Susan K. Lippert

Utilization of information technology: examining cognitive and experiential factors of post-adoption behavior

This paper investigates factors affecting the post-adoption behavior of first-tier supply chain members within the U.S. automotive industry toward a new information technology. This paper examined a specialized information technology known as the collaborative visibility network (CVN) used within the U.S. automotive industry that provides enhanced part-level visibility to its supply chain affiliates. Using existing research on innovation diffusion, this paper examines cognitive and experiential antecedents of post-adoption behavior. A model grounded in innovation diffusion theory, social learning theory, and the technology acceptance model is proposed and tested. Field interviews followed by a mail survey were used to collect data from 515 first-tier supply chain users of CVN. A structural equation model tested the hypothesized relationships to support the proposed model. Results confirmed the majority of the hypotheses. The opportunity to experiment, training effectiveness, prior experience with a similar technology, and prior technological knowledge have an effect on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, which ultimately affect technology performance. Implications of this study along with suggestions for future research are provided.

Human resource information systems (HRIS) and technology trust

Scholars in many disciplines have considered the antecedents and consequences of various forms of trust. This paper generates 11 propositions exploring the relationship between Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and the trust an individual places in the inanimate technology (technology trust) and models the effect of those relationships on HRIS implementation success. Specifically, organizational, technological, and user factors are considered and modeled to generate a set of testable propositions that can subsequently be investigated in various organizational settings. Eleven propositions are offered suggesting that organizational trust, pooled interdependence, organizational community, organizational culture, technology adoption, technology utility, technology usability, socialization, sensitivity to privacy, and predisposition to trust influence an individual’s level of trust in the HRIS technology (technology trust) and ultimately the success of an HRIS implementation process. A summary of the relationships between the key constructs in the model and recommendations for future research are provided.

A conceptual model integrating trust into planned change activities to enhance technology adoption behavior

Trillions of dollars are annually spent on the development and implementation of information technology within the United States and around the world. On average, roughly 50% of such systems are considered failures or fall short of meeting the expectations set forth by management. The lost productivity and high costs associated with these shortcomings necessitate the identification of alternative frameworks for facilitating the successful acceptance and continued internalization of new technologies. Internalization is defined as the effective and continued use of a technology over time. As such, this paper introduces a conceptual model for examining the effect of trust and planned change initiatives on technology adoption behavior. We propose that technology trust and interpersonal trust, when coupled with planned change initiatives, lead to greater technology adoption and internalization. A series of propositions are introduced and examined between trust, planned change, technology adoption, and internalization. Implications and recommendations for future explorations and development are presented.

Cultural Effects on Technology Performance and Utilization: A Comparison of U.S. and Canadian Users

Research to date on information technology (IT) adoption has focused primarily on homogeneous single country samples. This study integrates the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with Hofstede’s (1980, 1983) Masculinity/Femininity (MAS-FEM) work value dimension to focus instead on post adoption attitudes and behaviors among a mixed gender sample of 366 United States and Canadian users of a specialized supply chain IT. We test 11 hypotheses about attitudes towards IT within and between subgroups of users classified by nationality and gender. Consistent with the national MAS-FEM scores and contrary to the conventional consideration of the U.S. and Canada as a unitary homogenous cultural unit, we found significant differences between U.S. men and women, but not between Canadian men and women. These results support the importance of the MAS-FEM dimension—independent of gender—on user attitudes and help to clarify the relationship between culture and gender effects. Implications for managers responsible for technology implementation and management are discussed and directions for future research are offered.

Investigating Postadoption Utilization: An Examination Into the Role of Interorganizational and Technology Trust

Grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study examines the influence of technology trust and interorganizational trust on post adoption utilization. This study extends the innovation diffusion literature by drawing upon past diffusion research and considering trust-based determinants in facilitating technology usage. Field interviews were conducted to develop an understanding of the user population and the unique challenges the individuals experienced while working with the new system. The results of the interviews enabled the author to identify which variables to investigate further through the use of a survey data collection protocol. In the present study, 273 first-tier supply chain members of the second-largest U.S. automotive service-parts logistics operation, who were recently introduced to a new supply chain management technology, were surveyed. Using a structural equation model, nine hypotheses were tested. As hypothesized, an individuals technology trust and interorganizational trust have an effect on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, which further influence post adoption technology utilization behavior. The results suggest that even in supply chains where usage is mandated, the presence of technology and interorganizational trust can increase individual utilization of new technologies. Implications of this study along with suggestions for future research are provided.

Toward the development of an integrated model of technology internalization within the supply chain context

Purpose – Integrating information technologies in supply chains is becoming increasingly more important and challenging. The purpose is to develop a framework for understanding antecedents to internalizing technologies in supply chains.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review covering over 30 years of interdisciplinary research was used as the theoretical underpinning for developing the supply chain internalization model (SCIM). A series of 93 personal interviews with members of a major automotive supply chain were conducted, and detailed qualitative data collected, to identify a set of significant antecedents to technology internalization.Findings – The results of the research is an empirically derived framework, the SCIM, including a comprehensive set of 79 directional antecedents useful for academicians and practitioners for understanding factors impacting how information technologies are internalized in organizations and supply chains.Research limitations/implications – Empirically testing th...

Academic vs. practitioner systems planning and analysis

The gap between academic and practitioner research focus and time perspectives inhibits the education and training of systems analysts and undermines systems planning and performance.

Assessing post-adoption utilisation of an information technology within a supply chain management context

Information Technology (IT) has generated profound effects on Supply Chain Management (SCM) activities related to problem-solving, information sharing, and cost reduction initiatives. The influences of individual-level antecedents on post-adoption utilisation of a specialised IT within an SCM context were examined. Data were collected from 272 first-tier supply chain members of the second largest US automotive service-parts logistics operation using a new supply chain technology. Twelve hypotheses were tested through a structural equation model. The results suggest that in supply chains where usage is mandated, individual-level determinants can increase utilisation. Study implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Competing Mistresses? Academic Vs. Practitioner Perceptions of Systems Analysis

This study investigates whether a gap exists between academic and practitioner-oriented research within the domain of systems planning and analysis. Academic-oriented research is rooted in positivism, which assumes that knowledge is objective and independent from the knower. Practitioner-oriented research assumes that knowledge is a social construction – the meanings and values which constitute knowledge are inseparable from the knower. The research questions include: (1) what are the similarities and differences between academic and practitioner research within systems planning and analysis? (2) in which streams do gaps exist? (3) to what extent do themes emerge from the data? and (4) what are the differences in research focus, pre- and post-1990, between academics and practitioners? The findings suggest that differences do exist between academic- and practitioner- oriented research regarding what is studied, which research methods are employed, and what outcomes arise from the specific studies. These differences in research appear to rest in the ideological foundations in which each is focused.

Thinking Outside of the Ballot Box: Examining Public Trust in E-Voting Technology

Electronic voting, or e-voting, is a relatively closed process that contains inherent risks associated with the potential for voting irregularities, translation errors, and inappropriate manipulation (Oravec, 2005). To develop a greater understanding of trust issues surrounding the use of e-voting, an investigation into the public trust and the relationship between trust and electronic voting technology were assessed. Men and women of various ethnicities, ages, educational backgrounds, technological experiences, political affiliations, and prior experience with e-voting participated in this study. Rogers’ (1995) taxonomy of adopters—innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards—was used to classify individuals based on their willingness to participate in e-voting. A principle-components factor analysis (PCFA) with separate tests for discriminant validity and multiple-regression analyses were used to confirm the hypotheses. The findings suggest that innovators and early adopters are more likely to trust technology and express an intention to use an e-voting system.