The influence of system developers' creative style on their attitudes toward and assimilation of a software process innovation

This study examined differences among IS developers' creative styles, based on Kirton's (1976) adaption-innovation theory. Propositions were developed and tested to identify whether IS developers creative styles were related to their attitudes toward a software process innovation which they had recently adopted (client/server development) and to their overall job satisfaction and performance. Based on Kirton's theory, it was expected that innovative software developers would exhibit more positive attitudes toward client/server development and to report higher levels of job satisfaction following several months of usage. It was also expected that developers attitudes to the innovation would influence their overall job satisfaction and job performance. The framework was evaluated through a survey of 200 IS developers in two firms that had recently adopted client/server development. The findings supported most of the propositions, however there were some unusual findings regarding the relationship of creative style and job performance.

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