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Research Article

A Study on the Relative Importance of Success Factors in End-User Computing

Kim, Sangsu

Published: January 1997 · Vol. 26, No. 3 · pp. 687-722
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Abstract

As end-user computing has become widespread due to rapid changes in the business environment and remarkable advances in information technology, corporate information systems managers are seeking ways to effectively manage end-user computing. However, establishing effective management strategies for end-user computing is extremely difficult due to the rapid pace of information technology change and the diversity of end-user computing. Therefore, this study identified the factors that affect the success of end-user computing and analyzed the relative importance among these factors. By identifying the success factors of end-user computing, it is believed that an end-user computing environment capable of enhancing productivity can be established. In this study, the success factors of end-user computing were classified into end-user personal characteristics, end-user task characteristics, organizational management characteristics, and environmental characteristics. A sample of 752 end-users was drawn from 23 firms, and the results of the empirical analysis are as follows. 1) Among end-user personal characteristics, variables such as demographic characteristics, cognitive style, attitudes toward computers, and computer literacy were found to be major success factors of end-user computing. 2) End-user task characteristics were found to be important success factors of end-user computing, and were analyzed as the most important factor in determining computer usage. 3) Among organizational management characteristics, variables such as awareness of the importance of end-user computing, implementation strategy characteristics, support activities, and support systems were found to be important factors affecting end-users' computer usage and satisfaction. 4) Among organizational environmental characteristics, industry type, firm size, and the capability of the IT department were found to affect end-users' computer usage and satisfaction. 5) In terms of the relative importance among success factors, end-user task characteristics and personal characteristics had a greater influence on computer usage than organizational management characteristics and business environmental characteristics. For end-user satisfaction, organizational management characteristics and end-user personal characteristics were analyzed as more important factors compared to other factors.