Extending the Concept of Control Beliefs: Integrating the Role of Advice Networks

Robert, Lionel Jr.; Tracy, Sykes

Robert, Lionel Jr.; Tracy, Sykes

2016-10-10

Other Titles: Research Note: Extending the Concept of Control Beliefs: Integrating the Role of Advice Networks

Citation: Robert Jr, L. P., & Sykes, T. A. 2016. Extending the Concept of Control Beliefs: Integrating the Role of Advice Networks. Information Systems Research, 28(1), pp. 84–96.

Abstract: Although control beliefs (CBs) can represent many different types of controls, information systems researchers have focused primarily on CBs related to technical compatibility, resource availability, and computer self-efficacy. More recent research has recognized that co-worker advice, which represents situated and improvised learning, can also be an important factor that can enable or impede system use. In addition, because advice from co workers represents the social context by which the impacts of other traditional CBs are embedded, they may have the potential to alter the relationships between traditional CBs and system use. Against this backdrop, we examined the direct effects of CBs about advice from co-workers on system use as well as its ability to moderate the effects of other types of CBs on system use. To accomplish this, we conducted a three-month study of 112 employees in one business unit of an organization. Results supported our hypotheses that CBs about advice from co-workers directly influence system use and moderate the effects of other CBs on system use.

ISSN: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/isre.2016.0666

Handle:
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/134402

URI:
https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2016.0666

Subject(s): user acceptance of IT, IT diffusion and adoption, network analysis, technology acceptance, theory of planned behavior, richer system use, deep structure use, user acceptance, control beliefs, co-worker advice, advice networks, computer self efficacy, facilitating conditions, technical facilitating conditions, resource facilitating conditions, situated learning, improvised learning, social networks, technology adoption, behavioral intention, system use, technology acceptance model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, TAM, UTAUT

Description: Organizations spend millions of dollars to implement new information systems with the aim of increasing employee efficiency and effectiveness through the utilization of these new systems. Unfortunately, this rarely occurs. Recently, co-workers have been shown to be not only an important source of technical help, but in many cases a preferred option to the more formal help desk services provided by organizations. Yet, to be able to fully leverage this help we need to understand how it complements existing organizational factors like formal training programs and help desk support. To accomplish this, we conducted a 3-month study of a new enterprise system involving 112 employees in one business unit of an organization. We found that because co-workers have similar jobs, attended similar training programs and are familiar with both the user and the organizational support services they were not only able to provide direct advice on how to employ new systems but also provide advice on how to exploit the other organizational resources available to new users. In fact, without the help from co-workers other organizational resources have little effect on an employee’s ability to use new systems to accomplish vital task on behalf of their organizations.

Type(s): Article

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