A Model Of Information Technology Impacts: An Invariance Analysis By Executive Position

Abstract

The invariance, by executive position in the organization, of an information technology impacts model is examined.  The theoretical model links computer training, end-user previous computer experience, information (provided by the system) quality, ease of system use, customer knowledge in the firm’s industry, and the tasks performed using the system to individual and firm performance impacts through system use and satisfaction.  The empirical examination uses data from a national mail survey.  The respondents are business executives at four different organizational levels (i.e., owners, senior executives, marketing executives, and middle/operational executives).  The quantitative technique used is invariance analysis based on structural equation modeling.  The results indicate that the interrelationships among the theoretical constructs in the model are generally invariant across these different organizational positions.  The one difference identified is the path from information quality to system use.  Examining each executive group individually shows that this path is significant for marketing executives, but no other executive group.  Thus, the identified difference appears to be produced by the importance of information quality on marketing executives’ use of computer systems.  Managerial implications, conclusions, and suggestions for future research are discussed based upon these results.