It project risk in Hong Kong

This study investigated the project risk in information systems design and development in the context of Hong Kong. While a large majority of the past research studies was conducted using the Delphi method, multiple case study research methodology was employed in this study in order to provide compelling evidence of the phenomenon. Another novel approach was the application of the causal mapping technique to analyse the cases. This technique enabled in-depth analysis of the research results. The findings extend prior models of software project development risk and show some of the subtle relationships among major model components

Impact of Online Content on Attitudes and Buying Intentions

User generated content (UGC) is an important source of information to consumers, yet prior research has not fully explored how certain aspects of the content, specifically the tone, perception of quality and source credibility influence attitudes and intentions to buy. This study investigates how the tone of UGC influences perceived content quality, source credibility, attitudes and consumer intentions to buy. Using the Elaboration Likelihood Model, the study also seeks to understand how consumer expertise moderates the impact of perceived content quality and perceived source credibility on attitudes and intentions to buy. Using a survey and vignette with 209 participants, the results of the study indicate that the tone of the content influences attitudes and intentions to buy; more importantly, consumer expertise moderates the impact of perceived source credibility and perceived content quality on attitudes. The results inform practice on what dimensions of UGC are salient to changes in attitudes

Understanding Consumer Virtual Shopping Behavior in 3D Virtual Worlds: A Theoretical and Empirical Investigation

While (Koufaris 2002) noted that electronic commerce must be understood from the perspective that web consumers are simultaneously information technology users, we argue that emerging 3D virtual worlds add another dimension of viewing consumers, as embodied avatars (i.e. 3D representations of the consumers), who interact with other avatars (buyers or sellers), and are able to purchase products within a shared virtual place. These mediated interactions and behaviors involve cognitive and emotional experiences for which current theories such as the theory of planned behavior and the theory of technology acceptance model might be limited in capturing their complexity. The purpose of this research in progress is to suggest and empirically validate a theoretical model grounded in psychology, virtual reality and environmental theories. This theoretical model is aimed at understanding the emerging complexity of consumer’s behavior in 3D virtual worlds. Expected implications for research and practice are also discussed

You Want It When? How Temporal Dissonance in IT Workers Contributes to Project Failures

IT projects continue to fail too frequently. One reason for these failures is interpersonal and motivational issues in IT workers. One possible cause for these issues is increased temporal dissonance in IT workers, which causes stress and cynicism. In study 1, we develop a measure of temporal dissonance and show its effect on stress. Study 2 extends and confirms study 1, showing that increased temporal dissonance results in increased stress and increased workplace cynicism. Study 2 also partially confirms that there are differing temporal characteristics between IT workers and managers which may cause temporal dissonance

Integrating Three Theoretical Perspectives to Explain Internet-Based Technology Usage by University Students: A Qualitative Study

This study explores how and why university students use Internet-based communication technologies. The study relies on qualitative data collected in the form of interviews, recording of actual postings, and student records over the period of one year (two semesters). The data are interpreted through three mutually complementary theoretical lenses, originally developed to understand adoption and usage processes of information technologies: Orlikowski and Robey’ s (1991) adaptation of Giddens’ (1984) structuration theory, Markus’ (1987) critical mass theory, and Fulk et al.’s (1987) social information processing model. Anticipated contributions include the development of guidelines and “intervention strategies” designed to help instructors encourage technology adoption and use for out-of-classroom communication, ideas to improve the technology’ s technical features, identification of criteria to assess the merits of Internet-based technologies for teaching purposes, and an extension and refinement of the theoretical frameworks informing this work

Time Management and Temporal Dissonance in Global Virtual Teams

Despite popular expectation that use of time management techniques will improve team performance, virtual teams still fail to perform well in practice. Past research has produced mixed results for the efficacy of time management on team performance. In this preliminary study, we investigate the effect of time management on virtual team performance. Using the punctuated equilibrium model of group development as a starting point, we show how a team\u27s process conflict and affect conflict mediate the effect of time management on team performance. We define a new construct, Temporal Dissonance, which moderates the effect of time management on team conflict, explaining previous conflicting results. We then suggest scientific and practical implications of this research

Force of Habit and Information Systems Usage: Theory and Initial Validation

Over the last two decades, information systems (IS) research has primarily focused on people\u27s conscious (intentional) behavior when trying to explain and predict IS usage. Consequently, almost no research has investigated the potential importance of subconscious (automatic) behaviors, also known as habits. This study represents a first step toward validating the idea that one can add explanatory power to a behavioral model such as Ajzen\u27s [1985] theory of planned behavior (TPB) by including the habit construct. We conducted a two-stage questionnaire-based survey involving two different groups of students who had access to a sophisticated internet-based communication tool (IBCT). These data were used to test a behavioral model integrating theoretical constructs of TPB and a relevant subset of Triandis\u27 [1980] behavioral framework. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both conscious (intentions) and subconscious (habits) factors in explaining usage behavior. Furthermore, we share our observations about antecedents of IBCT usage in the educational context. Implications for practice and research are discussed

Psychological Contract Violation in Recommendation Agent Use

We examine whether psychological contract theory can explain users’ responses to e-commerce recommendation agents (RAs). Theories of social response to technology, trust in technology, and technology adoption are used to adapt psychological contract theory from the interpersonal domain to user-RA domain. We theorize that a psychological contract breach will cause a negative emotional reaction, called a psychological contract violation, which, via trust and usefulness perceptions, will influence users’ intentions to follow an RAs’ recommendation. Two studies elicited perceived user-RA mutual obligations, which form the basis for the posited psychological contract. We outline a Study 3 to measure preference strength for these obligations, and a Study 4 to test the effect of breaching these obligations on theorized emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions to the RA. Using these studies, insights can be gained about how to design RAs to achieve important business results and avoid negative side effects