Abhijit Gopal

Adoption intention in GSS: relative importance of beliefs

Models used to study information technology (IT) adoption were adapted and applied to the group support systems (GSS) domain to determine their applicability and to assess the relative importance of beliefs about GSS in the context of adoption. The beliefs examined were relative advantage, ease of use, compatibility, and enjoyment. Four methods of measuring the relative importance of the belief constructs in predicting GSS adoption intention were evaluated. The methods involved Likert-scaled measures, conjoint measures, direct ratings of importance, and paired comparisons. Compositional analyses using three distinct models, regression, molar, and molecular, were conducted to examine the data collected under the first method. The results of the study demonstrated that the models and constructs used in other IT domains are indeed applicable in the GSS context. The relative importance of the beliefs did not converge across methods, although there was some agreement among the three compositional approaches as well as among the conjoint, direct rating, and paired comparison methods. The results point to the need for caution in utilizing and interpreting regression results and demonstrate the viability of alternative methods of studying adoption.

Advancing the Theory of Adaptive Structuration: The Development of a Scale to Measure Faithfulness of Appropriation

Adaptive Structuration Theory AST is rapidly becoming an influential theoretical perspective in research on advanced information technologies. However, there still exists a paucity of methods to capture critical AST constructs. This paper describes the development of an instrument to capture the extent to which users of an advanced information technology believe they have appropriated its structures faithfully. The development of such instruments is considered critical if the theoretical base provided by AST is to be fully exploited in understanding the use of advanced information technologies. The development procedure, which occurred in the context of the use of an electronic meeting system, was carried out in three phases that began with initial item development and proceeded through an exploratory to a confirmatory phase. Three experiments, two in the exploratory phase and one in the confirmatory phase, were performed. In the final phase, structural equation modeling techniques were used to confirm the convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity of the resulting five-item scale.

Applying adaptive structuration theory to investigate the process of group support systems use

Adaptive structuration theory (AST) provides a sound basis from which to study the use of group support systems (GSS). The need for a theoretical approach such as AST is especially urgent because i...

Research Report: Better Theory Through Measurement-Developing a Scale to Capture Consensus on Appropriation

Proper measurement is critical to the advancement of theory (Blalock 1979). Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) is rapidly becoming an important theoretical paradigm for comprehending the impacts of advanced information technologies (DeSanctis and Poole 1994). Intended as a complement to the faithfulness of appropriation scale developed by Chin et al. (1997), this research note describes the development of an instrument to capture the AST construct of consensus on appropriation. Consensus on appropriation (COA) is the extent to which group participants perceive that they have agreed on how to adopt and use a technology. While consensus on appropriation is an important component of AST, no scale is currently available to capture this construct. This research note develops a COA instrument in the context of electronic meeting systems use. Initial item development, statistical analyses, and validity assessment (convergent, discriminant, and nomological) are described here in detail. The contribution of this effort is twofold: First, a scale is provided for an important construct from AST. Second, this report serves as an example of rigorous scale development using structural equation modeling. Employing rigorous procedures in the development of instruments to capture AST constructs is critical if the sound theoretical base provided by AST is to be fully exploited in understanding phenomena related to the use of advanced information technologies.

Leveraging Diversity with Information Technology Gender, Attitude, and Intervening Influences in the Use of Group Support Systems

The role of diversity among individuals and groups in explaining differences in the results of group support system (GSS) use is recognized in the literature as important but has not been adequately investigated. Moreover, knowledge of such effects may be of limited use if a meaningful way of using this information is not available. This article looks into the effects of one aspect of diversity-gender In a preliminary analysis of gender effects, a model incorporating gender, attitude toward GSS, and variables that moderate the relationship between them is constructed. Data from two studies are used to test the model using the partial least-squares technique. The finding thatfemales had more positive attitudes toward GSS use is examined within the framework of the model, and suggestions are presented concerning the use of this information to improve GSS design and use as well as to study other aspects of workforce diversity. Although the analysis is exploratory in nature, it serves to show that the issues of gender and diversity are worthy offurther attention and demonstrates the usefulness of a modelfor the further study of gender in the context of variables that more fully reflect its role in GSS use.

An examination of the relative importance of four belief constructs on the GSS adoption decision: a comparison of four methods

Four methods of measuring the relative importance of four belief constructs on the group support system (GSS) adoption decision were evaluated for convergent validity. The methods used were: (1) Likert scaled measures, (2) conjoint measurement, (3) direct ratings of importance, and (4) a paired comparison approach. The first method was further examined under three possible approaches: (1) traditional multiple regression, (2) molar analysis, and (3) molecular analysis. Results show partial convergence among the last three methods.<<ETX>>

Are we all working from the same script? Developing an instrument to measure consensus on the appropriation of an electronic meeting system

Adaptive structuration theory (AST) is rapidly becoming an important theoretical paradigm in electronic meeting systems (EMS) research. Despite this, there is a paucity of instruments designed to capture critical AST constructs. This paper describes the development of an instrument to capture consensus on appropriation, or the extent to which group participants perceive that they have agreed on how to apply the structures provided by an EMS to their work. Consensus on appropriation is a key component of AST. However, no instrument is currently available to capture this construct. The goal of this paper is to propose such an instrument with the hope of assisting EMS researchers in examining the effects of consensus on EMS appropriation on group meeting outcomes. Initial item development, statistical analyses and validity assessment (convergent, discriminant and nomological) are described in detail. It is believed that employing rigorous procedures in the development of instruments to capture AST constructs is critical if the sound theoretical base provided by AST is to be fully exploited in understanding EMS-related phenomena.

Modelling the process of GSS use: an adaptive structuration perspective

Adaptive structuration theory (AST) provides a sound basis from which to study the use of group support systems (GSS). The need for a theoretical approach such as AST is especially urgent because it helps explain the process of GSS use, thereby providing insights into the reasons for inconsistent research results. The paper illustrates the development of a research model based on AST, and reports the results of a study conducted on the basis of this model. The independent variables in the study were task and technology. The models process component was represented by the attitudes of group members toward the technology they used. The six attitude dimensions were obtained from AST as well as from other information technology researchers. The model was tested using the partial least squares (PLS) technique.<<ETX>>

Authors' Reply to Allport and Kerler (2003)

We are pleased that our effort has received such interest, and thank the editor for allowing us the opportunity to provide our thoughts regarding the questions raised by Allport and Kerler (A&K) in their research note (2003). A&Ks paper has triggered a response on two fronts. The first concerns technical issues specific to our study (Salisbury et al. 2002), and the second is a more general question that would seem implicit in their paper: What is the appropriate balance between theory and data in scale development?

The Technology Imperative in Education

The technological imperative can be an insidious master. It can become the central goal of our endeavors rather than just one way through which goals can be reached. This misdirection can have very real and lasting consequences. For this reason, the basis for action in terms of information systems development and implementation must be kept visible to ensure that the broader goals remain the central focus of our efforts.