Kieran Mathieson

Extending the technology acceptance model: the influence of perceived user resources

There has been considerable research on the factors that predict whether individuals will accept and voluntarily use information systems. The technology acceptance model (TAM) has a base in psychological research, is parsimonious, explains usage behavior quite well, and can be operationalized with valid and reliable instruments. A limitation of TAM is that it assumes usage is volitional, that is, there are no barriers that would prevent an individual from using an IS if he or she chose to do so. This research extends TAM by adding perceived user resources to the model, with careful attention to placing the construct in TAMs existing nomological structure. In contrast to measures of self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control that concentrate on how well individuals perceive they can execute specific courses of action, this paper examines perceptions of adequate resources that can facilitate or inhibit such behaviors. The inclusion of both a formative and reflective set of measures provides the opportunity for the researcher and manager to decide whether to evaluate only the overall perceptions of adequate resources or also the specific underlying causes. The extended model incorporating these measures was then tested in the field. The results confirmed that perceived user resources is a valuable addition to the model.

Web-Based Consumer Decision Tools: Motivations and Constraints

This paper examines the motivations for the construction of consumer decision tools (CDTs). CDTs are Web-based decision support systems aimed at improving the quality of consumer decisions. CDTs are useful for high involvement choices, such as car or university programme selection, where the consumer is strongly affected by the outcome. Firms will supply CDTs only when they desire informed, mutually beneficial exchanges with customers. Benefits to consumers include improved decisions and the reduced cost of future decision making. Benefits to firms include insight into consumer choice processes, customer loyalty and reduced marketing costs. We describe a CDT that we developed and tested. The results from our initial work suggest that CDTs are technically feasible, and have value for both consumers and firms.

The effect of definitional variations on users' evaluations of information systems

Prior research has shown that different users can define a given information system (IS) in different ways. That is, two users evaluating the same IS may not agree on what the system actually is. This study tests whether variations in users definitions of a system cause variations in their evaluations of the system. It is argued that users who define an IS differently will use different information in evaluating it. Under some circumstances, this will lead them to form different attitudes towards the IS. An experiment confirmed that definitional variations affect evaluations. It is suggested that systematic variations in IS definitions complicate both the interpretation of user attitude data and interactions between users and analysts. Some directions for further research are suggested.

We Don't Need No Stinking Ethics: The Struggle Continues

Some business faculty think that teaching ethics is a waste of time. Others think that teaching ethics might do students harm. Objections include Values are formed in childhood and cannot be changed, Nobody has the right to tell others what is ethical, and Employers dont care about ethics. This paper offers a brief response to each objection, and presents supporting evidence. It is organized as a set of notes one might use in a debate.

Elements of Moral Maturity

This paper offers an image of moral maturity that consists of seven elements: moral agency, harnessing cognitive ability, harnessing emotional resources, using social skill, using principles, respecting others, and developing a sense of meaning. The description can be used to start campus conversations on the goals of moral development programs.

Do Our Students Want Values Programs

Values programs are easier to justify if students actually want to participate in them. We analyzed data from the 2001 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey administered at Oakland University. About a third of the students thought that developing a meaningful philosophy of life was important. These students were somewhat more socially active, focused on individual intellectual pursuits, politically liberal, and spiritual than other students. They thought that individuals can change society. Students interested in philosophy of life don’t appear to be more religious than other students. On average, black students were more interested in developing a meaningful philosophy of life than white students.

Belief formation and system success: when do responses to satisfaction instruments reflect system attributes?

Measuring information system (IS) success is a key problem for IS researchers. A common measure of success is user satisfaction. Two general conditions must be met before responses to a satisfaction instrument will accurately reflect a systems characteristics. First, users beliefs must accurately reflect system attributes. Second, the satisfaction instrument must be psychometrically sound. IS researchers have focused on the second issue, virtually ignoring the first. This paper discusses the conditions under which users beliefs about systems are accurate. It draws together ideas from social and cognitive psychology, marketing and other fields. The objective is not to discourage the use of satisfaction instruments, but to identify situations in which they accurately measure system attributes.