-- Information Use --
(Recipient Consumption of the Output of an Information System)

The actual use of a computer system can be affected by the degree to which systems characteristics match user task needs¹, but it can also be related to the whether or not the use of the system is voluntary^2,3. Some researchers have chosen to look at primarily at voluntary use⁴, or used "voluntariness" of use as part of their measure of success⁵. Goodhue⁶ explored Task-Technology Fit (TTF) which suggests that better outcomes (i.e. 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, currency⁷, relevance⁸ and locatibility of data (ease of determining what data is available and where⁹), ease of use of the system¹⁰, response time and presentation (the data displayed is readable and usable^11,12). Measures of use can be either subjective^{13,14,15,16,17,18,19} or objective^{20,21,22,23,24}). Actual usage has been measured by capturing data such as connect time, total charges accumulated, number of clients or transactions processed, and frequency of use. How the system is used, whether for routine tasks or specific use has also been investigated^25,26,27.

Seddon and Kiew^28,29 modified DeLone and McLean's model by replacing the "IS Use" construct with "IS Usefulness."  In this research, the argument was made that, if a system's usage is not mandatory, "Use" is a good proxy for "Usefulness." However, when a system's usage is mandatory, the significance of "Use" as a measure of a system's effectiveness is diluted. Seddon and Kiew based their definition of "Usefulness" on research by Davis³⁰ as "the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance his or her job performance."

In 1997, Seddon³¹ builds on earlier research, and concludes that "IS Use" is actually used as a proxy for "Benefits from Use." Seddon defines measurement factors for IS Use as being hands-on-hours, hours spent analyzing reports, frequency of use, number of user, or use/non-use.

Several behavioral models¹⁰ have evoloved in an attempt to represent the effect of information on the recipient's behavior.  In 1986, from the theory of reasoned action (TRA)¹¹, Davis developed the TAM (technology acceptance model)¹² to specifically explain usage of an information system.  TAM uses perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness as independent variables contributing to attitude toward use, intention to use, and actual use.

Mahmood, Hall, and Swanberg³² studied the effect of 11 factors on IT Usage (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, organizational support, skill level, organization size, strategic applications, information technology maturity, positive attitude, training level, professional level, and education level), and concluded usage of IT systems has strong correlations with: the perceived usefulness of the system by the user, the perceived ease of use, skill level, and the level of positive attitude of the individual toward IT systems within the organization.

From other disciplines came the TPB (theory of planned behavior), SCT (social cognitive theory), and the diffusion of innovations (DOI) models.

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

Select a linkPerceived Ease of UsePerceived UsefulnessPositive IT AttitudeSkill LevelTAM

1 Goodhue, Dale L. and Ronald L. Thompson, "Task-Technology Fit and Individual Performance," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1995, pp. 213-236.
2 Lucas, Henry C. Jr., "Empirical Evidence for a Descriptive Model of Implementation," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 2, June 1978, pp. 27-41.
3 Welke, R. J. and B. R. Konsynski, "An Examination of the Interaction Between Technology, Methodology, and Information Systems: A Tripartite View," Proceedings of the First International Conference on Information Systems, December 1980, pp. 32-48.
4 Maish, Alexander M., "A User's Behavior Toward His MIS," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 1, March 1979, pp. 39-52.
5 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.
6 Goodhue, Dale L. and Ronald L. Thompson, "Task-Technology Fit and Individual Performance," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1995, pp. 213-236.
7 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.
8 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.
9 Goodhue, Dale L. and Ronald L. Thompson, "Task-Technology Fit and Individual Performance," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1995, pp. 213-236.
10 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.
11 Gallagher, Charles A., "Perceptions of the Value of a Management Information System," Academy Management Journal, Vol. 17, No. 1, March 1974, pp. 46-55.
12 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.
13 Lucas, Henry C. Jr., "A Descriptive Model of Information Systems in the Context of the Organization," Proceedings of the Wharton Conference on Research on Computers in Organizations, Data Base, Winter 1973, pp. 27-36.
14 Lucas, Henry C. Jr., "Performance and the Use of Information Systems," Management Science, Vol. 21, No. 8, April 1975, pp. 908-919.
15 Lucas, Henry C. Jr., "Empirical Evidence for a Descriptive Model of Implementation," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 2, June 1978, pp. 27-41.
16 Maish, Alexander M., "A User's Behavior Toward His MIS," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 1, March 1979, pp. 39-52.
17 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.
18 Raymond, Louis, "Organizational Characteristics and MIS Success in the Context of Small Business," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 1, March 1985, pp. 37-52.
19 DeLone, William H., "Determinations of Success for Computer Usage in Small Business," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 1, March 1988, pp. 51-61.
20 Swanson, E. Burton, "Management Information Systems: Appreciation and Involvement," Management Science, Vol. 21, No. 2, October 1974, pp. 178-188.
21 Lucas, Henry C. Jr., "A Descriptive Model of Information Systems in the Context of the Organization," Proceedings of the Wharton Conference on Research on Computers in Organizations, Data Base, Winter 1973, pp. 27-36.
22 Lucas, Henry C. Jr., "Empirical Evidence for a Descriptive Model of Implementation," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 2, June 1978, pp. 27-41.
23 King, William R. and Jamie I. Rodriguez, "Evaluating Management Information Systems," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 3, September 1978, pp. 43-51.
24 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.
25 Ginzberg, Michael J., "Finding an Adequate Measure of OR/MS Effectiveness," Interfaces, Vol. 8, No. 4, August 1978, pp. 59-62.
26 Vanlommel, E. and B. DeBrabander, "The Organization of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Activities and Computer Use," Journal of Business, Vol. 48, No. 3, July 1975, pp. 391-410.
27 Livari, Juhani, "A Planning Theory Perspective on Information System Implementation," Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Information Systems, December 1985, pp. 196-211.
28 Seddon, P.B. and Kiew, M-Y. "A Partial Test and Development of DeLone and McLean's Model of IS Success," Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems, Vancouver, Canada, 1994, pp. 99-110.
29 Seddon, P.B. and Kiew, M-Y. "A Partial Test and Development of DeLone and McLean's Model of IS Success (revision of the ICIS 94 paper)," Australian Journal of Information Systems, September 1996, Vol. 4 Issue 1, pp. 90-109.
30 Davis, F.D. "Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease Of Use, And User Acceptance Of Information Technology," MIS Quarterly, Sep 1989, Vol. 13 Issue 3, pp. 319-340.
31 Seddon, Peter B. "A respecification and extension of the DeLone and McLean model of IS success," Information Systems Research, Sep 1997, Vol. 8 Issue 3, pp. 240-253.
32 Mahmood, Mo Adam; Hall, Laura; and Swanberg, Daniel Leonard. "Factors Affecting Information Technology Usage: A Meta-Analysis Of The Empirical Literature," Journal of Organizational Computing & Electronic Commerce, Jun 2001, Vol. 11 Issue 2, p107-130.