IT infrastructure services as a requirement for e-learning system success

Evaluation of e-learning systems success is an essential process in managing and developing these types of systems. There are still arguments about the factors can be used to evaluate the success of e-learning systems. Inadequate attention has been paid to investigate the role of IT infrastructure services as a foundation to create the success of e-learning systems. The focus of this study is the role of IT infrastructure services in terms of the success of e-learning systems. A model is proposed which includes five constructs: IT infrastructure services; perceived usefulness; user satisfaction; customer value; and organizational value. A quantitative study was conducted at an Australian University, with survey responses from 110 Academic staff members and 720 students who use the e-learning system. The empirical study confirmed that an IT infrastructure services is a valid and reliable construct to measure e-learning systems success. In addition, this study provides evidence of the critical role of IT infrastructure services in the success of e-learning systems via its significant effect on perceived usefulness, user satisfaction, customer value, and organizational value.     

Assessing information quality of e-learning systems: a web mining approach

E-learning systems provide a promising solution as an information exchanging channel. Improved technologies could mean faster and easier access to information but do not necessarily ensure the quality of this information; for this reason it is essential to develop valid and reliable methods of quality measurement and carry out careful information quality evaluations. This paper proposes an assessment model for information quality in e-learning systems based on the quality framework we proposed previously: the proposed framework consists of 14 quality dimensions grouped in three quality factors: intrinsic, contextual representation and accessibility. We use the relative importance as a parameter in a linear equation for the measurement scheme. Formerly, we implemented a goal-question-metrics approach to develop a set of quality metrics for the identified quality attributes within the proposed framework. In this paper, the proposed metrics were computed to produce a numerical rating indicating the overall information quality published in a particular e-learning system. The data collection and evaluation processes were automated using a web data extraction technique and results on a case study are discussed. This assessment model could be useful to e-learning systems designers, providers and users as it provides a comprehensive indication of the quality of information in such systems.     

Learners’ acceptance of e-learning in South Korea: Theories and results

One of the most significant changes in the field of education in this information age is the paradigm shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered education. Along with this paradigm shift, understanding of students’ e-learning adoption behavior among various countries is urgently needed. South Korea’s dense student population and high educational standards made investment in e-learning very cost-effective. However, despite the fact that South Korea is one of the fastest growing countries in e-learning, not much of the research results have been known to the globalized world. By investigating critical factors on e-learning adoption in South Korea, our study attempts to fill a gap in the individual country-level e-learning research.Based on the extensive literature review on flow theory, service quality, and the Technology Acceptance Model, our study proposes a research model which consists of four independent variables (instructor characteristics, teaching materials, design of learning contents, and playfulness), two belief variables (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), and one dependent variable (intention to use e-learning). Results of regression analyses are presented. Managerial implications of the findings and future research directions are also discussed.     

Quality and effectiveness in Web-based customer support systems

The quality of a Web-based customer support system involves the information it supplies, the service it provides, and characteristics of the system itself; its effectiveness is reflected by the satisfaction of its users. This paper presents the results of a study of quality and effectiveness in Web-based customer support systems. Data from a survey of 726 Internet users were used to test theoretically expected relationships. The results of this study indicate that information and system quality determine effectiveness while service quality has no impact. Practical implications for managers and designers are offered.     

Determinants of success for online communities: an empirical study

Although online communities can significantly facilitate collaboration among Internet users, the determinants of success of online communities have seldom been studied empirically. Using the updated DeLone and McLean information systems success model as a theoretical framework, this study proposes a research model to examine the determinants for successful use of online communities. Based on a survey of 165 community members, this study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to investigate the research model. The analytical results strongly support the appropriateness of the research model in identifying the determinants of success of online communities. The analytical results also showed that system quality, information quality and service quality had a significant effect on member loyalty through user satisfaction and behavioural intention to use the online community. Finally, this study discusses the implications of these findings and offer directions for future research.     

Determinants of success for online communities: an empirical study

Although online communities can significantly facilitate collaboration among Internet users, the determinants of success of online communities have seldom been studied empirically. Using the updated DeLone and McLean information systems success model as a theoretical framework, this study proposes a research model to examine the determinants for successful use of online communities. Based on a survey of 165 community members, this study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to investigate the research model. The analytical results strongly support the appropriateness of the research model in identifying the determinants of success of online communities. The analytical results also showed that system quality, information quality and service quality had a significant effect on member loyalty through user satisfaction and behavioural intention to use the online community. Finally, this study discusses the implications of these findings and offer directions for future research.     

WebCT – The quasimoderating effect of perceived affective quality on an extending Technology Acceptance Model

Perceived affective quality is an attractive area of research in Information System. Specifically, understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic individual factors and interaction effects that influence Information and Communications Technology (ICT) acceptance and adoption – in higher education – continues to be a focal interest in learning research. In this regard, one type of affective reactions toward ICT (in our study, the WebCT), perceived affective quality, is an essential dimension in user technology acceptance.     

The relationships among service quality,perceived value,customer satisfaction,and post-purchase intention in mobile value-added services

The purposes of this study are to construct an instrument to evaluate service quality of mobile value-added services and have a further discussion of the relationships among service quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and post-purchase intention. Structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected from college and graduate students of 15 major universities in Taiwan. The main findings are as follows: (1) service quality positively influences both perceived value and customer satisfaction; (2) perceived value positively influences on both customer satisfaction and post-purchase intention; (3) customer satisfaction positively influences post-purchase intention; (4) service quality has an indirect positive influence on post-purchase intention through customer satisfaction or perceived value; (5) among the dimensions of service quality, “customer service and system reliability” is most influential on perceived value and customer satisfaction, and the influence of “content quality” ranks second; (6) the proposed model is proven with the effectiveness in explaining the relationships among service quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and post-purchase intention in mobile added-value services.     

eWOM source credibility,perceived risk and food product customer's information adoption

This study examined the relations between source credibility of eWOM (electronic word of mouth), perceived risk and food products customer's information adoption mediated by argument quality and information usefulness. eWOM has been commonly used to refer the customers during decision-making process for food commodities. Based on this study, we used Elaboration Likelihood Model of information adoption presented by Sussman and Siegal (2003) to check the willingness to buy. Non-probability purposive samples of 300 active participants were taken through questionnaire from several regions of the Republic of China and analyzed the data through structural equation modeling (SEM) accordingly. We discussed that whether eWOM source credibility and perceived risk would impact the degree of information adoption through argument quality and information usefulness. It reveals that eWOM has positively influenced on perceived risk by source credibility to the extent of information adoption and, for this, customers use eWOM for the reduction of the potential hazards when decision making. Companies can make their marketing strategies according to their target towards loyal clients' needs through online food- product forums review sites.     

Perceived usefulness,user involvement and behavioral intention: an empirical study of ERP implementation

Many firms have implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in the past few years. The expensive nature of these systems requires that effective usage of these systems be attained in order for an organization to derive the expected benefits from the technology. This study looks at the influence that perceived usefulness, user involvement, argument for change, prior usage and ease of use have on the behavioral intention to use an ERP system. A mail survey was used to collect data in an organization that was implementing an ERP system. A total of 571 responses were obtained. The results indicate that users perception of the perceived usefulness, ease of use of the technology, and the users’ level of intrinsic involvement all affect their intention to use the technology. The results seem to suggest that managerial efforts aimed at increasing the users’ perceptions of the usefulness and personal relevance of the technology will contribute to implementation success, where success is defined as effectual usage of the technology. The paper ends with possible extensions to this study.     

Modeling the continuance usage intention of online learning environments

This study focused on the continuance usage intention toward online learning environments and also proposed and empirically tested an integrated model to better understand the determinants of students’ continuance intention to use these environments. For this purpose, variables which may have an effect on the continuance usage intention were examined and an “online continuance usage intention model” was revealed. When the variables of the hypothetical model were determined, Technology Continuance Theory, Information Systems Success Model, Cognitive Model and Information Systems Expectation Confirmation Model have been practiced on. Empirical data from 467 public university students who had used an online learning environment for the first time were tested against the proposed research model by using path analysis. The results indicated that, confirmation of the usage of online learning environments could be explained by information quality, system quality and service quality variables. 63% of the variance of the satisfaction variable was explained by information quality, system quality, service quality, confirmation, utilitarian value, outcome expectations and perceived value. Research results confirmed the propounded constructs of Information Systems Success Model and Information Systems Expectation Confirmation Model. In line with the obtained findings and results, some of the various suggestions were provided for the next studies and implementations.     

Perceived usefulness of podcasting in organizational learning: The role of information characteristics

Podcasting has been used widely to support individuals' learning activities. However, most of the research focuses its use in formal educational contexts. Little attention has been paid to the use of podcasting in organizational settings to support employees' learning activities. To address this gap, this research investigates employees' perceived usefulness (PU) of podcasting to facilitate their learning activities within organizational settings. Using a global company as the case study, the data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed using qualitative techniques. The study finds that the characteristics of the information delivered by the podcasts (i.e., information overload, information privacy, and information relevance) play an important role in shaping employees' PU to adopt podcasting for learning. Excitement toward the technology and tenure are also found to have an impact. In fact, contrary to prior findings, which showed the importance of emotions occurring during the use of technologies, towards their ultimate adoption, this study finds that emotions (excitement in our case) in anticipation of podcasting implementation plays a significant role in individual's PU towards adoption. Further, we develop a set of propositions to discuss the relationships between these factors and the PU of podcasting in organizational settings. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.     

Perceived usefulness and performance of human-to-human communications on television

A key assumption of future television (TV) environments is that the future TV viewing experiences will be more active and interactive. Currently several TV technologies based on networked computing, e.g., IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) or Mobile TV, have made it possible for people to interact with their TVs, or even with other viewers through their TVs, by allowing them to access additional functions, for example actively participating in a quiz show, instantly sharing other viewers’ opinions and sending or receiving emails while they are watching a TV programme.To ensure uptake of these new TV technologies, it is essential to match the performance of the novel systems to both current TV viewing experiences and future user needs, since the characteristics of the additional tasks that TV viewers will perform will lead to other substantially different TV viewing experiences. This paper reports on the usefulness and performance evaluation of a novel TV-based human-to-human interaction environment, where audiences of a specific TV channel can exchange public and private text messages. It combines the two popular analogies (Internet chat and SMS) and embeds them into the viewers’ TV experience.Our results showed that this TV hosted human-to-human communication environment could integrate well with the current TV viewing experience. This might lead to applications such as TV-based personal messengers and/or live bulletin board community for fans of a specific TV show. They also revealed several issues that need to be addressed in the development of new TV technologies.     

Using SERVQUAL to assess the quality of e-learning experience

Distance learning programs have been dramatically expanding in accordance with demand. Assessment of the quality of e-learning has become a strategic issue, one that is critical to program survival. In this study we propose a modified SERVQUAL instrument for assessing e-learning quality. The instrument consists of five dimensions: Assurance, Empathy, Responsiveness, Reliability, and Website Content. Data analysis from 203 e-learning students shows that four out of these five dimensions (except Reliability) play a significant role in perceived e-learning quality, which in turn affects learners’ satisfaction and future intentions to enroll in online courses. Managerial implications of the major findings are provided.     

Antecedents of continued use and extended use of enterprise systems

This study examines the antecedents of continued use and extended use of Enterprise Systems (ES). Data were collected from 345 business executives through a self-administered questionnaire survey and are analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results indicate that perceived usefulness, computer self-efficacy, and facilitating conditions are positively related to continued use and extended use of ES. However, neither continued use nor extended use is influenced by subjective norm. Additionally, users’ continued use is significantly related to extended use, and it partially mediates the relationships between extended use and its antecedents. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature on ES usage behaviour in the post-adoption phase and in the mandatory organisational context. For practice, these findings should give managers a better understanding of the antecedents of ES usage behaviours, which would, in turn, help organisations to develop strategies that encourage their employees to maximise the use of ES in performing their tasks.     

Success model for knowledge management systems used by doctoral researchers

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model to anticipate the success in the use of a Knowledge Management System (KMS) by doctoral researchers. Doctoral researchers who are preparing their doctoral dissertation are requested to prepare a tool to manage the knowledge they are collecting. The tool is based on data base techniques, and the researchers will use this tool to collect data about the knowledge they use. Doctoral researchers will perceive satisfaction in the use of this tool, depending on internal aspects that they could previously perceive, such as ease of use, usefulness, or quality. Also, there could be external aspects such as rewards, trust and social norms that could affect the perceived satisfaction. As a conclusion, the correct identification of internal and external aspects can improve the success in the use of a KMS.     

Learning management systems and cloud file hosting services: A study on students’ acceptance

The aim of this paper is to investigate the motivations that lead higher education students to replace several Learning Management Systems (LMS) services with cloud file hosting services for information sharing and collaboration among them. The research approach is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). More specifically, the model is devoted to identifying barriers and enablers to the acceptance of these technologies. A questionnaire comprising three factors (Attitude toward using technology, Perceived ease of use and Perceived usefulness) was applied to a sample consisting of 121 higher education students. Results show that the perceived ease of use of cloud file hosting services is above that of LMS tools and services and that cloud file hosting services presented higher levels of perceived usefulness than standard learning management tools. In addition, attitude toward using cloud file hosting services is well above that of using LMS tools.     

The role of perceived organizational support,distributive justice and motivation in reactions to new information technology

Despite tremendous investments in information technology (IT), many technological interventions in organizations fail because employees do not fully accept and use IT. The present study explored how perceived organizational support and distributive justice affect employee reactions to new IT from a motivational point of view. Self-determination theory was used to understand how different motivational styles, varying in degree of self-determination, mediate the relationship of perceived organizational support and distributive justice with reactions to new IT. Results showed that perceived organizational support and distributive justice were associated with intrinsic and identified motivation to use the IT, but only POS was related to enjoyment and acceptance of the IT. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were both associated with IT usage, but IT usage was associated with enjoyment and acceptance only when people were intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation also mediated the effects of POS on enjoyment and acceptance. Moreover, intrinsically motivated users were less likely to use a paper-based appointment booking alternative than those who were not. Implications for managing IT implementations are discussed.     

市政管理信息化规划的探讨

市政管理部门是城市基础设施、公用事业行业的管理部门,主要业务以市政基础设施的建设、养护与公用事业行业监管为主.市政管理部门的信息化建设由于涉及多个管理专业领域,外部环境与内部环境复杂,因此存在很大的难度.本文从规划的角度,提出市政管理信息化建设的思路,以及主要的建设内容.     

Developing a maturity model for service systems in heavy equipment manufacturing enterprises

Heavy equipment manufacturing firms are increasingly challenged by the integration of service planning and execution in their established product-centred information systems (IS) environment. Despite a few standardisation efforts, there is no common understanding of service systems in industry goods companies and the corresponding requirements for the appropriation of information systems. We address this need by developing a maturity model. The design of the model is grounded in extant literature, focus group and case study research involving eleven organisations over 1.5 years. The evaluation confirms that the maturity model makes a novel and useful contribution to the design of service systems.