Practice makes use: using information technologies before implementation and the effect on acceptance by end users

This paper reports the results of a study on the effects of practice, a form of on the job training, on the pre-implementation attitudes and on post-implementation use of an information technology. The successful use of information technologies by end users is dependent on many variables including training of end users. Providing support to workers by training them to use information technologies can have positive effects for the implementation process. Training may directly effect workers' attitudes toward the information technologies making it more likely that they will voluntarily and persistently use the technologies. This research found practice before implementation of an electronic mail system in a business setting to be the best predictor of end users' perceptions that the system was easy to use and useful. The results also showed practice to be the best predictor of actual use of the electronic mail system by end users after its implementation. By providing employees the opportunity to practice skills necessary to use information technologies, managers may be making an investment in training that provides high returns in use of information technologies.

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