| SIGHCI Home | Guest Editors | Papers | Acknowledgements |
Matt Germonprez, University of Wisconsin - Eau
Claire
Traci Hess, Washington State University
Nancy Russo, Northern Illinois University
The papers in this special issue of the Information Systems Journal (ISJ) represent the expanded and revised versions of the best papers from the HCI Tracks at AMCIS’07, ECIS’07, and PACIS’07. A total of 129 papers were submitted to these conferences, of which 62 were accepted for presentations. Eight of these accepted papers were selected to participate in the fast-tracking process with the authors submitting extended versions of their conference papers based on feedback from the conference reviewers and participants. After two rounds of rigorous peer review and editorial feedback from the special issue guest editors, five papers were accepted for this special issue of ISJ.
From Generative Fit to Generative Capacity: Exploring an Emerging
Dimension of Information Systems Design and Task Performance
Michel Avital and Dov Te’eni
Information systems research has been long concerned with improving task-related performance. The concept of fit
is often used to explain how system design can improve performance and overall value. So far, the literature focuses
mainly on performance evaluation criteria that are based on measures of task efficiency, accuracy, or productivity. However,
nowadays, productivity gain is no longer the single evaluation criterion. In many instances, computer systems are expected to
enhance our creativity, reveal opportunities and open new vistas of uncharted frontiers. To address this void, we introduce the
concept of generativity in the context of information systems design and develop two corresponding design considerations--"generative
capacity" that refers to one’s ability to reframe reality and subsequently to produce something ingenious or at least new in a particular
context, and "generative fit" that refers to the extent to which an IT artifact is conducive to evoking and enhancing that generative capacity.
We offer an extended view of the concept of fit and realign the prevailing approaches to human-computer interaction design with current leading-edge applications and users' expectations. Our findings guide systems designers who aim to enhance creative work, unstructured syntheses, serendipitous discoveries, and any other form of computer-aided tasks that involve unexplored outcomes, expect fresh configurations or aim to enhance our ability to boldly go where no one has gone before. In this paper, we explore the theoretical underpinnings of "generative capacity" and argue that it should be included in the evaluation of task-related performance. Then, we briefly explore the role of fit in IS research, position "generative fit" in that context, explain its role and impact on performance, and provide key design considerations that enhance generative fit. Finally, we demonstrate our thesis with an illustrative vignette of good generative fit, and conclude with ideas for further research and final thoughts.
Antecedents of Flow in Online Shopping: A Test of Alternative Models
Yi Maggie Guo and Marshall Scott Poole
Flow is an optimal state of experience that has been studied in various
situations, including online environments. In such environments it has been
found to be positively related to exploratory behavior, revisit and purchase
intention, and positive attitude toward websites. Based on flow theory, this
study tests the complete structure of the flow model as it was originally
formulated in an online shopping context. The role of the preconditions of
flow is elaborated and the effect of website complexity, an important
interface design variable, on flow is examined. Results show that website
complexity affects flow through the mediating effects of the three
preconditions of flow. Theoretical and practical implications of this
finding are discussed.
User Behavior Towards Protective Information Technologies: The Role of
National Cultural Differences
Tamara Dinev, Jayhun Goo, Qing Hu, and Kichan Nam
Computer technologies that protect data and systems from viruses,
unauthorized access, disruptions, spyware, and other threats have become
increasingly important in the globally networked economy and society. Yet,
little is known about user attitudes and behavior towards this category of
information technologies. Comparative studies across different cultures in
this context are even rarer. In this study, we examine the cross-cultural
differences between South Korea and the United States in user behavior
towards protective information technologies. We develop a theoretical model
of user behavior based on the framework of the theory of planned behavior
and national cultural dimensions and indices. We posit that cultural factors
moderate the strength of the relationships in the behavioral model in the
context of protective information technologies. The model was then
empirically tested using structural equation modeling techniques in
conjunction with multi-group analysis. Most of the hypothesized moderating
effects of national cultural factors were found to be statistically
significant. Our findings suggest that cultural factors should be considered
in order to design effective information security policies, practices, and
technologies in global networks where multiple cultures co-exist.
Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.
Applying Relationship Theories to Web Site Design: Development and
Validation of a Site-Communality Scale
Daniel Tomiuk and Alain Pinsonneault
Our study investigates whether relationship theories can be of help in
designing Web sites which foster greater customer loyalty. Based on
literature reviews of Communal-Relationship Theory from Social Psychology,
communality from Marketing research and related concepts (e.g., commercial
friendships), we develop and refine a multidimensional measure of
‘Site-Communality’ using a sample of 305 participants. Each visited one
among several real Web sites chosen across three industries (i.e., banking,
pharmaceuticals, insurance). We define Site-Communality as the extent to
which Web site content signals that a company’s relationship with its
customers goes beyond the formal, ‘tit for tat’ business dealings that are
typically expected from purely commercial exchanges, and instead, more
closely abide by the norms and behaviours evocative of friendships and/or
family relations. Our results indicate that Demonstration of Caring,
Role-Spanning and Authenticity/Genuiness are its most important dimensions.
Preliminary findings also show that Site-Communality is positively related
to the benevolence dimension of online trust which is an important
antecedent of loyalty. The practical implications of our study are discussed
in the form of recommendations to help companies in designing Web sites high
in Site-Communality..
Online Ads in Familiar and Unfamiliar Sites: Effects on Perceived Website
Quality and Intention to Reuse
Scott McCoy, Andrea Everard, and Eleanor Loiacono
Electronic commerce is an integral part of most businesses today. The
perceived quality of the website and whether users intend to reuse the site
are of primary concern to online businesses. There are various factors that
influence customers' intentions to reuse a site. In this paper we
investigate two of these factors: whether the site is familiar to the user
and whether there are online advertisements on the website. The results
indicate that familiarity and online ads do have an impact on quality and
reuse, though it is not entirely as expected.
The guest editors would like to thank the Editors-in-Chief of ISJ, Dr. Guy Fitzgerald and Dr. David Avison, for their support with this special issue. We greatly appreciate the timely and insightful feedback provided by the following reviewers: Peter Bak, Richard Burkhard, Damon Campbell, Suranjan Chakraborty, Dianne Cyr, Rick Downing, Michael Gallivan, Andrew Gemino, Shirley Gregor, Milena Head, Bernard Jansen, Chuck Kacmar, Dongmin Kim, David Paradise, Renee Reitsma, Heshan Sun, Horst Treiblmaier, Ozgur Turetken, Anne Washington, and John Wells.