Charles R. Franz

User involvement during information systems development: a comparison of analyst and user perceptions of system acceptance

Abstract A sample of 150 users and analysts from multiple organizations and many system projects provided field questionnaire data to test hypotheses about the differences in their perceptions of user involvement (UI) and system acceptance. The Franz and Robey [Franz, C.R., Robey, D., 1986. Organizational context, user involvement, and the usefulness of information systems. Decision Sciences, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 329–356.] instrument was used for data collection and factor analyzed, resulting in more focused and specific measures. Analysis of the data showed that users and analysts did not agree on the users involvement nor did they agree on their perceptions of the acceptability of the system to the user. Relationships of self-ratings of UI with system usage and system acceptance by the user demonstrated high correlations, which were attributed to the narrow focus of the UI and system acceptance measures rather than the original more global measure. Analyst perceptions of UI showed no correlation with a users perceptions of system acceptance.

User response to an online information system: a field experiment

This study examines the impact of an information system on user attitudes and perceptions of job characteristics. These impacts were assessed with a quasi-experimental research design for a sample of nurses in a major urban hospital. After testing for and rejecting possible confounding influences of the pretest scores, comparisons were made between pre-implementation and post-implementation attitudes and perceptions. Results showed little change in job perceptions and no significant change in attitudes toward the system. The importance of thee findings is discussed within the context of alternative models for explaining the organizational impacts of information systems.

The structure of group conflict in a collaborative work group during information systems development

Abstract This research used an alternative strategy for analyzing speech acts to investigate the structure of collaborative work group conflict. Results from hierarchical log‐linear and regression analyses of taped interactions over 20 group meetings revealed three patterns of group conflict behaviors: (a) high levels of group conflict dominated all meetings between users and information systems personnel; (b) group conflict was exhibited as multiple cycles of conflict followed by accompanying resolution; and (c) group conflict shifted dramatically from distributive, competitive behaviors to integrative, cooperative behaviors at approximately the midpoint in the sequence of meetings. These results showed that conflict plays two important roles in group process: facilitating learning during the distributive period and building consensus during the integrative period. To manage conflict effectively in the future, collaborative groups should understand first the importance of “kicking around the problem “ to...

On the differences between information systems' users and analysts: Managing perceptions of systems quality

Abstract Previous research in information systems quality has concluded that higher user involvement (UI) leads to higher success, i.e., higher satisfaction or higher perceived usefulness. This research has taken a different approach by investigating the effect of differences in analyst and user perceptions of UI on perceived usefulness. We conclude that more understanding can be gained by including the analyst point of view and viewing user involvement as a problem of differences in perceptions. Congruency in this research has been defined as similarity in perceptual views between the analyst and user. The results of this research show that high user involvement remains important to explaining systems success. But the amount of perceived systems usefulness depends on the UI perceptions of the other person (user or analyst).

Obstacle coping during systems implementation

Abstract This paper presents a case description of coping with technical and behavioral obstacles that arose during the implementation of a computer-based budget information system. Two obstacle coping strategies are described as they occurred in two successive stages. The first stage describes coping with technical obstacles resulting from errors and omissions in systems design. The obstacle coping strategies, which were based on rigid communications and formal meetings, produced by dysfunctional behavioral outcomes that threatened cancellation of the system. The second stage describes how the stage I dysfunctional behaviors were coped with utilizing principles of organizational change. The case describes the role of a key change agent, who served as both a technical and behavioral process manager. Key implementation process strategies initiated by the change agent are described and analyzed in terms of their effects on behavioral changes and systems completion. Finally, the obstacle coping process is related to the Kolb/Frohman implementation model and defined as a three step process in which problems are diagnosed, confronted, and resolved.

Assessing process re‐engineering impacts through baselining

Organizations often experience difficulty in measuring the effects of automation‐based process re‐engineering. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) methodology was used as a means to assess the effects of an automation‐based process re‐engineering of a purchasing process in a large regional hospital. Utilizing autoregressive statistical techniques, the automated purchasing process significantly affected productivity and performance both at the departmental and organizational levels. System implementation significantly reduced purchasing lead times, time to receive goods, and the time purchase orders stayed open. At the organizational level, values of issues per occupied bed increased, as did inventory turnover. The intervention analysis performed provided a means for management to assess the productivity improvements resulting from the re‐engineering project. Provides additional insight concerning implementation research and measuring organizational and departmental effects of automation p...

Re-examining the proprietary software protection issue in the U.S.A. for the 1980s

Abstract Recent developments in statutory and case law in the USA now make it possible to protect by copyright, proprietary computer programs from unauthorized copying provided that the copyright-holding party attempts to display the copyright notice publicly. Considerable progress has been made toward patentable computer software, but the issue of whether a computer program itself may be patented still remains unresolved. The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) and the Court of Customs and Appeals (CCPA) have agreed that the application of a computer program, containing a mathematical algorithm, in a process may constitute patentible subject matter. The cases pertaining to copyrightable and patentable software together with an explanation of the wording of the new Section 117 of the 1976 Copyright Act are shown in the Appendixes to the article. The paper presents the issues pertaining to copyright and patent protection of computer software and some relevant cases for each issue. It concludes with a discussion of unresolved questions in protecting proprietary software.

Types of electronic commerce adoption in banks: an exploratory study

The purpose of this research is to study the types of e-commerce adoption and the factors that influence such adoption. A semi-structured questionnaire is utilised to guide the collection of case data from five banks. Five types of e-commerce adoption are developed from the current study: passive, communication, intra-business, transaction and integration adopters. Technological innovation adoption theory is used to study three factors that may affect the adoption types: organisational, technological and environmental. The results show that the extent to the three factors are present determines the type of adoption in the sample. This study enriches the technological innovation theory.

Building a Business Program in Romania: Creating and Sustaining Change

Abstract This article deals with initiating and implementing change in a Romanian university and the problems with attempting to sustain and maintain the change initiatives. An American university received funding by the US government to assist with developing an industrial business management program at a Romanian university during the 1990s. Nine important program initiatives were proposed and attempted, resulting in changes to the established way of doing things in the Romanian university. Five of the nine initiatives were not sustained. The explanation presented in this article emphasizes that the change leadership must be sensitive and aware of the cultural and psychological factors. The explanation for the success and failures of the change initiatives is developed by examining the American partner understanding of leadership to promote participation and involvement with the Romanian partner. Many of the change initiatives were pushed on the Romanian partner, thus failing to gain commitment and acceptance of the change initiatives. When the American support ceased to support the change efforts, the Romanian partner continued the change efforts, but within the old cultural values system that they understood and could operate with. The conclusion explains the failures in that the Americans pushed too fast without the participation and involvement of the Romanians, thus not gaining any commitment and acceptance for the new change initiatives.