary care settings, this study seeks to answer the following research questions: What are the e-learning and EMR capabilities developed by primary care medical practices in response to increasing environmental uncertainty? To what extent does the development of an e-learning capability influence the development of an EMR capability? To what extent does building ACAP contribute to positive outcomes in terms of medical practices\u27 innovation and clinical performance

National Survey of Older Adults in Canada: Social and Health Care System Determinants of E-Health Applications Use

Little is known about e-health applications use by elderly in relation to social and system level determinants. We conducted a national survey of 2000 seniors in Canada assessing their use of technology and e-health applications, social determinants and interaction with the health care (HC) system. The findings demonstrate technological readiness (85% owned computers, 74% used Internet daily/weekly, 90% used e-mail), which does not translate into e-health applications use. Internet use to connect with a HC professional, access test results or patient portal, or medical appointment booking was very limited. The use of wearables, telemonitoring, and fall detection technology was also very low (11.9%, 9.4%, 4.2%, respectively). A digital divide exists among seniors that is underscored by significant associations between e-health applications use and social determinants. Private insurance and willingness to pay for quicker access are related to higher frequency of mApps and Internet use for accessing health information and exchanging with HC providers

Conceptualizing unexpected events in IT projects

Unexpected events occur during many IT projects and need to be adequately addressed so that their potentially negative impacts can be mitigated. While various tools and methodologies are available to help IT project teams better manage projects, our knowledge of unexpected events remains limited. To better understand such events, their impacts, and how project teams can respond to them, it is important to first comprehend their nature. As a preliminary step in that direction, the present study conceptualizes unexpected events in IT projects based on a case survey of 50 unexpected events described in 38 published case studies. Our analyses suggest three complementary categorizations of unexpected events based on their source, scope and genesis. Further, based on the premise that different unexpected events are likely to lead to different project team responses and outcomes, we suggest several propositions for future research