James P. Downey

Introducing task-based general computer self-efficacy: An empirical comparison of three general self-efficacy instruments

Computer self-efficacy (CSE) operates at multiple levels, including general and specific, although many studies operationalize it at the general level. GCSE, or a judgment of ability across all computing domains, is particularly useful because it can be generalized to all computing environments and it matches the level of specificity for general constructs. However, there have been problems with current instruments, among them the inability to capture the entire computing domain and using levels of assistance instead of task-based items. This study introduces and tests a new method of measuring general CSE, one that is task-based and calculated from specific CSEs, called summated GCSE (SGCSE). This instrument is empirically compared to two other GCSE instruments in their relationship with three common self-efficacy outcomes. Results demonstrate that SGCSE significantly related to all outcomes and that task-based GCSE is the preferred instrument to use for some, but not all outcomes. Implications are discussed.

Attitudes and Influences toward Choosing a Business Major: The Case of Information Systems

Declining enrollment in MIS Departments in Colleges of Business has been the norm for many if not most universities since the dot.com bust of 2000. This has serious repercussions for the departments involved, students, and the companies that hire MIS graduates. In order to reverse this trend, an understanding of the important factors which influence students to choose a major is critical. Of crucial importance for MIS Departments is understanding the competition: the majors students choose instead of MIS. This study examines the influences of what is probably an MIS Department’s greatest competitor: other majors within the College of Business. What factors and influences propel students to major in a business discipline other than MIS? Using the Theory of Reasoned Action as a framework, this study examines the similarities and differences between two groups of business majors: MIS majors and non-MIS majors. Using a survey of 413 undergraduate business majors, this study examines the influences which shape attitudes toward choice of major and a student’s intention to work in his or her major field. Using structured equation modeling, the findings suggest some common influences across all majors (interest in the field, job availability, and job security), and many differences between the two groups (aptitude, social and personal image, workload of major, and influence of family, friends, other students, and professors). These similarities and differences suggest several ways to approach undecided students with the hope of gaining additional MIS majors. This also applies to students who may consider switching majors. The results of the study provide faculty with the information needed to better counsel and advise students, enhancing a fit between student and career, while simultaneously increasing technology majors.

Measuring General Computer Self-Efficacy: The Surprising Comparison of Three Instruments in Predicting Performance, Attitudes, and Usage

General computer self-efficacy is an individual’s perception of ability across multiple computer applications and is conceptually distinct from specific CSE, which targets a single activity. General CSE is currently measured using both general and global instruments, and in many studies, it has been a significant predictor of computing behaviors. But there have been weak or inconsistent results, which have confounded its value as a construct of interest. One reason for such results is a lack of research concerning instrument suitability; another is that current instruments do not adequately isolate the construct. This study introduces a new measure of general CSE, one calculated by summing application-specific CSEs (SGCSE). It then compares SGCSE with two current general measures, in predicting ability, attitudes, and usage. Results suggest that the choice of instrument significantly affects study results. SGCSE was best for performance predictions and the global measure was surprisingly robust.

The Role of Competence Level in the Self-Efficacy - Skills Relationship: An Empirical Examination of the Skill Acquisition Process and its Implications for Information Technology Training

The role of computer training has long been critical in organizations as reliance on technology for strategic advantage increases in importance. How to most effectively conduct such training has clear implications for organizations. This study examines one area of training which is not well understood: the role that competence level plays in the self-efficacy - competence relationship (if indeed it plays a role at all) during skill acquisition. Two opposing conceptual positions are presented from the literature, one that suggests the relationship between self-efficacy and competence will be stronger early in the skill acquisition process (when competence is minimal), the other suggesting the strength of the relationship will be stronger at mastery. Using a sample of over 600 and structural equation modeling, the relationship between self-efficacy and competence for six different computing application domains is tested by dividing respondents in each domain in half, according to competence level. Results empirically demonstrate that level of competence makes a significant difference in the domains, that those higher in ability typically have a stronger relationship with self-efficacy. Results also show that the relationship is weaker for those new to the application and those who have mastered the application. The important implications for training are discussed.

SELECTING A BUSINESS MAJOR WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

This study employed a survey in examining the important influences that shape a student’s selection of a major in the Col-lege of Business (COB). In particular, it compared these influences, by major, to assess which items were most (and least) important to the students majoring in accounting, general business, finance, management, marketing, and MIS. The in-fluences, totaling 37, included internal influences (e.g., interest in the field), external influences (e.g., projected salary), and interpersonal influences (influence of significant others). Some of the findings were consistent with those of prior studies. For example, interesting work was highly important for all business majors, and specific interpersonal influences such as parents, high school teachers, and peers were relatively unimportant. The findings presented herein suggest that the over -all impact of interpersonal influence may have been underestimated in previous studies. Unlike many previous studies, this study showed that job availability and job security were more important to students than interest in the field. This study augments the extant literature in that the survey was conducted right after the 2009 recession, which allowed an analysis of student decision making during a period of high unemployment and lingering economic uncertainty. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. Keywords: business, college major, careers, survey

Toward a Comprehensive Framework: EUC Research Issues and Trends (1999-2000)

During the 1980s and into the early 1990s, end user computing (EUC) was reported to be among the key concerns facing managers and organizations. Is EUC still an important topic? This study examines academic research during this period. A research-focused framework is offered to provide a conceptual structure for examining the trends and issues in EUC. This framework is both parsimonious and allows a comprehensive classification of end user computing’s three major dimensions: end user, technology, and organization. The study examined every article from five leading IS journals (ISR, MISQ, JMIS, I&M, JEUC) for the 11 years 1990-2000. The results indicate that there has been no diminishing of EUC interest and studies during this time, either overall or in any journal or dimension. A discussion of emerging trends, important themes, and journal differences concludes this examination.

Bridge Bidding with Imperfect Information

Multiplayer games with imperfect information, such as Bridge, are especially challenging for game theory researchers. Although several algorithmic techniques have been successfully applied to the card play phase of the game, bidding requires a much different approach. We have shown that a special form of a neural network, called a self-organizing map (SOM), can be used to effectively bid no trump hands. The characteristic boundary that forms between resulting neighboring nodes in a SOM is an ideal mechanism for modeling the imprecise and ambiguous nature of the game

Seniors and Information Technology in China

Technology, particularly information technology (IT), is changing rapidly and offers many advantages for users. IT has the potential to improve one’s quality of life, but only if used. Research has shown that, in most developed and developing nations, senior use of IT lags behind that of other segments of society. This “gray divide” is a concern for government, business, and others. Concern about senior adoption and use of IT has been the motivation for numerous studies and is the motivation for this study of Chinese seniors. This exploratory study examines urban Chinese seniors’ IT use, computers and mobile phones in particular, but also their attitudes and behaviors as they relate to the use of those devices. More specifically it examines several potential factors that motivate or hinder senior’s use of information technology, including self-efficacy, satisfaction, comfort with technology, and both positive and negative attitudes. This study provides some insight into the quantity and diversity of Chinese senior technology use in urban China. Particularly noteworthy, the study found that technology ownership was quite high, and in general the Chinese seniors studied had positive attitudes and beliefs concerning information technology. This is generally good news for the Chinese government, which must efficiently provide services for the growing population of Chinese seniors, as well as for businesses that wish to capitalize on one of the largest senior populations in the world.

The Role of Computer Attitudes in Enhancing Computer Competence in Training

Computer competence is poorly conceptualized and inconsistently measured. This study clarifies computer competence and examines its relationship with anxiety, affect, and pessimism, along with self-efficacy and previous experience. Using a survey of 610 end users, the strengths of anxiety, affect positive, pessimism, self-efficacy, and previous experience were compared for nine different competency measures in seven different domains, including word processing, email applications, spreadsheets, graphic programs, databases, web design, and overall computing. Results suggest that for most domains, affect and anxiety are significant predictors, as are self-efficacy and previous experience, but pessimism is not. In addition, competence in a domain was found to mediate the relationship between competence and its antecedents. These results suggest that organizations focus not only on skills training, but on ways to enhance computing attitudes during the training process.

An Eight-year Study of the Influence of IT Career Camps on Altering Perceptions of IT Majors and Careers

The number of IT professionals in the workplace depends in large part on the number of new university technology graduates, especially in computer science and MIS. Since 2000, this number has declined precipitously, and, despite the modest upswing since 2010-2011, organizations and universities still struggle with numbers. This study examines a partnership between one university and a global IT firm to help increase IT majors through an annual high school IT camp focused on invigorating interest in technology careers. These (hopefully) fun, four-day, in-residence camps, held annually since 2007, feature technology training, appropriate tours, engagement with technology professionals, and education on the nature of IT work and job prospects. Based on extensive data collection from five camps (20102014), participants (particularly males) significantly increased their career awareness and positive attitudes toward an IT career and were more determined to choose IT as a major and career. While we did not meet all objectives, the IT camps played a crucial role in boosting interest in IT as a career and enhancing perceptions and beliefs of IT.