Heterogeneous Use for Multiple Purposes: A Point of Concern to IS Use Models' Validity

It is frequently observed in information systems (IS) research that technologies are used for multiple uses (i.e., heterogeneously). Quantitative IS use theories, including acceptance and task–technology fit models and their revisions, however do not take heterogeneity into account and address IS use on a general level. We present a study (N=116) on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software’s heterogeneous use. We demonstrate that Excel does not have one generally agreed-upon purpose of use but instead several important uses, each user exhibiting a different interpretation and pattern of use. Perceived usefulness (PU) and extent of use (U) receive different values depending on the purpose of use that is addressed, leading to PU–U correlations ranging between -.39 and .45 in the extremes. We find that the ambiguity on what PU and U measure is a serious threat to the existing IS use theories’ validity. We discuss the implications and suggest corrective actions.

[1]  Patrik Floréen,et al.  PromotionRank: Ranking and Recommending Grocery Product Promotions Using Personal Shopping Lists , 2014, TIIS.

[2]  Carla Wilkin,et al.  Acceptance of post-adoption unanticipated is usage: towards a taxonomy , 2012, DATB.

[3]  Heshan Sun,et al.  Understanding User Revisions When Using Information Systems Features: Adaptive System Use and Triggers , 2012, MIS Q..

[4]  Kelly J. Fadel.  User Adaptation and Infusion of Information Systems , 2012, J. Comput. Inf. Syst..

[5]  Viswanath Venkatesh,et al.  Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology , 2012, MIS Q..

[6]  B. Sokura,et al.  Flow Experiences in Learning to Use a Spreadsheet Application , 2012, 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[7]  Philip Fei Wu,et al.  A Mixed Methods Approach to Technology Acceptance Research , 2011, J. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[8]  Antti Oulasvirta,et al.  Everyday appropriations of information technology: A study of creative uses of digital cameras , 2011, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[9]  W. Orlikowski,et al.  Windows of Opportunity: Temporal Patterns of Technological Adaptation in Organizations , 2011 .

[10]  Richard T. Watson,et al.  Information Systems , 2009 .

[11]  Izak Benbasat,et al.  The Adoption and Use of IT Artifacts: A New Interaction-Centric Model for the Study of User-Artifact Relationships , 2009, J. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[12]  Mary Beth Rosson,et al.  How and why people Twitter: the role that micro-blogging plays in informal communication at work , 2009, GROUP.

[13]  Michael J. Muller,et al.  Motivations for social networking at work , 2008, CSCW.

[14]  Moez Limayem,et al.  How Habit Limits the Predictive Power of Intention: The Case of Information Systems Continuance , 2007, MIS Q..

[15]  Burton-JonesAndrew,et al.  Toward a deeper understanding of system usage in organizations , 2007 .

[16]  Ryad Titah,et al.  Information System Use - Related Activity: An Expanded Behavioral Conceptualization of Individual-Level Information System Use , 2007, Inf. Syst. Res..

[17]  Detmar W. Straub,et al.  Reconceptualizing System Usage: An Approach and Empirical Test , 2006, Inf. Syst. Res..

[18]  Robert W. Zmud,et al.  A Comprehensive Conceptualization of Post-Adoptive Behaviors Associated with Information Technology Enabled Work Systems , 2005, MIS Q..

[19]  Geoffrey S. Hubona,et al.  Individual differences and usage behavior: revisiting a technology acceptance model assumption , 2005, DATB.

[20]  Hans van der Heijden,et al.  User Acceptance of Hedonic Information Systems , 2004, MIS Q..

[21]  Bonnie A. Nardi,et al.  Why we blog , 2004, CACM.

[22]  Kenneth A. Kozar,et al.  The Technology Acceptance Model: Past, Present, and Future , 2003, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[23]  Gordon B. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View , 2003, MIS Q..

[24]  James D. Herbsleb,et al.  What is chat doing in the workplace? , 2002, CSCW '02.

[25]  Steve Whittaker,et al.  The character, functions, and styles of instant messaging in the workplace , 2002, CSCW '02.

[26]  Wanda J. Orlikowski,et al.  Research Commentary: Desperately Seeking the "IT" in IT Research - A Call to Theorizing the IT Artifact , 2001, Inf. Syst. Res..

[27]  Bonnie A. Nardi,et al.  Interaction and outeraction: instant messaging in action , 2000, CSCW '00.

[28]  Ronald E. Rice,et al.  Technology adaption: the case of a computer-supported inter-organizational virtual team 1 , 2000 .

[29]  Fred D. Davis,et al.  A Theoretical Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model: Four Longitudinal Field Studies , 2000, Management Science.

[30]  James C. Brancheau,et al.  Adoption and Utilization of Commercial Software Packages: Exploring Utilization Equilibria, Transitions, Triggers, and Tracks , 1999, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[31]  Terri L. Griffith.  Technology Features as Triggers for Sensemaking , 1999 .

[32]  Detmar W. Straub,et al.  Information Technology Adoption Across Time: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Pre-Adoption and Post-Adoption Beliefs , 1999, MIS Q..

[33]  Wanda J. Orlikowski,et al.  Improvising Organizational Transformation Over Time: A Situated Change Perspective , 1996, Inf. Syst. Res..

[34]  Sundeep Sahay,et al.  Transforming Work Through Information Technology: A Comparative Case Study of Geographic Information Systems in County Government , 1996, Inf. Syst. Res..

[35]  F. Blackler.  Knowledge, Knowledge Work and Organizations: An Overview and Interpretation , 1995 .

[36]  Detmar W. Straub,et al.  Measuring System Usage: Implications for IS Theory Testing , 1995 .

[37]  Dale Goodhue,et al.  Task-Technology Fit and Individual Performance , 1995, MIS Q..

[38]  Gerardine DeSanctis,et al.  Capturing the Complexity in Advanced Technology Use: Adaptive Structuration Theory , 1994 .

[39]  Robert W. Zmud,et al.  The Nature and Determinants of IT Acceptance, Routinization, and Infusion , 1993, Diffusion, Transfer and Implementation of Information Technology.

[40]  Fred D. Davis.  Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology , 1989, MIS Q..

[41]  Fred D. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models , 1989 .

[42]  Wendy E. Mackay,et al.  Diversity in the use of electronic mail: a preliminary inquiry , 1988, TOIS.

[43]  Les Gasser,et al.  The integration of computing and routine work , 1986, TOIS.

[44]  R. L. Dominowski.  Comment on "An examination of the alleged role of 'fixation' in the solution of several 'insight' problems" by Weisberg and Alba. , 1981 .

[45]  Robert W. Weisberg,et al.  An examination of the alleged role of "fixation" in the solution of several "insight" problems. , 1981 .

[46]  K. Popper,et al.  Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge. , 1964 .

[47]  M. Allais.  Le comportement de l'homme rationnel devant le risque : critique des postulats et axiomes de l'ecole americaine , 1953 .

[48]  Antti Salovaara,et al.  Software Developers' Online Chat as an Intra-Firm Mechanism for Sharing Ephemeral Knowledge , 2013, ICIS.

[49]  Arash Barfar,et al.  Information Technology Continuance Research : Current State and Future Directions * , 2011 .

[50]  Antti Salovaara,et al.  Acceptance or Appropriation? A Design-Oriented Critique of Technology Acceptance Models , 2009 .

[51]  Anastasia A. Banschikova,et al.  Fourth International Conference , 2006 .

[52]  Marie-Claude Boudreau,et al.  Enacting Integrated Information Technology: A Human Agency Perspective , 2005, Organ. Sci..

[53]  Andrew Burton-Jones,et al.  New Perspectives on the System Usage Construct , 2005 .

[54]  Ronald E. Rice,et al.  Technology Adaptation: The Case of a Computer-Supported Inter-Organizational Virtual Team , 2000, MIS Q..

[55]  K. Popper,et al.  Conjectures and refutations;: The growth of scientific knowledge , 1972 .

[56]  R. Fisher.  014: On the "Probable Error" of a Coefficient of Correlation Deduced from a Small Sample. , 1921 .

[57]  I G JPC,et al.  Weighted Average , 1858 .