Managerial response to an information system

One of the most common problems in implementing a successful information system is its threatening nature to users of the system---particularly middle managers. The behavioral implications inherent in the implementation of an information system were studied by testing the following two propositions: • Acceptance of an information system is positively related to involvement in the implementation of the information system. • Acceptance of an information system is negatively related to the perception of the system as threatening. Three hundred thirty one middle managers from five different organizations were sampled. An overall response rate of 72 percent was achieved utilizing an anonymous three-part questionnaire. Various statistical techniques were utilized to validate the proposed scales used in testing the hypotheses. Based upon the data analysis, the two propositions are strongly supported. There is a definite positive relationship between a middle manager's acceptance of an information system and his participation in the analysis and design of the system. In addition, there is a negative relationship between a manager's acceptance of an information system and the perceived threat of the system to such behavioral factors as job satisfaction, job skill, job opportunity, job originality, job status, and job salary.