Browsing by Author "Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A."

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Attribution Theory: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding Information Systems Success
(2015-07-29) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.; Snead, Ken C.; Magal, Simha R.; Christensen, Linda F.
Abstract Information systems research often employs user satisfaction with, use of, and perceived organizational benefits of, newly-developed systems as measures of information system success. Further, this stream of research attempts to associate these measures of success with a myriad of hypothesized determinants involving organizational, personal, task, and system characteristics, as well as characteristics of the implementation process. Initial research in this area was criticized for the dearth of theoretical underpinning employed. Subsequent to these criticisms, underlying theory from a variety of disciplines now guides much of this research. Of particular interest to this research effort are the tenets of a well-established theory in the area of social psychology-attribution theory. While attribution theory has been employed in some of the more recent works investigating factors related to information system success, none of these works simultaneously consider the theory’s information and motivational antecedents along with the success/failure nature of the system’s outcomes, users’ perceptions of the causes of the outcomes (attributions), and the reported level of user satisfaction with the system. In response, the current study develops a model for the simultaneous empirical examination of these issues by incorporating them into a behavioral decision making methodology administered to Professional MBA students. The study’s results support the relevance of attribution theory as a theoretical framework for understanding those factors determining users’ attributions for information system-related outcomes, as well as the influence of these attributions and the nature of the system outcome on the level of users’ satisfaction with the system.
Attributional Bias as a Source of Conflict Between Users and Analysts in an Information Systems Development Context - Hypothesis Development
(2015-07-29) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.; Snead, Kenneth C.
One potential Obstacle to Effective information system development involves the conflict between users and developers. It has been argued that information systems development personnel have different perceptions of what constitutes systems effectiveness than do users. Systems objectives are accomplished from the developers viewpoint when the system has technical validity. Systems objectives are accomplished from the users viewpoint when the system has organizational validity. Differences in the assessment of information systems project success are accentuated when users perceive the project as a failure. Attribution theory, a social psychology theory, is employed here to explain the source and outcome of such conflict. Also discussed are alternative ways of resolving those differences.
DECISION QUALITY: THE IMPACT OF PROCESS REDESiGN AS AN INTANGIBLE, BENEFIT ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT DECI SIONS
(2015-07-31) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.
IT investment decisions often focus on tangible costs and benefits such as technical, strategic, and financial issues. Less tangible benefits such as process redesign integration, bave been largely ignored. Decisions makers who rely solely on these tangible costs and benefits for their assessment of IT investment value without integrating intangible benefit consideration may be making sub-optimal decisions and investments. This study looked at rhe important, yet often overlooked, intangible benefits consideration in the IT investment decision process with particular focus on process redesign as an intangible benefit. Survey questionnaires were sent out to a sample of 949 firms in three industries: healthcare, chemical, and insurance to solicit information from the chief information officer (CIo) on the level at which they integrate process redesign consideration in the IT inr-eshnent decision. Several important findings resulted from this research effort. First, the study irm"nr;fied seven component factors of process redesign and used these factors to measure the M of process redesign integration into the IT investment decision. Second, the study mfirmed, empirically, that there was an association between the consideration of tangible and intangible benefits. Those firms that expend large effort or resources towards tangible benef,rts consideration also spend more effort or resources toward intangible benefits consideration than otherwise. Third, it was empiricaliy determined that certain process redesign benefit factors received greater consideration than others. Fourth, it was determined #mr decision makers considered tangible benefits to be more important than intangible hmefits consideration and expended a greater portion of effort or resources towards the mideration of the former. Finally, this study found that the strategic relevance of IT in an organization was associated with the level of effort or resource deployment towards intangible benefits. Additional areas for further research were also identified.
Gendered Perspectives on the Digital Divide, IT Education, and Workforce Participation in Kenya
(2015-07-29) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.; Kvasny, Lynette; Payton, Fay Cobb; Mbarika, Victor W.
Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine gendered perspectives on the digital divide, motivations for engaging in information technology (IT) education, and expectations regarding IT workforce participation in Kenya. Researchers interviewed 32 women and 31 men matriculating in an undergraduate IT-focused program at a Kenyan university. Interviewees reported that IT careers demand technical expertise, and a strong educational background in technology and business. However, their ability to meet these demands was hindered by significant national challenges such as restrictive IT policies, inadequate access to technology and educational resources, and a limited number of local firms that demonstrate the ability to manage advanced technology and IT workers. Women were particularly concerned about gender discrimination in the workplace. These findings imply that IT education and workforce entry require a complex mix of digital technologies, organizational capacity building, gender equity, and IT policy remedies.
Information systems education in Kenya: Students’ specialization choice trends (a case study of Kenya Polytechnic University College)
(2015-07-29) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the time and level of Information Systems (IS) awareness among Kenyan university students and the choice of IS as a field of specialization. The study posited that the choice of a field of specialization is dependent upon a student’s awareness of its existence, its utilization in the real world, its career opportunities, and its strategic importance to the country’s economic development agenda. It posited further that early IS awareness could have a positive impact on the choice of IS as a field of specialization. The underlying assumptions were that the time of IS awareness as a field of specialization among Kenyan university business students was late and levels low, leading to possible low levels of choice of IS as a field of specialization. Using the survey method, the case study found late and low levels of IS awareness as a field of specialization among university business students. Future studies linking time and levels of IS awareness with choice of IS as a filed of specialization and with existence of requisite IS skills in the country (or lack thereof) are suggested.
IT Education and Workforce Participation: A New Era for Women in Kenya?
(2015-07-29) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.; Mbarika, Victor W. A.; Payton, Fay Cobb; Kvasny, Lynette
While Sub-Saharan African women have historically assumed the roles of both housewives and subsistence farmers, they have had few opportunities to participate in the modern economies of the region. However, this trend is changing with the exponential growth of information and communications technologies (ICT), giving many Sub-Sahara African women access to computers, the Internet, and other related technologies. Based on the work of a four-member research team fromKenya and the United States, this article examines the integration of female college students into the formal ICT work sector in Kenya. We do so by examining major bottlenecks and enablers to such integration from historical and contemporary perspectives. Using an interpretive approach, we conducted 32 interviews with women in an ICT program offered by a university in Kenya. Our findings indicate that women were highly optimistic, embracing ICT as a practical mechanism for achieving entry into the labor market. However, they perceived significant structural barriers, such as public policies that failed to facilitate the develop-ment of the ICT sector, gender discrimination by employers, and training that provided them with insufficient technical skills to enable them to effectively perform in the workplace. These findings largely confirm the gendered perspectives found in similar studies conducted in other countries. However, what appear as global perspectives are informed by the local causes.
What strategic alignment, process redesign, enterprise resource planning, and e-commerce have in common: enterprise-wide computing
(2015-07-31) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.
Unlike other purchases of IT that have failed to deliver measurable improvements in corporate performance, enterprise-wide information system in the manufacturing industry have immediate and positive impact on the bottom line. The transition from strategic alignment as the basis for IT investment, to redesigned business process as the critical elements of organizational strategic planning to which IT investments must be targeted, to the integration of these processes into enterprise-wide system, to e-commerce is examined. With supply chain collaboration, information systems have exited corporate boundaries.
Women and Information Technology in Sub-Saharan Africa
(2015-07-29) Ndede-Amandi, Atieno A.; Mbarika, Victor; Payton, Fay Cobb; Duplechain, Stephanie; Mbarika, Eunice
ABSTRACT “ICTs are important tools that provide the [Sub-Saharan Africa] woman access to lifelong learning and training, to productive assets, and to credit. Neglecting to give women access to these tools not only deprives them and their families of income, but reduces the skill-level of a nation’s human resource, limits national productivity, and bars a country from being competitive in the global market” (International Telecommunications Union, 2003).