John W. Henry

An attributional explanation of individual resistance to the introduction of information technologies in the workplace

Abstract This article proposes an attributional explanation for individual resistance (or acceptance of) information technology. The focus of the article is on the dynamic process of how individuals make attributions for failed as well as successful experiences with information technology and how this process influences individual resistance of new or changing information technologies. Procedures for decreasing individual resistance to (and, hence, increasing acceptance and use of) information technologies are suggested.

Computer ethics: The role of personal, informal, and formal codes

Ethical decisions related to computer technology and computer use are subject to three primary influences: (1) the individuals own personal code (2) any informal code of ethical behavior that exists in the work place, and (3) exposure to formal codes of ethics. The relative importance of these codes, as well as factors influencing these codes, was explored in a nationwide survey of information system (IS) professionals. The implications of the findings are important to educators and employers in the development of acceptable ethical standards.

Attributional style as a predictor of success in a first computer science course

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between attributions and performance in a computer science course. It was found that students with an optimistic attributional style performed better in a computer programming course than those students with a pessimistic attributional style. A second purpose was to examine the specific causal attributions stated by the students and to determine their relationship to course performance. It was found that course performance was related to specific causal attributions regarding ability.

A structural equation model of job performance using a computer-based order entry system

Abstract The research uses a structural equation model with latent variables to examine the role of computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy in impacting job performance. Constructs measuring management support, ease of system use, and the previous computer experience of the user are used as antecedents to computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. The empirical results are generated using 524 responses to a questionnaire administered in a large hospital in the southeastern United States regarding its computer-based order entry system. These results provide empirical support for the theoretical role of computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy positively impacting job performance. Further, the antecedents were found to have the expected positive impacts on computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy.

Gender Differences in Self-Attributions: Relationship of Gender to Attributional Consistency, Style, and Expectations for Performance in a College Course.

Results are reported for a study of collegestudents that examined gender differences in theconsistency of attributions over time, in generalattributional style, and in specific explanations forperformance in a course. Both genders demonstratedconsistency over time. There was no difference ingeneral attributional style by gender, and there was nodifference in specific attributions for courseperformance by gender combined with accuracy in predictingperformance. However, there was a difference in theexplanations for performance selected by men versuswomen and in the explanations for performance selected by those students who accurately predictedtheir own performance versus inaccurate predictors. Thesample was comprised of 113 men and 94 women; mostly inthe 21 to 24 age range (108), followed by the 17 to 20 age range (78), the 24 to 27 range (16),27 to 30 range (3) and the older than 30 range (2). Thesample was mostly Caucasian (176), followed by Asian(13), African American (8), Hispanic (7), Other (2), and missing data (1). Most students werebusiness majors (180), with 21 other majors and 6missing data. Implications of these results arediscussed in this article.

The Service Employee′s Pivotal Role in Organizational Success

As the USA continues to progress toward a service‐based economy, the role of the service employee as a contributor to the success of the organization assumes greater prominence. Examines the pivotal role of the field engineer (FE) in a plain paper copier company. Using qualitative research methodologies, identifies and categorizes the unarticulated strategies used by the field engineers to initiate and maintain positive customer relationships. FEs using these categories had positive relationships with their customers. Moreover, the study revealed that successful FEs were granted in‐group status with their supervisor. Based on these results, suggests several techniques to help organizations improve the relationships their service employees have with both customers and superiors.

Resistance to Computer‐based Technology in the Workplace

There are many instances of documented resistance to computer‐based technology. Presents the two most important causes for resistance. Moreover, also presents solutions/techniques to reduce resistance. The first important cause for resistance is based on the notion that, even though technical barriers have fallen, some features of computer‐based technology are difficult for end‐users to learn. The other is based on a personality profile of the end‐user. Offers suggestions to alleviate both of these sources of resistance.

End-user perceptions of the impacts of computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy on job performance and patient care when using a medical information system

The research examines a theoretically sound model linking exogenous variables to dependent variables of interest regarding the use of a computer-based medical information system in a large non-profit hospital. Specifically, the theoretical model links management support, previous system experience, ease of system use and information quality to the medical staffs perceptions of the impact of the computer-based medical information system on the quality of patient care and their job performance, mediated by computer self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. The model was empirically tested using 384 responses to a questionnaire from the medical staff of a large non-profit hospital. The empirical technique employed structural equations with latent variables. The results showed that all the exogenous variables impacted indirectly on the quality of patient care mediated by computer self-efficacy and/or outcome expectancy. Based upon these results, managerial implications, conclusions and directions for future research are provided.

IDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING MEASURES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ETHICAL WORK CLIMATES

A model of information technology (IT) ethical work climates is presented. Using these ethical work climates and data collected from a national mail survey of Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) members, empirical measures were developed and evaluated. A mailing of 2446 questionnaires was sent to ACM members and 136 usable responses were returned (5.6%). Using these data, an exploratory factor analysis was performed using principle components analysis to identify the IT ethical work climates from the data. Six of these work climates were identified as predicted by the model. Two ethical work climates that were combinations of the proposed climates were also identified.From the results of the exploratory factor analysis, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed using Calis in PC SAS version 8. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the overall fit of these measures to the data and evaluate the psychometric properties of the measures. The fit of the IT ethical work climates model was acceptable. The psychometric properties of these measures were good. Based on these results, conclusions, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are proposed.

Computer ethics: a model of the influences on the individual's ethical decision making

Ethical decision related to computer technology and computer use are made based upon ones personal code of ethics, the informal code that exists in the work place, and formal company codes. These codes as well as factors influencing these codes were explored in terms of a decision-making model. Practical implications of the model are important for educators, organizations, and personnel using computers and computer technology.