Diane Lending

Case Tool Use and Job Design: A Restrictiveness/Flexibility Explanation

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the factors contributing to the success and failure of IS outsourcing relationships between client firms and vendors. The proposed research model is based on the relational exchange theory, communication behavior, and transaction cost theory. A survey study of 207 IS outsourcing relationships of U.S. firms indicates that (1) vendor capability, solidarity, continuity expectation, flexibility, and monitoring of the vendor are positively related to the success of IS outsourcing relationships, and that (2) role integrity and asset specificity are negatively related to the success of IS outsourcing relationships. The findings suggest that a strong formation of relational exchange attributes, as opposed to discrete exchange, is essential to successful implementation of IS outsourcing.

Nursing self-efficacy of an integrated clinical and administrative information system.

Self-efficacy is a user’s confidence that he or she has the ability to use an information system. A survey gathered demographics, self-assessed computer skills, attitude and self-efficacy before installation of an integrated clinical and administrative information system. Results showed that higher levels of nursing education, home computer use, and average levels of self-assessed e-mail, Internet search, word processing, and general computer expertise predicted self-efficacy of the system. In addition, previous use of home and office electronics equipment, such as an answering machine, predicted self-efficacy. Implications for training and future adoption of clinical information systems are presented.

The Effects of Confidentiality on Nursing Self-Efficacy with Information Systems

The objective of this study is to gain an understanding of nurses’ perceptions of the confidentiality of computerized charts and determine if these perceptions influence nursing self-efficacy. A questionnaire was mailed to 600 hospital nursing staff just prior to the implementation of an integrated clinical and administrative hospital-wide information system. One hundred and thirty-nine questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 23%. The measurements consisted of perceived confidentiality, self-efficacy, selfreported technology use, self-assessed computer expertise, and attitude. We found that nurses recognize confidential information and that nurses do not think that computerized records are more or less confidential than paper records. Perceived confidentiality and self-efficacy are related. Because nurses that have lower self-efficacy also think that the data found in a computer is less confidential and that there is less of a need for confidentiality for computerized data, hospitals should take steps to improve self-efficacy by enhancing confidentiality training.

Early internet IPOs versus subsequent entrants

This paper examines whether investors in early Internet IPOs earned superior returns to those who invested in later entrants. We document three differences between early public firms in a new Internet technology and their followers: underpricing, operating characteristics at the IPO, and stock price performance after the IPO. We find that there is value in going public relatively early in a new Internet technology. Specifically, long-term returns are significantly higher for the early entrants. We also find evidence, consistent with previous studies that examine hot IPO markets, that the early public firms have better operating characteristics at the IPO than later entrants.

What predicts student performance in the first college-level IS course?: is it different for men and women?

The information systems (IS) profession is one of the fastest growing occupations and the demand for IS professionals is expected to continue growing over the next several years [3]. However, many sources report a growing gap between the demand for IS workers and the supply of such workers [3]. Further exacerbating this gap is the fact the percentage of women earning degrees in the field has declined since 1986 [5]. In order to adequately staff the IS profession, we need to make sure that a sufficient number of both male and female students are completing information systems degrees. Low grades in the early required classes account for much of the attrition of women from scientific and mathematics classes [9]. Therefore, one of the ways to ensure students complete an information systems degree is to assure success in the early information systems classes.This paper proposes a way to predict academic performance in the first college-level information systems class. In earlier research [8], we developed a model to measure performance in this class based on models used in accounting classes [6]. When we used this model we found different patterns than had been found in accounting classes. Our results showed that the Eskew and Faley [6] model predicted male student performance in the class but did not predict female performance. In this paper, we extend the model to try to improve the prediction. This model will be compared for male and female students. We hope to show what determines performance and thus better understand how students of both genders can be successful in the first college-level IS course.

Identifying skills for entry-level IT consultants

In this paper, we present preliminary research into the skills that entry-level IT Consultants need. Our data sources are senior-level IT consultants from six different companies and senior IS students who had just completed an IT consulting class where they were mentored by 12 different consulting firms. We used focus groups and open-ended surveys to get rich detailed data and then analyzed the results. Based upon this, we expand the identified skills for an entry-level IT Consultant to include being able to cope with changes, taking a holistic view of a problem, knowing when to ask for help, being a self-starter and having good time management skills. We found that both written and oral communication skills were important and that senior consultants looked for entry level personnel who were well-rounded.

Active learning approaches in information technology (IT) pedagogy

The purpose of this panel is to take stock of the various active learning approaches in IT pedagogy at the post-secondary level being employed in the SIGMIS CPR community. The ultimate goal is to better understand the various active learning tools and techniques and when it makes sense to employ such approaches in the classroom. The panelists will give an overview of specific approaches they have employed in the classroom and share their insights from the experience. The panelists will also provide suggestions and examples for those who are interested in incorporating these pedagogical approaches in their teaching.

Perceptions of accuracy: effects on computer attitudes and self-efficacy

With the introduction of any information system into an organization, user attitudes towards the system and self-efficacy (the confidence that the user can use the system) are an important consideration. When patient care systems are introduced into a hospital, hospital workers are rightly concerned about how accurate the records will be in the new system and how the system will affect patient care. In this study, we will investigate whether perceptions of accuracy affect computer attitudes and self-efficacy.In November 2003, we surveyed medical personnel at a regional hospital just prior to the introduction of a patient care system. We hope to better understand the relationships between these concepts.

Panel: Preparing the Next Generation of Computer Personnel

The purpose of this panel is to explore different techniques and approaches that are currently in use within the tertiary sector to prepare students in the technology industry for the move to working in the industry. A growing demand from employers for soft skills, and from university bodies for positive graduate employment outcomes is leading to a re-imagining of our approach to coursework. Work integrated learning and industry involvement within coursework and assessment will be presented, together with approaches for encouraging students to engage with industry and the development of non-traditional course offerings.

A Conceptual Model for Communicating an Integrated Information Systems Curriculum

This article discusses the development of an Integrated IS model that seeks to provide students and faculty with a more holistic understanding of the Information Systems field. Through such a model, we argue that students will be better equipped to integrate and find the relevance of the rather diverse and seemingly disjointed array of classes they are required to take to earn an Information Systems degree. We posit that a mutually agreed upon conceptual model like the one developed in this article should be created in all Information Systems departments and can be used as a common framework for enhancing departmental objectives and outcomes along with developing an overall feel of departmental-wide connectedness across classes. The usefulness of the model developed in this paper is then discussed in the light of common IS courses and the widely accepted 2010 core curriculum. Anecdotal evidence is then presented to highlight this models initial success at our university.