On the Effectiveness of Smart Metering Technology Adoption: Evidence from the National Rollout in the United Kingdom

2023 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 3

Authors: Sim, Jaeung; Lee, Junyeong; Cho, Daegon

Abstract: In response to the burgeoning threats of climate change to humanity, numerous go ... Expand

Abstract: In response to the burgeoning threats of climate change to humanity, numerous governments, such as those of the United States and most European countries, have launched rollout programs for the distribution of smart metering technology (SMT). Despite this notable recent investment, questions of whether and why SMT adoption facilitates the reduction of households’ energy demands remain relatively unexplored. Building on cognitive dissonance theory, we propose a research model for SMT adoption, residential energy-saving behaviors, and moderating factors. We then empirically test the model using a rich household dataset from the United Kingdom between 2012 and 2016. Our results show that SMT adoption is positively associated with energy-saving behaviors, while energysaving motivations substantially moderate this association—a lower level of concern about saving energy / a higher level of concern about climate change amplifies this effect. Importantly, we find that SMT usage positively moderates this relationship, but this marginal gain decreases in technology usage intensity. Our findings contribute to the information systems literature by showing a consequence of new technology adoption along with the role of cognitive dissonance in promoting intended objectives and identifying potential moderating effects. We discuss actionable insights for policymakers and utility firms. Collapse

Topics: climate change technology adoption information system use green IS web page

Methods: survey propensity score method data transformation exploratory factor analysis propensity score matching

Theories: cognitive dissonance theory

Space Norms for Constructing Quality Reviews on Online Consumer Review Sites

2022 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Hou, Jinghui (Jove); Ma, Xiao

Abstract: High-quality online consumer reviews are valuable to e-commerce stakeholders. Ex ... Expand

Abstract: High-quality online consumer reviews are valuable to e-commerce stakeholders. Extant research mainly focuses on what drives consumers to submit reviews, whereas little has been done to specifically theorize why review writers construct high-quality reviews versus post poor review content. To advance current theorizing on the behavior of writing quality reviews, we propose the concept of space norms, a distinct instantiation of social norms inferred from locally observing how others write reviews on the local digital space (i.e., the review site). Specifically, we theorize that the focal behavior is largely directed by space norms; space norms beget a sense of how one should do and induce conformity in the given social space. We tested the theory of space norms in a series of empirical studies, and the findings provide converging evidence. Study 1 used experimental methods and demonstrates—with large effect sizes—that review writers tend to act in accordance with the space norm of the local site. Post hoc text analyses rule out an alternative explanation and corroborate the findings. Study 2 used field data collected from two e-commerce websites to further triangulate the space norms proposition. Another post hoc study confirms the robustness of the results. This paper contributes to information systems research by developing and empirically validating a theory of space norms that pinpoints the role of local digital spaces in constructing the focal normative phenomenon. It also lends insights to digital platforms and the information technology practitioners. Managers looking to elicit quality reviewing behavior should devise the local digital space to nurture the space norms for the desired behavior. Collapse

Topics: social presence online review social norm website electronic commerce

Methods: theory development natural language processing computational algorithm statistical hypothesis test design artifact

Does Technology Thwart Gender Stereotypes? An Impression Formation-Based Examination of the Differential Influence of Technology across Gender and Messages

2022 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Luse, Andy; Townsend, Anthony; Mennecke, Brian

Abstract: This research examines the relationship between gender, message sentiment, and ... Expand

Abstract: This research examines the relationship between gender, message sentiment, and technology use on the way that observers form impressions of others. Building on impression formation and gender stereotype research and theory, we develop a two-study research methodology for examining how impressions of technology users are formed. The results of our two studies indicate that technology use is an important component in impression formation, significantly inhibiting the effects of gender stereotyping, such that women and men are not evaluated differently based on their apparent competency in using technology nor on the content of their messaging. Our findings indicate that the use of technology subverts both the male and female stereotypes that observers normally engage. Collapse

Topics: information system use smart device mobile system IT skill mobile phone

Methods: data transformation exploratory factor analysis survey confirmatory factor analysis survey design

Voice Assistant vs. Chatbot – Examining the Fit Between Conversational Agents’ Interaction Modalities and Information Search Tasks

2022 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Rzepka, Christine; Berger, Benedikt; Hess, Thomas

Abstract: Owing to technological advancements in artificial intelligence, voice assistants ... Expand

Abstract: Owing to technological advancements in artificial intelligence, voice assistants (VAs) offer speech as a new interaction modality. Compared to text-based interaction, speech is natural and intuitive, which is why companies use VAs in customer service. However, we do not yet know for which kinds of tasks speech is beneficial. Drawing on task-technology fit theory, we present a research model to examine the applicability of VAs to different tasks. To test this model, we conducted a laboratory experiment with 116 participants who had to complete an information search task with a VA or a chatbot. The results show that speech exhibits higher perceived efficiency, lower cognitive effort, higher enjoyment, and higher service satisfaction than text-based interaction. We also find that these effects depend on the task’s goal-directedness. These findings extend task-technology fit theory to customers’ choice of interaction modalities and inform practitioners about the use of VAs for information search tasks. Collapse

Topics: information storage and retrieval system task characteristic Google+ human computer interaction smart speaker

Methods: experiment laboratory experiment survey factor analysis data transformation

Theories: cognitive fit theory theory of task technology fit cognitive load theory

Making Digital Innovation Happen: A Chief Information Officer Issue Selling Perspective

2021 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 34

Authors: Chen, Daniel Qi; Zhang, Yanlin; Xiao, Jinghua; Xie, Kang

Abstract: Despite the large amount of touted benefits of digital innovation to contemporar ... Expand

Abstract: Despite the large amount of touted benefits of digital innovation to contemporary firms, scholarly attention to how digital innovation may take place within an organization is surprisingly limited. Drawing upon issue selling theory, this study examines how chief information officers (CIOs) could lead their organizations’ digital innovation initiatives. We propose that the CIO’s issue selling effectiveness, rather than his or her structural position, directly influences the level of organizational digital innovation success. Furthermore, the CIO’s structural power should not be overlooked because it could amplify (i.e., positively moderate) the impact of CIO issue selling to digital innovation outcomes. In addition, we identify four enabling forces of CIO issue selling effectiveness: (1) CIO strategic decision-making authority, (2) CIO/top management team partnership, (3) CIO information technologies (IT)–related strategic knowledge, and (4) CIO political savvy. Matched-pair survey data collected from senior business and IT executives of 179 organizations largely support the research hypotheses. The findings of the study suggest that issue selling perspective offers a powerful theoretical lens to examine CIO strategic impacts in the digital era. Collapse

Topics: Chief Information Officer innovation management digital innovation IT leadership decision making

Methods: survey instrumental variables estimation statistical hypothesis test causality analysis linear regression analysis

The Effectiveness of Abstract Versus Concrete Fear Appeals in Information Security

2020 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 45

Authors: Schuetz, Sebastian W.; Lowry, Paul Benjamin; Pienta, Daniel A.; Thatcher, Jason Bennett

Abstract: Information security (ISec) is a pervasive concern of individuals, organizations ... Expand

Abstract: Information security (ISec) is a pervasive concern of individuals, organizations, and governments. To encourage individuals to engage in and learn about secure behaviors, ISec research has turned to fear appeals, which are short messages that communicate threats and efficacy to elicit protection motivation among recipients. ISec research has reported contradictory findings on what makes fear appeals effective in ISec contexts, and this lack of clarity is problematic, because it may lead to incorrect conclusions. For example, some studies have argued that the mixed findings arise from differences between personal and organizational contexts and that fear appeals do not work well among organizational users. However, this argument has not been empirically tested, and differences in message design provide an equally plausible explanation, which has also not been tested. To reconcile the mixed findings across these studies, we test the effects of context (i.e., personal users vs. organizational users) and degree of message abstractness (i.e., abstract vs. concrete) on fear-appeal outcomes. We draw from construal-level theory to conceptualize the differences between abstract and concrete fear appeals. Across three experiments, we find evidence that concrete fear appeals are more effective than abstract fear appeals for the purpose of stimulating fear-appeal outcomes. Furthermore, by comparing two identical experiments—one conducted with personal users and another conducted with organizational users—we find differences in participants’ responses to fear appeals. However, contrary to our expectations, our findings suggest that organizational users report higher levels of fear and protection motivation than personal users. This finding is not a theoretical contradiction: the theoretical crux of an effective fear appeal is that it must be personally relevant to stimulate fear; correspondingly, we show that concrete fear appeals help stimulate fear and the desired protective response. Moreover, concrete fear appeals increase actual compliance behaviors, not just intentions. Thus, our findings suggest that the mixed findings in the literature may be a product of message abstractness and differences among audiences. This has pivotal implications for how to construct fear appeals in research and practice. Collapse

Topics: phishing self efficacy organizational context internet technology information system use

Methods: survey experiment multivariate analysis of covariance psychometrics chi squared test

Theories: construal level theory

Using Design-Science Based Gamification to Improve Organizational Security Training and Compliance

2020 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Silic, Mario; Lowry, Paul Benjamin

Abstract: We conducted a design-science research project to improve an organization's comp ... Expand

Abstract: We conducted a design-science research project to improve an organization's compound problems of (1) unsuccessful employee phishing prevention and (2) poorly received internal security training. To do so, we created a gamified security training system focusing on two factors: (1) enhancing intrinsic motivation through gamification and (2) improving security learning and efficacy. Our key theoretical contribution is proposing a recontextualized kernel theory from the hedonic-motivation system adoption model that can be used to assess employee security constructs along with their intrinsic motivations and coping for learning and compliance. A six-month field study with 420 participants shows that fulfilling users' motivations and coping needs through gamified security training can result in statistically significant positive behavioral changes. We also provide a novel empirical demonstration of the conceptual importance of "appropriate challenge" in this context. We vet our work using the principles of proof-of-concept and proof-of-value, and we conclude with a research agenda that leads toward final proof-in-use. Collapse

Topics: IT security training gamification electronic mail phishing intrinsic motivation

Methods: kernel theory design artifact design principle experimental group multivariate analysis of variance

Theories: hedonic motivation system adoption model motivation theory information systems theory

On the Role of Social Comparison Processes in Gamified Work Situations

2019 | HICSS | Citations: 10

Authors: Huschens, Martin; Rothlauf, Franz; Rothe, Ricarda

Abstract: Gamification, which can be defined as the use of game-design elements in the workp ... Expand

Abstract: Gamification, which can be defined as the use of game-design elements in the workplace, is a relatively new approach to foster work motivation. However, especially gamification elements based on rankings and leader boards create transparency among users, which allows for interpersonal social comparison. This paper gives a possible explanation why and how gamification based on a ranking influences motivation and perceived pressure by taking social comparison processes into account. To this end, we conducted a factorial survey (N = 156) to examine the effects of introducing a game-design element (public leader board) in the workplace. We found that the provision of a ranking increases motivation, perceived pressure and social comparison behavior. Importantly, we found that the motivational and pressuring effects can be largely explained by the extent of individual’s social comparison behavior. Collapse

Topics: gamification Tencent QQ intrinsic motivation intranet value creation

Methods: experimental group survey regression analysis method field study mediation analysis

Theories: social comparison theory motivation theory

Beautiful is Good and Good is Reputable: Multiple-Attribute Charity Website Evaluation and Initial Perceptions of Reputation Under the Halo Effect

2019 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kwak, Dong-Heon; Ramamurthy, K. (Ram); Nazareth, Derek

Abstract: The halo effect has been extensively used to understand how people make judgment ... Expand

Abstract: The halo effect has been extensively used to understand how people make judgments about the quality of an object. Also, the halo effect has been known to occur when people evaluate multiattribute objects. Although websites consist of multiple attributes and dimensions, prior research in information systems has paid little attention to how people evaluate multi-attribute websites and associated halos. Furthermore, research investigating how initial evaluations of reputation are formed toward unknown objects under the halo effect is scarce. Based on these two research gaps, the purposes of this study are to identify whether there is evidence of salient halos in the evaluation of multi-attribute websites and to theorize initial perceptions of reputation. To accomplish these objectives, we introduce a framework for classifying halos based on attributes and dimensions. Also, this study employs charity websites as a multi-attribute donation channel consisting of three attributes of information content quality (mission information, financial information, and donation information) and four attributes of system quality (navigability, download speed, visual aesthetics, and security). Based on the proposed framework, this study proposes four types of halos that are relevant to charity website evaluation—collective halo (attribute-to-attribute), aesthetics halo (attribute-to-dimension), reciprocal-quality halo (dimension-to-dimension), and quality halo (dimension-to-dimension). The results of structural equation modeling and other analyses provide evidence of the various proposed halos. Collapse

Topics: website system quality data quality service quality website design

Methods: experiment theory development survey factorial experiment descriptive statistic

Mobile Time-Based Targeting: Matching Product-Value Appeal to Time of Day

2019 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Phang, Chee Wei; Luo, Xueming; Fang, Zheng

Abstract: Mobile technologies, with their seamless integration into people's everyday life ... Expand

Abstract: Mobile technologies, with their seamless integration into people's everyday life, are said to enable "perpetual contact" with the users always accompanied by their mobile devices. This creates unprecedented opportunity to better understand the relationship between time and information technologies (ITs), in particular, how time of day may influence users' IT behavior. With this understanding, companies may also be able to promote IT products by highlighting their value that appeals to users in a particular time segment of a day. Building primarily on the ego depletion theory and through conducting a combination of field experiment and survey, we show that matching IT product value appeal to people's psychological state during different times of day can lead to more optimal outcome (higher adoption). The findings advance our understanding of how IT behavior, as a behavior embedded in time, is affected by time of day, and provide actionable guidance to practitioners in performing mobile time-based targeting. Collapse

Topics: internet technology mobile system marketing management information system use advertising management

Methods: field experiment survey experiment randomized field experiment statistical hypothesis test

Theories: ego depletion theory