-- Individual Impact --
(The Effect of Information on the Behavior of the Recipient)

Measures of individual impact cover a broad range of subjective and objective factors. Behaviorally, actual statistics on usage, such as length of time or frequency of use^1,2,3,4, the number of features or reports selected^5,6, and type of activity performed^7,8 have been taken. Subjectively, the impact of a computer system at the individual level has looked at performance measures, such as productivity⁹, decision making effectiveness, rate of learning (i.e. recall), and value as perceived by the user. Decision making effectiveness, in particular, has been operationalized using measures such as: confidence in the decision made, member participation in decision-making, perceptions of improvement in decision-making, and time to reach a decision.

Task-technology fit (TTF) models attempt to measure the impact that occurs when the tool "fits" the task at hand.  Goodhue¹³ explored Task-Technology Fit (TTF) which suggests that better outcomes (i.e. individual performance) will result when there is a match between the task and the technology used. Task technology fit measures would include items to assess the quality, currency¹⁴, relevance¹⁵ and locatibility of data (ease of determining what data is available and where¹⁶), ease of use of the system¹⁷, response time and presentation (the data displayed is readable and usable^18,19).

Select a topic from the drop-down list below to see research pertaining to each of these areas:

Select a linkDecision MakingLearningTask-Technology Fit

1 Kim, Eunhong and Jinjoo Lee, "An Exploratory Contingency Model of User Participation and MIS Use," Information & Management, Vol. 11, No. 2, September 1986, pp. 87-97.
2 Srinivasan, Ananth, "Alternative Measures of System Effectiveness: Associations and Implications," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 3, September 1985, pp. 243-253.
3 Ein-Dor, Phillip, Eli Segev and Abraham Steinfeld, "Use of Management Information Systems: An Empirical Study," Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Information Systems, December 1981, pp. 215-228.
4 Raymond, Louis, "Organizational Characteristics and MIS Success in the Context of Small Business," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 1, March 1985, pp. 37-52.
5 King, William R. and Jamie I. Rodriguez, " Participative Design of Strategic Decision Support Systems," Management Science, Vol. 27, No. 6, June 1981, pp. 717-726.
6 Green, Gary I. and Cary T. Hughes, "Effects of Decision Support Training and Cognitive Style on Decision Process Attributes," Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 3, No. 2, Fall 1986, pp. 81-93.
7 Zmud, Robert W., Andrew C. Boynton and Gerry C. Jacobs, "An Examination of Managerial Strategies for Increasing Information Technology Penetration in Organizations," Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Information Systems, December 1987, pp. 24-44.
8 Fuerst, William L. and Paul H. Cheney, "Factors Affecting the Perceived Utilization of Computer-Based Decision Support Systems," Decision Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 4, October 1982, pp. 554-569.
9 Rivard, Suzanne and Sid L. Huff, "User Developed Applications: Evaluation of Success from the DP Department Perspective," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 8, No. 1, March 1984, pp. 39-50.
10 Compeau, Deborah and Christopher A. Higgins, "Social Cognitive Theory and Individual Reactions to Computing Technology: a Longitudinal Study," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2, June 1999, pp. 145-160.
11 Venkatesh, Viswanath, "Determinants of Perceived Ease of Use: Integrating Control, Intrinsic Motivation, and Emotion into the Technology Acceptance Model," Information Systems Research, Vol. 11, No. 4, December 2000, pp. 342-367.
12 Davis, F.D., "A Technology Acceptance Model for Empirically Testing New End-User Information Systems: Theory and Results," Doctoral Dissertation, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986.
13 Goodhue, Dale L. and Ronald L. Thompson, "Task-Technology Fit and Individual Performance," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1995, pp. 213-236.
14 Zmud, Robert W., "An Empirical Investigation of the Dimensionality of the Concept of Information," Decision Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 2, April 1978, pp. 187-195.
15 Bailey, James E. and Sammy W. Pearson, "Development of a Tool for Measuring and Analyzing Computer User Satisfaction," Management Science, Vol. 29, No. 5, May 1983, pp. 530-545.
16 Goodhue, Dale L. and Ronald L. Thompson, "Task-Technology Fit and Individual Performance," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1995, pp. 213-236.
17 Davis, Fred D., "Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 3, September 1989, pp. 319-340.
18 Gallagher, Charles A., "Perceptions of the Value of a Management Information System," Academy Management Journal, Vol. 17, No. 1, March 1974, pp. 46-55.
19 Zmud, Robert W., "An Empirical Investigation of the Dimensionality of the Concept of Information," Decision Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 2, April 1978, pp. 187-195.