Improving IS Competency: The Role of Self-Explanation and Self-Evaluation

Achieving proficient, effective utilization of information systems (IS) continues to be a challenge. Therefore, effective training techniques can be an area of consideration for improving IS competency. To understand issues underlying competency in IS use, the Cognitive Load Theory is utilized. One potential challenge that resonates with the learning process itself is germane cognitive load. This research proposes to address such issues by exploring potential improvements in germane cognitive load through interventions of self-regulated learning strategies. Drawing upon Social Cognitive Theory and self-regulated learning literature, this research proposes an experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of using selfconstructed explanations and self-evaluations to improve IS competency. Learning outcomes will be measured through assessment of declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge, and self-efficacy. Practical implications and contributions of this research include providing an understanding of the effectiveness of incorporating self-regulated learning strategies (i.e., self-constructed explanations and evaluations) in an IS competency context

Deriving Value from Big Data Analytics in Healthcare: A Value-focused Thinking Approach

With the potential to generate more insights from data than ever before, big data analytics has become highly valuable to many industries, especially healthcare. Big data analytics can make important contributions to many areas, such as enhancements in the quality of patient care and improvements in operational efficiencies. Big data analytics provides opportunities to address concerns such as disease diagnoses and prevention. However, it has posed challenges such as data security and privacy issues. Also, healthcare institutions have concerns about deriving the greatest benefit from their big data analytics endeavors. Therefore, identifying actionable objectives that can help healthcare organizations derive the maximum value from big data analytics is needed. Using the value-focused thinking (VFT) approach, we interviewed individuals associated with data analytics in healthcare to identify actionable objectives that one needs to consider to derive value from big data analytics, which practitioners can use for their own endeavors and provide opportunities for future research

Information Systems User Competency: A Conceptual Foundation

Research has identified a variety of factors that influence people’s intentions to use IS and their degree of IS use. However, what has not been well understood are the characteristics of competent IS users who are proficient in using IS and are able to achieve quality IS usage. Considering that improving IS users’ abilities to more efficiently and effectively use IS has always been and remains a challenge, research that provides a comprehensive view of the characteristics associated with competent IS users is warranted. This paper addresses this research question by proposing a conceptual foundation for IS user competency. Based on social cognitive theory, this research also proposes an overarching framework for IS user competency that can serve as a theoretical foundation for future research in this domain

Understanding Factors Influencing Proficient Information Systems Usage

Variations exist among information system (IS) users’ abilities to effectively utilize an IS. Some users are able to maximize IS potential, while others are not. This research proposes to understand the attributes of individuals who are most capable of exploiting IS to its fullest potential as well as the management and organizational factors that facilitate the development of highly competent users. The Repertory Grid Technique was utilized to identify user attributes contributing to IS proficiency in Phase One of this research and will be utilized to identify management and organizational factors in Phase Two. The results will provide a comprehensive framework of cross-level factors contributing to IS user competency. Also, the results will highlight attributes that can be fostered in other IS users through training interventions or potential hiring criteria as well as management/organizational factors that can be implemented to improve individual performance with IS use

UNDERSTANDING ATTRIBUTES OF HIGHLY COMPETENT INFORMATION SYSTEM USERS: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH

Individuals differ in their abilities to use information systems (IS) effectively, with some achieving exceptional performance in IS use. Various constructs have been identified in the literature to describe IS users with regard to their intentions and actual usage of IS, but studies to describe highly competent IS users or their ability to achieve higher quality of IS usage are lacking. Using the Repertory Grid Technique, this research identifies attributes of highly competent IS users that distinguish them from less competent users. Using the Grounded Theory approach, we identified categories and sub-categories of these attributes and used them to develop a conceptual framework to explain IS User Competency. The framework includes Personality Traits and Disposition Factors, General Cognitive Abilities, Social Skills and Tendencies, Experiential Learning Factors, Domain Knowledge of and Skills in IS, Job Experiences, Generation Factors, and Formal Education as attributes of highly competent users. The results not only highlight attributes that can be fostered in other IS users to improve their performance with IS use but they also present research opportunities for IS training and potential hiring criteria for IS users in organizations

Flow Experience in Virtual Worlds: Individuals versus Dyads

Flow is a state of mind in which one is deeply absorbed and immersed in an activity to the point where nothing else matters. Although flow can occur in solitary and social contexts, which context fosters greater flow is unclear. Consistent with self-determination theory, dyads working collaboratively achieved higher states of flow than individuals working alone. In other words, dyads achieved higher states of focused concentration and experienced greater temporal dissociation than individuals working alone. Surprisingly and contradictory to previous findings, dyads did not experience greater enjoyment than individuals working alone. We attributed this surprising finding to the hedonic nature of the virtual world environment which afforded an intrinsically rewarding experience; hence, adding a social dimension may not further increase heightened enjoyment. Our findings provide theoretical and practical implications on the use of virtual worlds for individual versus collaborative tasks

Towards a Theory of Information Systems User Competency

Individuals differ in their abilities to use information systems (IS) effectively, with some achieving exceptional performance in IS use. Various constructs have been identified in the literature to describe usage intentions of IS users and actual usage of IS, but studies to describe IS user competency or the ability to achieve proficiency in IS usage are lacking. This research develops a grounded model of IS User Competency (IUC) by using the Repertory Grid Technique in an inductive approach to identify a set of user factors associated with IS user competency. Based on the findings, a deductive approach using the survey method was undertaken to validate a subset of the model that focused on IS-specific factors - domain knowledge of and skills in IS, willingness to try and to explore IS, and capability of perceiving IS value. The overall framework of IUC also comprises Personal Disposition and Traits, General Learning and Cognitive Factors, Communication and Collaboration Skills and Tendencies, Job Experience, Formal Education, Generation Factors, and Exposure to Technology. The survey findings suggest that all three IS-specific factors in the model are relevant and important to IS user competency, with willingness to try and to explore IS being the most significant factor. The results not only highlight important factors that can be fostered in IS users to improve their performance with IS use but also present research opportunities for IS training and potential hiring criteria for IS users in organizations

Understanding Gender Differences in Media Perceptions: A Comparison of 2D versus 3D Media

We examine gender differences in 2D versus 3D media perceptions. Using the Hunter-Gatherer Theory of Spatial Gender Differences and Jung’s Theory of Psychological Types, we hypothesize differences in men’s and women’s perceptions of skill, challenge, telepresence, and satisfaction with online experiences in 2D versus 3D media interaction. The findings suggest that even though women perceive lower skill levels and greater challenges in using 2D and 3D media than men, women’s sense of telepresence is higher than men in both 2D and 3D media. Women are also more satisfied with their interaction in 2D and 3D media than men