Issues in Predicting and Explaining Usage Behaviors with the Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior When Usage Is Mandatory

Within certain industries there is an increasing prevalence toward computerizing work practices and mandating specific tasks performed using an Information System (IS). This trend is unlikely to diminish the need for stakeholders, involved in the implementation of an IS, to identify the determinants of successful use. Yet, to date, there is a paucity of research that has considered the issues specific to predicting and explaining user behavior in these situations. In this paper, we identify the relevant issues necessary for applying the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior to the prediction and explanation of mandated IS usage, and we assess the value of these models to the task. The results of a longitudinal study conducted in a hospital setting are presented and we suggest the direction that future research might take

Conceptualising and Measuring Mental Fitness: A Delphi Study

Despite the increased use of the term mental fitness in the popular and psychological literature, there is little consensus in relation to theory, definition and measurement. The concept of mental fitness could be used to parsimoniously engage, educate and promote proactive, positive mental health activities to the wider community, without stigma and within a language that is easily understood.  This Delphi study engaged an international expert panel (n = 25) to evaluate a definition and four guiding principles of mental fitness. Expert consensus was achieved supporting the definition and four guiding principles with suggested modifications.The final definition of mental fitness is “the modifiable capacity to utilise resources and skills to flexibly adapt to challenges or advantages, enabling thriving”. The final four guiding principles are (1) fitness is a positive term without connotations of illness implied by mental health or mental illness; (b) mental fitness could be understood by the wider community in a similar way to physical fitness; (c) mental fitness is measurable; and (d) mental fitness can be improved, in a similar way to physical fitness.  The panel also offered valuable recommendations for future research and practice.

The effect of individual psychological characteristics in the use of Computerised Information Systems

Investments in computerised information systems in the health industry in evident in most parts of the world. In hospitals and other Healthcare settings, increasingly, hands-on computer use is becoming an important behaviour for effective job perfonnance for health professionals. As the pre-employment (professional) training is provided at a number of different settings the exposure health workers have to computing will vary. Providing training and support to such end-users becomes a complex problem. In addition, based on their prior exposure to computer technology in their work place individuals will have different experiences that make implementation of such systems more complex. Individual psychological characteristics of computer end users have been widely researched and debated in studies in management infonnation systems (MIS), organizational behaviour and educatiol1. From as early as the 1970\u27s researchers sought a better understanding ofindividual psychological characteristics towards computers and its use. Factors that have been implicated most commonly in studies based on health professionals include computer attitude, compiIter anxiety, experience in using computers and user involvement ( Krampf and Robinson, 1984; Moralee et aI., 1993; Henderson et aI., 1995). Computerised information systems in health care settings in most cases are mandatory. Therefore prediction of its use is inconsequential. Based on prior studies, it has been shown that behavioural intention predicts behaviour in voluntary situations (Davis et aI., 1989). Behavioural intention refers to the strength of one\u27s intention to perfonn a specific behaviour (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). Studies in business and student settings conducted to ascertain factors that predict behaviour intention to use computer system have identified individual psychological factors to he important. However very few empirical studies have examined these factors in health care settings. In addition there is continued debate and contention ofthe influence ofthese factors in the literature. Given the emerging situation in health care settings of wider implementation of computerised systems the present study was undertaken to test the relationships of these factors to behavioural intention to use computers in a health care setting

Is the technology acceptance model a valid model of user satisfaction of information technology in environments where usage is mandatory?

The validity of the two models based on the extended Technology Acceptance Model (Venkatesh and Davies, 2000) in predicting user satisfaction of an incident reporting system in a mandated setting was tested using 84 employees from a large manufacturing company. The models differed in how the construct, subjective norm was represented. Although the results indicated that both models fitted the data, the anticipated relationship between subjective norms and user satisfaction was not supported. Furthermore, some of the antecedent factors did not predict perceived usefulness as anticipated

An Integrative Model of Information Systems Use in Mandatory Environments

The volitional nature of IS use in organizations is shifting to contexts of mandatory adoption. This has prompted a need for IS researchers to reassess current predictive models of IS use. In this paper we present our work on a theoretical framework for predicting IS use in a mandatory adoption environment. Issues specific to mandatory environments are raised and discussed, and a new model for predicting end-user behavior is proposed. Methodological considerations for testing the model are discussed

A maze of metaphors around glass ceilings

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review many of the diverse metaphors and labels that are used to highlight insights into glass ceilings – the obstacles hindering women reaching the top levels of organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The development of metaphors and labels related to theories about the causes and consequences of glass ceilings are discussed. They are classified according to whether or not they infer women play a role in creating glass ceilings. Findings – It is concluded that most metaphor-linked explanations focus on discrimination and prejudice towards women seeking leadership positions. A small number of metaphors target characteristics of women as causes for the gender inequality in leadership and upper management. Practical implications – Even though there is a plethora of metaphors highlighting obstacles and prejudice against women leaders and several metaphors have been part of the popular lexicon for at least three decades, metaphors do not appear to have greatly helped to quicken the dismantling of glass ceilings

Stages of recovery instrument: development of a measure of recovery from serious mental illness.

Objective: In order to realize the vision of recovery-orientated mental health services, there is a need for a model and a method of measuring recovery as the concept is described by mental health consumers. A preliminary five-stage model based on consumer accounts was developed in an earlier study by the authors. This next stage of the research program describes the development and initial testing of a stage measure which, when validated, can be used in testing that model. Method: Existing measures of recovery were reviewed to assess their concordance with the model, and a new measure, the Stages of Recovery Instrument (STORI) was subsequently developed. A postal survey was conducted of 94 volunteers from the NISAD Schizophrenia Research Register. Participants completed the STORI and measures of mental health, psychological wellbeing, hope, resilience and recovery. Results: The STORI correlated with all of the psychological health variables, and the five stage subscales were found to be internally consistent. An ordinal relationship between the stage subscales was demonstrated by the intercorrelations of the subscale scores and the pattern of correlations between the subscales and the other measures. However, a cluster analysis of items revealed an overlap in measurement of adjacent stages, with only three clear clusters emerging. Conclusions: The results provide preliminary empirical validation of the STORI as a measure of the consumer definition of recovery. However, refinement of the measure is needed to improve its capacity to discriminate between the stages of the model. The model could then be comprehensively tested using longitudinal methods and the inclusion of objective measures

Alcohol-branded merchandise : Association with Australian adolescents’ drinking and parent attitudes

There is growing evidence that young people own alcohol-branded merchandise (ABM), and that ownership influences their drinking intentions and behaviours. However, there is a paucity of research on parents' knowledge or attitudes in relation to ownership of ABM. Study 1 (n = 210) identified high levels of ownership of ABM and associations between ABM and drinking attitudes and behaviours. In Study 2, focus groups with Australian parents found that they were aware of ABM—and many had items of ABM in their home—but they had generally not engaged in consideration of the potential impact on their children. They clearly perceived ABM as advertising and, on reflection, acknowledged that this form of marketing may influence children's decisions about drinking. There is a need to raise parental awareness of the effects of ABM and to endeavour to reduce children's exposure to this influential form of alcohol marketing

The Role of Achievement Goal Orientation in the development of Self Efficacy during Computer Training

Computer self-efficacy (CSE) is a key factor that is related to performance in computer training. A study was conducted to understand the effects of achievement goal orientation on computer self efficacy development with 166 trainees using a database application. Results show that trainees with different achievement motivation dispositions have affects on CSE development through different paths. Individuals with high mastery approach and performance approach dispositions have positive effects on pre training CSE. Mastery avoidance disposition increases Computer Anxiety (CA), this is not seen with performance avoidance. Performance approach affects CSE development by increasing effort. The study provides initial evidence for the need for targeted interventions on CSE and CA, based on trainees’ goal orientation as a personality trait

New wine, new wine-skins: Revisiting Catholic Sacramentality through the Eyes of a child's Spiritual Being

This theoretical paper discusses the spirituality of childhood within the context of Catholic sacramentality, specifically the child’s experience of the Sacrament of Eucharist. The authors argue that readiness for a child’s reception of the Eucharist needs to take into account the spiritual being of the child, as well as the child’s cognitive capacity to grasp the meaning of the Eucharist. Future research directions arising from this theoretical paper are discussed in the conclusion