The contents of the latest issue of:
Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC)
Official Publication of the Information Resources Management Association
Volume 23, Issue 3, July-September 2011
Published: Quarterly in Print and Electronically
ISSN: 1546-2234 EISSN: 1546-5012
Published by IGI Publishing, Hershey-New York, USA
www.igi-global.com/joeuc
	
Editor-in-Chief: M. Adam Mahmood, University of Texas at El Paso, USA

EDITORIAL NOTE

An extended version of the abstracts for the following JOEUC issue is provided below for your information and perusal.  If you would like to submit a manuscript to the journal for publication consideration, please consult the manuscript submission guidelines provided at http://www.igi-pub.com/. After reviewing the guidelines, please send an electronic version of your manuscript to us.

PAPER ONE

Understanding User Dissatisfaction: Exploring the Role of Fairness in IT-Enabled Change

Tim Klaus (Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, USA)

This paper examines the role of fairness and how it shapes a user's view in IT-enabled change. Drawing from several fairness theories, components of fairness are identified and examined in two studies. The first study examines the role of fairness through user interviews and finds that all five components of fairness are considered by users in enterprise system implementations. The second study operationalizes and analyzes the components of fairness through a questionnaire distributed to users. This second study finds that fairness is comprised of all five components that were proposed and a significant relationship exists with user dissatisfaction. The two studies lead to a new theoretical perspective and provide practical implications regarding the role of fairness in IT-enabled change and their strategic implications.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below.
http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/article.aspx?titleid=55072 

PAPER TWO

Antecedents of Improvisation in IT-Enabled Engineering Work

William J. Doll (The University of Toledo, USA), and Xiaodong Deng (Oakland University, USA)

The success of engineering work depends on the ability of individuals to improvise in response to emerging challenges and opportunities (Kappel & Rubenstein, 1999). Building on experiential learning theory (Eisenhardt & Tabrizi 1995; Kolb, 1984) and improvisation theory (Miner, Bassoff, & Moorman, 2001), this authors argue that information systems facilitate the generation of new product and process design ideas by providing richer feedback, creating shorter learning cycles, and enabling engineers to try a variety of new ideas more easily. An empirical research model of the antecedents of improvisation in IT-enabled engineering work is proposed. This model is examined using a sample of 208 individuals engaged in computer-intensive engineering design work. The multiple regression results suggest that software capability, autonomy, problem solving/decision support usage, system use for work planning, and length of use explain the extent of new product and process id
eas that ar!
 e generated. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below.
http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/article.aspx?titleid=55073

PAPER THREE

Exploring the Dimensions and Effects of Computer Software Similarities in Computer Skills Transfer

Yuan Li (Columbia College, USA), and Kuo-Chung Chang (Yuan Ze University, Taiwan)

Computer software similarities play important roles in users' skills transfer from one application to another. Despite common software attributes recognized in extant literature, a systematic understanding of the components and structure of software similarities has not been fully developed. To address the issue, a Delphi study was conducted to explore the underlying dimensions of software similarities. Inputs gathered from 20 experienced Information Systems instructors show that Computer Software Similarity is a multi-dimensional construct made up of interface similarity, function similarity, and syntax similarity. Each dimension consists of software attributes that users perceive to be transferable in learning new applications. A field study was carried out to test the impact of the construct. Results from a survey on students' learning two software applications confirm the expectation that Computer Software Similarity facilitates the students' skills transfer between the !

 applications. These studies provide a basis to better design training programs for improved training performance.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below.
http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/article.aspx?titleid=55074 

PAPER FOUR

Preparing IS Students for Real-World Interaction with End Users Through Service Learning: A Proposed Organizational Model

Laura L. Hall (University of Texas at El Paso, USA), and Roy D. Johnson (University of Pretoria, South Africa)

Although teaching the technical skills required of Information Systems (IS) graduates is a straightforward process, it is far more difficult to prepare students in the classroom environment for the challenges they will face interacting with end users in the real world. The ability to establish a successful relationship with end users is a critical success factor for any IS project. One way to prepare students for interaction with end users is through the implementation of service learning projects. Service learning projects provide a rich environment for students to experience real world interactions with users. This paper presents an organizational model to guide the implementation of service learning projects in IS curriculums. Service learning projects better prepare students to assume important management positions by giving them experience in applying the system development life cycle to an IS project and working with people. This organizational model uses the system de!

 velopment life cycle approach to integrate typical curriculum and service learning models. The organizational model is grounded in anecdotal evidence from prior experiences with IS students in service learning environments.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below.
http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/article.aspx?titleid=55075 

PAPER FIVE

The Role of Computer Attitudes in Enhancing Computer Competence in Training

James P. Downey (University of Central Arkansas, USA), and Lloyd A. Smith (Missouri State University, USA)

Computer competence is poorly conceptualized and inconsistently measured. This study clarifies computer competence and examines its relationship with anxiety, affect, and pessimism, along with self-efficacy and previous experience. Using a survey of 610 end users, the strengths of anxiety, affect (positive), pessimism, self-efficacy, and previous experience were compared for nine different competency measures in seven different domains, including word processing, email applications, spreadsheets, graphic programs, databases, web design, and overall computing. Results suggest that for most domains, affect and anxiety are significant predictors, as are self-efficacy and previous experience, but pessimism is not. In addition, competence in a domain was found to mediate the relationship between competence and its antecedents. These results suggest that organizations focus not only on skills training, but on ways to enhance computing attitudes during the training process.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below.
http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/article.aspx?titleid=55076 

Sincerely,

M. Adam Mahmood




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