René Riedl

Are there neural gender differences in online trust? an fMRI study on the perceived trustworthiness of ebay offers

Research provides increasing evidence that women and men differ in their decisions to trust. However, information systems research does not satisfactorily explain why these gender differences exist. One possible reason is that, surprisingly, theoretical concepts often do not address the most obvious factor that influences human behavior: biology. Given the essential role of biological factors-and specifically those of the brain-in decisions to trust, the biological influences should naturally include those related to gender. As trust considerations in economic decision making have become increasingly complex with the expansion of Internet use, understanding the related biological/brain functions and the involvement of gender provides a range of valuable insights. To show empirically that online trust is associated with activity changes in certain brain areas, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In a laboratory experiment, we captured the brain activity of 10 female and 10 male participants simultaneous to decisions on trustworthiness of eBay offers. We found that most of the brain areas that encode trustworthiness differ between women and men. Moreover, we found that women activated more brain areas than did men. These results confirm the empathizing- systemizing theory, which predicts gender differences in neural information processing modes. In demonstrating that perceived trustworthiness of Internet offers is affected by neurobiology, our study has major implications for both IS research and management. We confirm the value of a category of research heretofore neglected in IS research and practice, and argue that future IS research investigating human behavior should consider the role of biological factors. In practice, biological factors are a significant consideration for management, marketing, and engineering attempts to influence behavior.

Technostress from a Neurobiological Perspective

Despite the positive impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on an individual, organizational, and societal level (e.g., increased access to information, as well as enhanced performance and productivity), both scientific research and anecdotal evidence indicate that human-machine interaction, both in a private and organizational context, may lead to notable stress perceptions in users. This type of stress is referred to as technostress. A review of the literature shows that most studies used questionnaires to investigate the nature, antecedents, and consequences of technostress. Despite the value of the vast amount of questionnaire-based technostress research, we draw upon a different conceptual perspective, namely neurobiology. Specifically, we report on a laboratory experiment in which we investigated the effects of system breakdown on changes in users’ levels of cortisol, which is a major stress hormone in humans. The results of our study show that cortisol levels increase significantly as a consequence of system breakdown in a human-computer interaction task. In demonstrating this effect, our study has major implications for ICT research, development, management, and health policy. We confirm the value of a category of research heretofore largely neglected in ICT-related disciplines (particularly in business and information systems engineering, BISE, as well as information systems research, ISR), and argue that future research investigating human-machine interactions should consider the neurobiological perspective as a valuable complement to traditional concepts.

Identifying decision strategies: a process- and outcome-based classification method.

This article presents a classification method that makes possible the detection of important decision strategies that people use in nonrisky multiattribute decision tasks. The classification method incorporates a multimethod approach that combines elements of both structural modeling and process tracing. We begin with a discussion of nine common characteristics of decision strategies and then classify 13 decision strategies on the basis of these characteristics. Next, we demonstrate that six of the characteristics can be used to develop one outcome-based and three process-based metrics. In addition, we present an algorithm that shows how to use the metrics. We demonstrate that using our metrics in conjunction with a measure for direction of search allows identification of most of the 13 decision strategies. Finally, we outline the potential of our research for the design of decision support systems such as online shops.

NeuroIS: Neuroscientific Approaches in the Investigation and Development of Information Systems

For several years, there has been an increased application of neuroscientific approaches in the North American Information Systems (IS) discipline. Theories and methods from neuroscience contribute to a better understanding of human behavior. Since IS tries to explain human behavior in the use of information systems, neuroscientific approaches can also contribute to a growth of knowledge. In this regard, Dimoka et al. (2007, p. 13) stated in one of the first publications on this matter: “It is just hard to believe that a better understanding of brain functioning will not lead to better IS theories.” Against the background of the increasing internationalization of business and information systems engineering (BISE), the following discussion deals with the issue of “NeuroIS”. The need for a discussion on NeuroIS is reinforced by the fact that neuroscientific approaches also gain in importance in other business and social sciences (e.g., neuroeconomics, Camerer et al. 2005). In the years 2009 and 2010, there have already been two relevant scientific symposia in Austria which explicitly focused on NeuroIS. At this year’s conference “Gmunden Retreat on Advances in NeuroIS” (see http:// www.NeuroIS.org), which was attended by a number of experts from the German-speaking BISE, opportunities and challenges of NeuroIS were discussed. Here, both methodical and theory-related issues were on the agenda. A central conclusion of the conference was that neuroscientific approaches can help not only to explain human behavior in dealing with information, but are also relevant for design-oriented BISE scientists. This circumstance is of particular interest for BISE researchers in the German-speaking area as one of their strengths is the design and concept of new innovative technologies. In order to achieve a broad perspective on the issue in the course of this discussion, both North American scientists as well as representatives of the Germanspeaking BISE were invited to comment on the topic. The following authors accepted my invitation to this discussion (in alphabetical order): Prof. Rajiv D. Banker, Merves Chair in Accounting and Information Technology, Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University, USA; Prof. Jan vom Brocke, Hilti Chair in Business Process Management, University of Liechtenstein; Prof. Fred D. Davis, David D. Glass Chair in Information Systems, Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, USA; Prof. Pierre-Majorique Leger, Associate Professor am Department of Information Technologies, HEC Montreal, Canada; Prof. Gernot R. Muller-Putz, Associate Professor at Institute of Knowledge Discovery, Laboratory of BrainComputer Interfaces, Graz University of Technology, Austria; Prof. Rene Riedl, Associate Professor at Department of Business Informatics – Information Engineering, University of Linz, Austria. The six authors comment on various facets of NeuroIS that appear relevant and important for BISE in four contributions. Rene Riedl and Gernot R. Muller-Putz illustrate that neuroscientific approaches may be used to explain BISE-related phenomena as well as for the design of innovative information systems, based on three specific examples. For instance, the authors report on a laboratory experiment based on eBay websites. In addition, the authors refer to research and development projects in the IT industry which were presented to the public as prototypes in recent years. Jan vom Brocke comments on the role of neuroscience in design-oriented BISE research, arguing that neuroscientific approaches can not only be used in behavioral research. Building on the potentials of design-oriented research, vom Brocke distinguishes two major research streams: research by design and research on design. As to the former, he discusses the role of neuroscientific methods and theories in the development and evaluation of artifacts. As to the latter, he argues that neuroscientific approaches can also be used for generating and refining design theories. Fred D. Davis and Rajiv D. Banker focus on the integration of neuroscientific approaches to technology acceptance research. Since the 1980s, works on the technology acceptance model (TAM) have been published in large numbers. The authors find, however, that in recent years only incremental advances in

Fads and Trends in Business and Information Systems Engineering and Information Systems Research – A Comparative Literature Analysis

The business and information systems engineering (BISE) discipline, dominating in the German-speaking countries, where it is called“Wirtschaftsinformatik”, is currently undergoing a phase of increasing internationalization and the U.S.-based Information Systems (IS) discipline is often considered an ideal. Studies show that BISE has often dealt with fads in the past – for IS there are no findings reporting on the diffusion of fads. The objective of the paper is to close this research gap. The authors conducted a literature analysis to investigate the development of topics and terms in BISE and IS from 1994 to 2007. Titles, abstracts and keywords of 2,564 articles in three BISE journals and 5,647 articles in five IS journals were analyzed. The results show that BISE is topically more diverse and concrete than IS. In addition, the rate of fads is higher in BISE than IS. Being engaged in fads is not necessarily negative – rather, it may considerably contribute to the relevance of research. However, it has to be considered that an overly intense orientation on fads may negatively influence a cumulative research progress. Hence, the authors conclude that for BISE and IS, which both have a theoretical and pragmatic mission, a balanced ratio of short- and long-term topics seems appropriate.

Emotions and ERP information sourcing: the moderating role of expertise

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a laboratory experiment in which the paper investigated how expert and novice users differ in their emotional responses during use of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in a decision-making context, and how such a difference affects information sourcing behavior. Design/methodology/approach – In a simulated SAP business environment, participants’ emotional responses were physiologically measured based on electrodermal activity (EDA) while they made business decisions. Findings – Results show that both expert and novice users exhibit considerable EDA activity during their interaction with the ERP system, indicating that ERP use is an emotional process for both groups. However, the findings also indicate that experts’ emotional responses led to their sourcing information from the ERP, while novices’ emotional responses led to their sourcing information from other people. Research limitations/implications – From an academic standpoint, this paper ...

Understanding the Dominance and Advocacy of the Design-Oriented Research Approach in the Business Informatics Community: A History-Based Examination

The objective of this article is to explain the dominance and advocacy of the design-oriented research approach in Wirtschaftsinformatik (Business Informatics or BI), one of the major Information Systems (IS) communities. To this end, we employed a research approach based on autobiographical material. Sixteen well-known BI scholars served as informants, and provided career autobiographies in which they document their perceptions and observations regarding the genesis and development of BI. The average age of this sample of contemporary witnesses is 70 years, signifying a rich body of experience. Based on an interpretive analysis of the data, we find that the design of IS is deeply rooted in BIs history, and our results also show that there have always been close relationships with practice. As a consequence, we conclude that the success of BI as an academic community is inseparably associated with systems design, implementation, and engineering. Against this background, we argue that it is unlikely that BI will weaken its design orientation in the future, although external forces signify a shift to a more behaviouristic research approach. In order to balance the internal strength of the community and the external forces, we suggest a ‘theory-driven design approach’ as a viable strategy for the future orientation of the community.

Consumers’ Cognitive Lock-in on Websites: Evidence from a Neurophysiological Study

The objective of this research was to investigate neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of cognitive lock-in. Cognitive lock-in describes a situation in which a consumer has learned how to use a website, based on repeated interactions with it, with the consequence that more experience reduces the probability to switch to a competitors website. A major reason for the reduced switching probability is that interaction with an unfamiliar website typically implies high levels of cognitive load. Researchers conducted an experiment measuring cognitive load while consumers performed online purchasing tasks. Results show that participants visiting the same website multiple times have different cognitive load patterns than participants visiting different websites. The former group rapidly moved from controlled processing to automatic processing, which is metabolically less costly, leading to cognitive lock-in. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications are discussed.

Cultural patterns influencing project team behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case study in Ethiopia

Despite the increasing attention paid to the human element of project success found in the project management literature, empirical studies exploring cultural patterns influencing this particular human element continue to be far from satisfactory. To help further understand the influence of cultural patterns within Sub-Saharan Africa project environments, we draw on a case study conducted in Ethiopias service sector. Apart from the well-perceived cultural values commonly referred to in the existing literature, we specifically investigated the deep-rooted underlying causes, which include Ethiopian cultural habits, as a principal factor in influencing project team behavior. The article concludes with implications and recommendations for future research.

Design Blueprint for Stress-Sensitive Adaptive Enterprise Systems

Stress is a major problem in the human society, impairing the well-being, health, performance, and productivity of many people worldwide. Most notably, people increasingly experience stress during human-computer interactions because of the ubiquity of and permanent connection to information and communication technologies. This phenomenon is referred to as technostress. Enterprise systems, designed to improve the productivity of organizations, frequently contribute to this technostress and thereby counteract their objective. Based on theoretical foundations and input from exploratory interviews and focus group discussions, the paper presents a design blueprint for stress-sensitive adaptive enterprise systems (SSAESes). A major characteristic of SSAESes is that bio-signals (e.g., heart rate or skin conductance) are integrated as real-time stress measures, with the goal that systems automatically adapt to the users’ stress levels, thereby improving human-computer interactions. Various design interventions on the individual, technological, and organizational levels promise to directly affect stressors or moderate the impact of stressors on important negative effects (e.g., health or performance). However, designing and deploying SSAESes pose significant challenges with respect to technical feasibility, social and ethical acceptability, as well as adoption and use. Considering these challenges, the paper proposes a 4-stage step-by-step implementation approach. With this Research Note on technostress in organizations, the authors seek to stimulate the discussion about a timely and important phenomenon, particularly from a design science research perspective.