Malcolm C. Munro

Information technology assessment and adoption: a field study

This article presents the results of a field study examining the strategies and mechanisms used by major companies for identifying, assessing, and adopting new information technology. The principle finding is the identification of several generic models which reveal the driving forces for new technology adoption. The article also describes phases in the adoption process, organizational roles, and information gathering mechanisms. This new line of research in MIS parallels and builds upon technology transfer research and marketing studies in the area of organizational buying behavior. The purpose of this work is to assist organizations with the challenge of coping with rapidly changing information technology.

Understanding and measuring user competence

End User Computing (EUC) is experiencing a resurgence of importance as managers realize it is tied to the new knowledge economy through knowledge-worker productivity. Assessing individuals capabilities with respect to end user technologies is central to both research on EUC and management of EUC in organizations. For this reason, we advance a new construct, User Competence, which is multi-faceted. It is composed of an individuals breadth and depth of knowledge of end user technologies, and his or her ability to creatively apply these technologies (finesse). Several issues are explored, including what User Competence means, how users differ in their capability, and how these differences relate to other individual characteristics. The experimental study of 100 subjects shows that the dimensions of competence relate differently to individual factors, such as gender, education, self-efficacy, and specific software-syntax skills. Reasons for and implications of these observed relationships are discussed.

Growth stages of end user computing

The stages of growth and interconnectedness of the applications of end user computing are described in a model that is directed toward management and planning.

Determining management information needs: a comparison of methods

This paper reports on a comparison of the decision analysis (topdown) and data analysis (bottom-up) methods for determining management information needs in the preparation of management-oriented information system applications. Information requirements were developed using the two alternative methods for four decisions in each of four small colleges. The information requirements obtained by the two methods were evaluated by the college executives as to value and other attributes. The results indicate: l. The methods perform better in some functional areas (e.g ., administrative) than in others (e.g ., academic). 2. The type of decision, programmed or nonprogrammed, affected the value and attributes of information obtained. The decision analysis approach provided a higher valued set of information requirements for programmed decisions than data analysis;for relatively nonprogrammed decisions. both methods were about equal in providing information requirements. The value and attributes assigned to the information requirements were higher for programmed decisions than for nonprogrammed decisions. 3. Information analysis techniques cannot be considered apart from organizational contexts in which they are to be applied.

Expansion and control of end-user computing

Abstract:End-user computing (euc) has risen rapidly to prominence in many organizations. As euc continues to mature, it is becoming clear that there is much more to managing end-user computing than just managing microcomputers. This paper presents a conceptual framework for understanding the overall expansion and control of euc. The framework is thoroughly illustrated using data drawn from two field studies. Implications that flow from the studies are discussed.

The value of information in information analysis

Abstract Information Requirements Analysis deals with defining the information needed for managerial purposes. It is considered as the first step of analysis in the development of an information system. This paper ties information requirements analysis with information evaluation. It is asserted that it is insufficient to simply find “needed” information items but also that such items should be evaluated in terms of their benefit. Three approaches to information evaluation are considered — realistic, normative and subjective. It is asserted that the normative approach may sometimes be applied in lower organizational levels, while at higher levels subjective evaluation is used. Some examples are discussed in this context. Finally, we discuss some procedures for applying evaluation in information analysis.

Managing Micro Proliferation

Abstract As microcomputers continue to reach more and more desktops at companies all over the US- 13 million machines by 1990 by some estimates – the question as to why these machines have become so popular is of interest to many researchers in the IS field. Understanding this PC popularity can assist in management of microcomputer use and development of microcomputer applications.

Modelling and measuring end user sophistication

This paper reports findings from a study designed to develop and test a questionnaire instrument for measuring the sophistication of users in end user computing. Drawing from previous research and from semi-structured interviews of31 end users, an initial simple model of EUC sophistication was developed. An instrument was then created from the model, pilot tested, then administered to a sample of 74 end users in two organizational units. Data from this administration are presented and analyzed, and potential practical and research applications for the instrument are discussed.