Thomas Lee Rodgers

Interpersonal Traits, Complementarity, and Trust in Virtual Collaboration

Trust has been a focus of research on virtual collaboration in distributed teams, e-commerce, e-learning, and telemedicine. Central to several models of trust and virtual collaboration is users disposition to trust. This construct, however, has generally been conceptualized in as a stand-alone trait without a substantive theoretical background in personality theory. This paper advances the interpersonal circumplex model (ICM) as a theoretical framework for understanding the role of personal traits in collaboration in virtual contexts. The ICM posits that tendencies in interpersonal interaction stem from personal dispositions that can be understood in terms of dimensions of power and affiliation, fundamental constituents of users personality. We develop a model that proposes that interpersonal traits, specifically, personality type as defined by the circumplex, affect the individuals disposition to trust, perceived trustworthiness, communication, and thereby affects willingness to collaborate and the sustainability and productivity of the collaboration. The model enables us to unpack the black box concepts of disposition to trust, faith in others, and trusting stance that are currently incorporated in theories of trust in information systems. The theory also enables explanation of trust dynamics at the dyadic and group levels. We develop propositions positing that individuals traits and dyadic complementarity are mediating factors in interpersonal trust and willingness to use new technologies and significantly affect the initiation, duration, and productivity of computer-mediated collaboration.

Improving group creativity: brainstorming versus non-brainstorming techniques in a GSS environment

Creativity is increasingly important in todays fast changing world. The use of group support systems has been shown to improve the quantity and quality of ideas produced by groups during idea generation. Similarly, creative techniques may be used to increase creativity. Therefore, the use of creative techniques together with a GSS may help groups think more creatively. Brainstorming is the most used and studied of the techniques. However, to further increase creativity, other types of creative techniques may be used. This paper presents a theory addressing structural aspects of both creative techniques and GSS, including testable hypotheses. A laboratory experiment is described that tests these hypotheses for three creative techniques (brainstorming, assumption reversals and analogies) implemented using a GSS. Results support the proposed theory. Analogies produced fewer but more creative ideas. Assumption reversals produced the most ideas, but these ideas were less creative than ideas produced by analogies and brainstorming.

Increasing inspection efficiency through group support systems

Previous research has found that that software inspection teams that use group support systems (GSS) are more effective and efficient in finding defects than inspection teams using the traditional paper logging method. In an earlier study, GSS-supported teams found forty percent more major defects and forty percent more defects per inspection hour. This paper extends previous research by examining the underlying factors that led to these improvements. This study found two major contributing factors: 1) greater attention focused on finding defects for both inspectors and moderators, and 2) greater adherence to target preparation rates over time. Both factors significantly improve inspections efficiency and effectiveness.

In search of theory and tools to support code inspections

This paper proposes a research agenda and tool development methodology to support software code inspections. Research suggests promise and opportunity for a practical, people-oriented, and cognitively-based code inspection research approach. To provide theoretical and practical foundations, this paper identifies research assumptions, pitfalls and potentials. It also proposes a theoretical causal model. Finally, the paper presents and analyzes results from a pilot study. Research contributions include: linking tasks, technology, and levels of maturity (using a slightly modified capability maturity model); and positing that, given process maturity and reviewer proficiency profiles, management can better allocate resources (program coders and reviewers matched by motivation, code selection, supporting documentation, and review tools/processes).

Process maturity and inspector proficiency: feedback mechanisms for software inspections

Recent research suggests that people related issues account for as much as 50% of explained sources of variation in software code inspections and that process related issues account for less than 30%. This paper examines the impact of two feedback mechanisms (process maturity and inspector proficiency) on square inspections. Results of a survey of thirty-one experienced software developers and follow-up interviews are presented. Key findings include that significant process variations appear to exist within relatively mature organizations and that teams own inspection processes. The paper also addresses the significance and potential of feedback mechanism research. The findings extend to other formal technical reviews and provide insights into managing different-place, different time inspections.

Impact of technology sustainability on healthcare governance

Healthcare technology investments must be borne by charity, government subsidy, or patient reimbursement. Such investments can be expensive and require partnerships of public and private institutions. This paper explores the relationship between technology sustainability and healthcare governance of multi-institutional technology partnerships. A technology is assumed to be sustainable if the initial investment is paid and the operating costs are covered from one or more of these sources. Entirely possible is need for new governance forms in order to manage the initial and ongoing partner expectations. Can partnerships that initially rely on charity and government subsidy transform into self-sustaining or profitable operations? This paper incorporates findings from a business study of the Brazos Valley Telehealth Partnership (BVTP) that provides telemedicine infrastructure for a group of healthcare institutions who serve a seven county rural area. This paper explores the impact of technology sustainability on partnership governance. The findings are based on experiences gained during the formation and operation of the BVTP. The paper considers the valuation of network externalities. The paper posits that impact of technology adoption on organizational continuity on governance forms. The paper suggests incremental and continuous changes are best addressed by individual organizations or partnerships. For disruptive changes, new organizational forms are needed to isolate the disruptive impacts on organizations and processes. The paper concludes by advocating practical suggestions and further research.

Escape from organizational nihilism: Leadership core values for Business Excellence

Abstract An earlier contribution to this journal focused on Leadership for Business Excellence, as reflected in business and performance excellence models which provide the criteria for various international quality prizes. Consideration of leadership in such models is bent toward competencies and their deployment and, also, to involvement in non-delegable activities deemed critical to the organizations competitive position. Herein a leadership core value set is developed, deployment of which can contribute to systemic leadership throughout the organization. Two subsequent contributions to this journal will examine leadership core value deployment and assessment of Leadership for Business Excellence.

Introduction to Mini Track: 'Information Systems Supporting Quality Care, Patient Safety and Patient Centric Technologies'

Healthcare Information Systems are increasingly supporting evidence based medicine and patient centric technologies. Medical information systems are expected to help reduce medical errors, improve the quality of patient care and safety, and increase accessibility to medical care. This mini-track seeks to better understand the impact of information systems and technologies on patient care delivery and open lines of communication between theoretical and applied research. The three papers included in this mini-track motivate research and further theoretical development.

Mini track: 'information systems supporting quality care, patient safety and patient centric technologies'

Healthcare Information Systems are increasingly supporting evidence based medicine and patient centric technologies. Medical information systems are expected to help reduce medical errors, improve quality of patient care and safety. This mini-track seeks to better understand the impact of information systems and technologies on patient care delivery and open lines of communication between theoretical and applied research. The five papers presented motivate research, present case studies, or foster exemplary methodology.

Developing proficiency in math: cause and effect in a cognitive process

Symbolic mathematical software has become inexpensive enough that it is almost practical to require each first-year calculus student to purchase it. But having a program do math for you might not be learning, and does not teach you how to apply it. This paper examines research issues related to learning calculus including cognitive processes, the role of proficiency and a proposed causal model. Current trends in calculus curriculum reform are reviewed including the need for better measurements of learning effects. John R. Andersons ACT-R theory is proposed as a comprehensive cognitive learning theory and basis for the causal model. The primary theoretical contribution is advocating proficiency as a construct for measuring learning in both individual and collaborative environments. Proficiencies (such as subject mastery, missing elements, and faulty elements) are both causes and effects, and are therefore modeled as control feedback mechanisms (more similar to an instrument panel than a direct outcome). Based on the causal model and precise measurements of proficiency, an experiment is proposed to study the impact of symbolic math software and collaborative processes in the teaching of calculus to university pre-business students.