Helen Kelley

Research Commentary---Generalizability of Information Systems Research Using Student Subjects---A Reflection on Our Practices and Recommendations for Future Research

Information systems researchers, like those in many other disciplines in the social sciences, have debated the value and appropriateness of using students as research subjects. This debate appears in several articles that have been published on the subject as well as in the review process. In this latter arena, however, the debate has become increasingly like a script---the actors (authors and reviewers) simply read their parts of the script; some avoid the underlying issues whereas others cursorily address generalizability without real consideration of those issues. As a result, despite the extent of debate, we seem no closer to a resolution. Authors who use student subjects rely on their scripted arguments to justify the use of student subjects and do not always consider whether those arguments are valid. But reviewers who oppose the use of student subjects are equally culpable. They, too, rely on scripted arguments to criticize work using student subjects, and do not always consider whether those arguments are salient to the particular study. By presenting and reviewing one version of this script in the context of theoretical discussions of generalizability, we hope to demonstrate its limitations so that we can move beyond these scripted arguments into a more meaningful discussion. To do this, we review empirical studies from the period 1990--2010 to examine the extent to which student subjects are being used in the field and to critically assess the discussions within the field about the use of student samples. We conclude by presenting recommendations for authors and reviewers, for determining whether the use of students is appropriate in a particular context, and for presenting and discussing work that uses student subjects.

Information Systems Effectiveness in Small Businesses: Extending a Singaporean Model in Canada

This study examines the applicability of the Thong, Yap, and Raman (1996) model of information systems (IS) effectiveness tested among Singaporean small businesses in a Canadian context. The model evaluates the importance of managerial support and external expertise (vendors and consultants) for IS effectiveness. This study extends the Thong et al. model by adding an intention of expansion construct. The sample included 105 small business users of IS in a small city in western Canada. The results show that both managerial and vendor support are essential for effective IS in Canadian small businesses, and supported part of the relations between IS effectiveness and intention of expansion. Overall, the results suggest that managers should engage quality vendors to obtain IS that contribute to the specific goals of the small business. The results of the Canadian study were, for the most part, similar to the results reported in the Singaporean study; however, a few notable differences appear to exist.

Morality and technology, or is it wrong to create and let loose a computer virus

Stories about computer related actions (e.g., placing a document about how a computer virus works on an electronic network/bulletin board) were presented to users. Data indicate that women end users compared to men have a less libertarian sense of what is right and wrong and also, younger respondents are more libertarian than their older compatriots. Data also indicate that participants are less likely to endorse civil liberties and more concerned about the harm and violations of social norms when the scenario describes a context specific situation. Researchers and policy makers may be concerned about how to maintain and protect the privacy of individuals, and at the same time ensure moral conduct by end users who enjoy using the electronic highway. Suggestions are made for developing theoretical models of moral judgment in the cyberspace domain.<<ETX>>

Today’s Information Highway and Tomorrow’s Organisation: Managing Privacy, Marketing and Strategic Issues Successfully

Die InfoBahn bietet Organisationen und Menschen sowohl neue Moglichkeiten als auch versteckte Gefahren. Relevante technologische Entwicklungen werden hier kurz umrissen und analysiert. Aktive Mitwirkung von Firmen an diesen Entwicklungen bedingt jedoch eine Neuformulierung der Marketing-Strategien, wobei Datenschutz wie auch Kosten unbedingt berucksichtigt werden mussen. Die Globalisierung des Handels mit Hilfe neuer Kommunikationsansatze und Technologien eroffnet europaischen Firmen aus dem Mittelstand neue Moglichkeiten, sich gegenuber Grosfirmen erfolgreich durchzusetzen. Dieser Artikel hilft Leserinnen und Lesern, ihren Firmen das Konzept einer erfolgreichen Web-Prasenz auf der InfoBahn zu ermoglichen.

Social theory for software engineering research

Many challenges in software projects are sociological, psychological or managerial in nature. Without knowledge of social science, developers, managers and researchers may misunderstand the social aspects of their projects, leading to ineffective decisions and actions. Yet, social science theories are rarely applied to Software Engineering (SE). Furthermore, understanding a single software project frequently necessitates combining multiple theories---often from several disciplines. This paper therefore aims to illustrate how certain social theories work together in a complementary manner to understand various dynamics of a software development project. To illustrate this, seven theories to understand key dynamics --- Actor Network Theory, Theory of Boundary Objects, Complexity Theory, Theory of Cognitive Biases, Effectuation Theory, Sensemaking-Coevolution-Implementation Theory and Transactive Memory Theory --- are used to explain a longitudinal study of a software development project. This study illustrates the need for integrating more social science into SE research and curriculum.

Shifting Responsibility for Health and Healthy Lifestyles: Exploring Canadian Trends

Canadians are extremely proud of their universal healthcare system. However, today this system is in trouble. Skyrocketing costs caused by multiple factors including an ageing-population (Baxter, 2002), expensive health technologies (Downey et al., 2007), pressures from a shortage of workers in the healthcare field (Dirnfeld, 2002), and escalation of chronic diseases such as diabetes (Canadian Diabetes Association and Diabete Quebec, 2005) are combining with individual demands for services and pharmaceuticals. This phenomenon is being accelerated by increasing amounts of health information and enormous advertising campaigns aimed at influencing individual demand for pharmaceuticals. But at this unique time in the history of healthcare in Canada, there are three growing trends that may curb the cost crisis and reduce demand for healthcare services: a movement in the healthcare system towards prevention of morbidity rather than treatment after onset; the increase in both societal and individual interest in healthier living; and an increasing movement towards employee health promotion in the workplace.