A generalized model for smartphone adoption and use in an Arab context: A cross-country comparison

The main aim of this research is to propose a conceptual model that explains the factors that can predict behavioral intention to use smartphones and the actual use of smartphones by young Arab consumers in three Arab countries: Iraq, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). The findings indicate that the proposed extended model fits well in the three countries. The research provides information that can help policymakers and mobile companies.     

Why people use social networking sites: An empirical study integrating network externalities and motivation theory

Fast-developing social networking sites (SNS) have become the major media by which people develop their personal network online in recent years. To explore factors affecting user’s joining SNS, this study applies network externalities and motivation theory to explain why people continue to join SNS. This study used an online questionnaire to conduct empirical research, and collected and analyzed data of 402 samples by structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The findings show that enjoyment is the most influential factor in people’s continued use of SNS, followed by number of peers, and usefulness. The number of peers and perceived complementarity have stronger influence than the number of members on perceived benefits (usefulness and enjoyment). This work also ran clustering analysis by gender, which found notable difference in both number of peers and number of members between men and women. The number of peers is an important factor affecting the continued intention to use for women but not for men; the number of members has no significant effect on enjoyment for men. The findings suggest that gender difference also produces different influences. The implication of research and discussions provides reference for SNS operators in marketing and operation.     

Impact of the quality of information products on information system users' job satisfaction: an empirical investigation

Abstract. In recent years, researchers and practitioners have paid increasing attention to the effects of information systems on work-related outcomes. The purpose of the reported research is to investigate the influence of information systems on work-related outcomes. A model is derived from prior research that considers direct effects of quality of information product on job satisfaction along with indirect effects through role conflict and role ambiguity. Results from a field study of 368 users indicated that quality of information product has a positive relationship with job satisfaction. However, role ambiguity and role conflict mediated this relationship. A causal path model identified that quality of information product influenced job satisfaction through role conflict and role ambiguity. Role conflict and role ambiguity fully mediated the relationship between quality of information product and job satisfaction. The results identify the role of information systems in influencing users' work related outcomes. In view of the importance of job satisfaction in motivating employees, IS designers and researchers should pay greater attention to the need for designing quality systems that not only meet their primary information delivery objectives, but also take into account the task and organizational design issues that may influence the work environment of users.     

Extended conceptualisation of perceived usefulness: empirical test in the context of information system use continuance

A technology or an information system provides value to its users. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) successfully operationalised such value as the degree that a system can improve users' job performance. The proposed construct, perceived usefulness, has been proved to be the most important factor for technology adoption. However, many scholars have called for further theoretical development to enrich this critical construct but not much effort has been put forward (Bagozzi, R.P., 2007. The legacy of the technology acceptance model and a proposal for a paradigm shift. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 8 (4), 244–254; Benbasat, I. and Barki, H., 2007. Quo vadis, TAM? Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 8 (4), 212–218). To respond to this call on deepening the conceptualisation of perceived usefulness, this article argues that system usefulness can be formulated beyond job performance improvement and explores several additional usefulness constructs based on well-established management concepts and human need theory. The information system (IS) use continuance model (Bhattacherjee, A., 2001. Understanding information systems continuance: An expectation-confirmation model. MIS Quarterly, 25 (3), 351–370) has been adopted as the theoretical foundation of this study because certain types of system usefulness can be recognised only in a use continuance stage. The empirical results of the research have validated most of the proposed constructs. Significant contributions to research and practice are identified and discussed.     

The significance of attitudes towards evidence-based practice in information technology use in the health sector: an empirical investigation

The article investigates the relationship between attitudes towards evidence-based practice (EBP) and the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in practice and demonstrates that the poor correlation reported in the literature is a methodological artifact rather than a substantive fact. Results are based on structured surveying of 1015 medical and nursing staff, drawn from 15 Greek hospitals. We used unfolding item response theory models to demonstrate that by placing the statements assessing attitude towards EBP and ICT self-reported use on a single attitude–behaviour continuum, behaviour statements have a systematically different location on the attitude–behaviour continuum from the attitude statements. Based on the latent probabilistic relation among attitudes towards EBP and ICT use, the practical implications of the study are discussed.     

Understanding personal use of the Internet at work: An integrated model of neutralization techniques and general deterrence theory

This paper examines the influence of neutralization techniques, perceived sanction severity, perceived detection certainty and perceived benefits of using the Internet for personal purposes on intention to use the Internet at work for personal use. To do so, we draw on a conceptual framework integrating neutralization theory and general deterrence theory. The study finds that both neutralization techniques and perceived benefits have a positive effect on personal use of the Internet. Perceived detection certainty is found to have a negative effect on personal use of the Internet, while the effect of perceived sanctions severity on personal use of the Internet is not significant. The effect of neutralization and perceived benefits are much stronger than perceived detection certainty. The findings suggest that people may think more about neutralization and perceived benefits than they do about costs, when deciding whether to use the Internet at work for personal purposes.     

How information-sharing values influence the use of information systems: An investigation in the business intelligence systems context

Although the constituents of information systems (IS) success and their relationships have been well documented in the business value of information technology (IT) and strategic IS literature, our understanding of how information-sharing values affect the relationships among IS success dimensions is limited. In response, we conduct a quantitative study of 146 medium and large firms that have implemented a business intelligence system in their operations. Our results highlight that in the business intelligence systems context information-sharing values are not directly linked to IT-enabled information use, yet they act as significant moderators of information systems success dimensions relationships.     

Applying an extended model of deterrence across cultures: An investigation of information systems misuse in the U.S. and South Korea

Intentional employee misuse of IS is a global problem. Research suggests that security countermeasures can deter misuse by increasing the perceived certainty and severity of punishment for such behavior. However, the value of generalizing this work beyond Western cultures is open to question. In our study, we examined whether national culture influenced the deterrent capabilities of security policies, security education, training, and awareness programs and computer monitoring. Using U.S. and Korean samples, we found evidence that the deterrent effect of certain security countermeasures varied between the two countries, as did the influence of age and gender. The results have implications for information security management practices in global businesses.     

Experimental evaluation of software design principles: An investigation into the effect of module coupling on system modifiability

The importance of the scientific investigations of software design principles is discussed, and an experimental investigation of the importance of the design principle of module coupling is described. One important dimension of coupling, as promoted by the authors of the structured design methodology, is that of global variable vs. parameterized methods of intermodule communication. It is shown that different proposed software metrics provide conflicting conclusions as to the preferred method of intermodule communication. The three experiments reported herein were performed in university software engineering courses taken by graduate students and upper level undergraduate majors in computer science. They address the effect of global vs. parameterized interfaces on system modifiability. While the type of modification being performed significantly influenced the modifiability of the system, there were no consistent effects due to the type of coupling present in the system.