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The impact of demographics, media experience, media richness perception, and national culture on media preferences are examined to assess the users' preferences for instant messaging (IM) compared to other traditional and new communication media, face-to-face, telephone, email, and short messaging service (SMS) in two distinct cultures, Australia and China. Email is clustered with face-to-face and telephone as the most preferred media for any communication activity, while IM and SMS are clustered together and are the least preferred media for communication.

Business-information systems (IS) alignment has become an important strategic imperative for organizations competing in the global economy. Recent research (Reich and Benbasat [56]) indicates that building a shared understanding between business and IS executives is one way of strengthening this alignment. This paper describes a study that examines the cognitive basis of shared understanding between business and IS executives. Using Personal Construct Theory (Kelly [36]), this study uses cognitive mapping techniques to explore the commonalities and individualities in the cognition between these executives. Eighty business and IS executives in six companies participated in this study. The results indicate that a higher level of cognitive commonality is positively related to a higher level of business-IS alignment. This is supported by findings that greater diversity in cognitive structure and cognitive content of business and IS executives coincide with a lower level of alignment. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed. Index Terms--Business-IS alignment, cognitive mapping, personal construct theory, repertory grid technique, shared cognition, shared understanding.

The implementation of a new enterprise system is a major change event for end-users. Since organisations need to modify their processes and structures to align with the enterprise system, users must learn and understand the new system as well as engage with it in their work practices. Past research has largely focused on the initial organisational adoption of an enterprise system. However, there has been little research concerning the change process in the post-adoption stage. This research addresses this gap by drawing on the punctuated sociotechnical information system change (PSIC) model to explain the change through critical events, gaps between socio-technical components, responses to gaps, and outcomes. The research question is: How do socio-technical changes unfold in an enterprise system implementation? The study employs a qualitative interpretive case study method. The results reveal that changes in the structure of work following enterprise system implementation affect organisational performance, the social system, and individual work practices. This research contributes to a better understanding of technical and social changes and their impacts in the post-adoption of enterprise system implementation. The findings may assist organisations in providing appropriate resources and support for successful enterprise system implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household electricity wastage poses a sustainability issue. Ergonomic interventions that prevent wastage through technological innovations are expensive and complex, making consumers unwilling to adopt them. The study aimed to investigate the motivations and impediments in avoiding electricity wastage. Thirteen Repertory Grid interviews were conducted on household electricity users relating to the behaviour of those living with them. The key motivational themes found were altruistic and egoistic reasons while the impediments were perceived behavioural control, hedonism and self-efficacy. Based on the research findings, a behavioural modification framework was developed to encourage consumers to adopt a higher level of responsible electricity practice through the following suggested interventions - (1) reframing sustainability from ‘future-for-others’ to ‘present-for-us’, (2) clarifying responsible consumption and (3) performance feedback. The research identified the key motivations and impediments of being a responsible household electricity user and provided a framework to encourage a higher responsibility level. Practitioner Summary: Household electricity wastage poses sustainability issue: excess CO2 & high costs. We developed a mindset changing behavioural modification framework. We investigated HFE issues: motivations & impediments of avoiding the wastage, i.e. altruistic, egoistic, behavioural control, hedonism & self-efficacy. The framework provides governments insights into strategies to address the wastage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the role of user-generated content (UGC) in travel planning, this study integrates Psychological Empowerment with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), to develop a model of UGC-enabled empowerment and its impact on intention to use UGC when making travel plans. Survey data from 268 backpacker tourists revealed that perceived empowerment and perceived usefulness are significant drivers of attitude and intention to use UGC for travel planning. The findings provide the travel industry with a better understanding of how travelers’ perceptions of and use of UGC is empowering them to take greater control of the travel planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An organization's success in e-business is significantly affected by the quality of its website. However, many websites are unable to retain the attention of their customers, arguably because they only cater to some of the needs of their customers. This study adopts a design science approach to develop a new methodology for designing websites that addresses the psychological, sociological, and cognitive needs of individual users. The methodology is based on multidisciplinary principles drawn from the field of design, as they provide a framework for structuring the various concerns of users. This study contributes by developing a website design methodology anchored in users' needs, so that the websites it produces are successful in achieving their goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a descriptive review of the information system (IS) infusion literature and proposes a structured framework of factors influencing IS infusion. The IS infusion stage, the last stage of IS implementation, is associated with IS implementation success and evidence suggests the depth of IS use leads to increased efficiency and effectiveness. Despite the introduction of the IS infusion concept in the late 1980s, we observe only a small number of empirical studies that examine factors influencing IS infusion at an organizational and an individual level. In addition, some studies show conflicting results and there is no framework to organize previous studies in a meaningful way. We believe that a descriptive review is an appropriate approach at the current state of IS infusion literature. Given the importance of IS infusion, it seems timely to develop a structured framework detailing all the key factors influencing IS infusion found in the extant literature. The framework is drawn from factors derived from theories used in previous IS infusion studies, such as the technology organization environment theory and the theory of planned behavior, to classify different types of influencing factors namely organization, technology, task-job, firm environment and the individual factors. This review paper facilitates further theory development in the IS infusion domain by highlighting under-researched areas, suggesting future directions, and providing a reference source and a classified framework for IS researchers interested in IS infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile learning (m-learning) is gaining popularity as the 'anytime, anywhere' online learning channel. Academics and practitioners alike are showing interest in examining its ability to support online learning. However, prior studies have highlighted the challenges in promoting m-learning adoption. The extant m-learning literature has mainly focused on technology-related factors to examine m-learning adoption. However, few studies have investigated this topic from the users' motivation perspective and even fewer from an adult learner context. Hence, this study employs the uses and gratification theory to provide a better understanding of what motivates m-learning adoption in adult learners. The research findings suggest that adult learners' intention to use m-learning is influenced by their cognitive, affective and social needs through attitude. This paper concludes by noting the theoretical and practical contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on IT governance has tended to focus on the issue within a single organizational environment. Our understanding of IT governance in an inter-organizational context remains limited. In addition, few have taken a socio-technical perspective. The aim of the study is therefore to empirically explore the impacts of socio-technical factors on the effectiveness of IT governance for a collaborative network by examining three IT governance elements: structure, process and relational mechanism. This paper reports on the findings of the pilot phase of the broader study. The findings indicate that more effective collaborative IT governance is associated with an active involvement of a governing body; a co-ordinated communication process; and the presence of relational culture and attitudinal commitment. Theoretical and managerial implications of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autotelic Personality represents an important individual construct in flow theory yet little is known about its underlying dimensions. Csikszentmihalyi (1988) suggested that the higher the autotelic nature of an individual, the more likely for him/her to experience flow. This study explores autotelic personality, its underlying dimensions and its relationship with perceived playfulness in the context of Mobile Information and Entertainment Services (MIES). This study found Autotelic Personality to be an important quality in order for users to experience perceived playfulness in the MIES context. Several underlying dimensions of Autotelic Personality were identified, including personal innovativeness, self efficacy and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations are increasingly using websites not only to capture but also to build relationships with their desired markets. A clear understanding of how best to design effective B2C websites (for both e-commerce and e-service) is therefore vital. Despite its importance, research into the effectiveness of B2C websites remains highly fragmented and user-centric, ignoring the views of web-designers. This study therefore aims to investigate what web-designers consider as attributes of "effective" B2C websites. The relationships amongst attributes are also explored. Twenty web-designers were interviewed using the Repertory Grid Technique in order to elicit factors that they consider important when designing or developing B2C websites. Using a data reduction approach, the elicited attributes were then classified into 14 meta-categories. These meta-categories were compared to prior research. We found that although several meta-categories have been extensively covered in the literature, little attention have been paid to some meta-categories including „Establishing Website Identity‟; „Categorization of Information‟; „Presentation of Information‟; „Advertisements, Pop-Ups and Animation‟; and "Headlines". The inductive approach also permitted the elicitation of the relationships among these meta-categories, giving us a richer understanding of how different website characteristics influence each other. Implications and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on Web site usability using the Microsoft Usability Guidelines (MUG) have (1) assumed the MUG categories and subcategories as a given and (2) focused on the relationships between these attributes and site usability, thereby largely ignoring their underlying meaning. Using the Repertory Grid Technique, the present research elicits the attributes that Web users consider important when using business-toconsumer (B2C) Web sites. The results support the MUG framework but identify three additional attributes that warrant being MUG subcategories: quality of Web site content, Web site appearance, and extent to which the site provides convenient services to facilitate on-line activities. An enhanced MUG is presented. The implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although effective project management is critical to the success of information technology (IT) projects, little empirical research has investigated skill requirements for IT project managers (PMs). This study addressed this gap by asking 19 practicing IT PMs to describe the skills that successful IT PMs exhibit. A semi-structured interview method known as the repertory grid (RepGrid) technique was used to elicit these skills. Nine skill categories emerged: client management, communication, general management, leadership, personal integrity, planning and control, problem solving, systems development and team development. Our study complements existing research by providing a richer understanding of several skills that were narrowly defined (client management, planning and control, and problem solving) and by introducing two new skill categories that had not been previously discussed (personal integrity and team development). Analysis of the individual RepGrids revealed four distinct ways in which study participants combined skill categories to form archetypes of effective IT PMs. We describe these four IT PM archetypes – General Manager, Problem Solver, Client Representative and Balanced Manager – and discuss how this knowledge can be useful for practitioners, researchers and educators. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examines the motivating factors associated with voluntary turnover decisions of information systems (IS) professionals within the context of two different cultures—Singapore and New Zealand. The narrative inquiry approach was employed to interview 35 IS professionals. Ninety-seven turnover episodes were identified, including 42 in Singapore and 55 in New Zealand. The findings indicate that there exist universal turnover factors which are culturally independent. However, there are also factors that are culturally sensitive, which should be considered by managers when dealing with an international workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stream of research exists that explores a country's information technology (IT) industry success. The theoretical model used in these studies is primarily focused on small developed countries. We contend that the factors that contribute to IT industry success in developing countries are likely to differ somewhat from those that play a role in small developed countries. Research to date on IT industry success has neglected developing countries. This study therefore presents an alternative IT industry success model for developing countries. It adapts Ein-dor, Myers, and Raman's (1997) model in developing such a conceptual model. The adapted framework is then applied in a study of IT industry in a developing country—Thailand. We found IT-related foreign direct investment to be vital to IT industry success in Thailand. Unlike findings from earlier studies on small developed countries, geographical location and to a lesser extent government investment promotion policies are also important to IT industry success in a developing country. These findings support the view that there are differences in the factors that affect IT industry success in developed and developing countries. Implications for research and practice are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer trust is widely heralded as an essential element for the success of electronic commerce, yet the concept itself is still clouded in confusion by the numerous definitions and points of view held across multiple disciplines. It is the aim of this paper to synthesise the viewpoints from across the disciplines and bring them together in a multi-dimensional trust model. It is hoped that in doing so, these broad assortment of views will highlight the true underlying nature of trust in the online environment. From these multiple disciplines, three dimensions of trust emerged: dispositional trust, institutional trust and interpersonal trust, each bringing its own influencing factors into the overall intention to trust. From this model emerged the notion that the consumer as an individual is central to the understanding of trust, and in turn that the individual's personality and culture form the foundation for the development of trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the models of national culture in information system research. Importance of understanding cultural differences; Challenges of the information system researchers to go beyond models of national culture; Proposal for information system researchers to adopt dynamic view of culture.

Examines a framework for research into global information management. Model for global information management research; Categories of global information management research; Application of the GIM research model; Integration of the research model with GIM research themes.

Explores the nature of the linkages between business strategy and information technology (IT) responsiveness in a variety of companies. Traditional view of the role of IT in organizations; Types of business strategy; Extent to which IT is explicitly considered in the formulation of the organization's business strategy.

Presents developments related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) education at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Effects of using a Spatial Analysis Facility; Significance of information technology; Ways to promote flexible learning support; Capabilities of GIS.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by John Lim on the impact of support systems on the different phases of negotiation and another by Dan J. Kim on how mobile number portability affects competition in the Korean mobile telecommunication market.

Editorial. Focuses on the development of publishing research into global information management (GIM) using information technology. Characterization of research in global information management; Significance of building cumulative tradition in GIM research; Directions of the researchers involved in GIM field.