Systems Savvy: Practical Intelligence for Transformation of Sociotechnical Systems

2019 | Group Decision and Negotiation | Citations: 0

Authors: Griffith, Terri L.; Sawyer, John E.; Poole, M. Scott

Abstract: Systems savvy, a new construct derived from foundations of practical intelligenc ... Expand

Abstract: Systems savvy, a new construct derived from foundations of practical intelligence, is the capacity to see the interdependence of technological and social/organizational systems and to construct synergies between them. Understanding systems savvy is valuable for managing the changes that go along with rapidly evolving technical and social/organizational systems that are part of the group decision and negotiation landscape. We first define the construct of systems savvy and position it in recent research on practical intelligence and tacit knowledge. We differentiate it from several other individual characteristics often used in research and practice. We use a critical incident technique with 13 subject matter experts to create a situational judgment test measure of systems savvy that can be used for research or assessments to support training. Preliminary validation of the measure uses a sample of 39 successful professionals and 182 novices. Systems savvy represents a contribution to research streams focused on understanding technology with implications at the team and organizational levels of analysis. We conclude with a discussion of the limitations of the current research and offer possible next steps toward using the systems savvy construct for understanding and supporting the future of work, especially within teams. Collapse

Topics: implicit knowledge virtual teamwork IT supported collaboration systems design sensemaking

Methods: survey descriptive statistic qualitative interview Student's t-test focus group

Theories: sociotechnical systems theory socio technical theory theory of everything

Modern information technology in an old workforce: Toward a strategic research agenda

2014 | Journal of Strategic Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Tams, Stefan; Grover, Varun; Thatcher, Jason

Abstract: As the workforce ages rapidly in industrialized countries, a phenomenon known as ... Expand

Abstract: As the workforce ages rapidly in industrialized countries, a phenomenon known as the graying of the workforce, new challenges arise for firms as they have to juggle this dramatic demographical change (Trend 1) in conjunction with the proliferation of increasingly modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) (Trend 2). Although these two important workplace trends are pervasive, their interdependencies have remained largely unexplored. While Information Systems (IS) research has established the pertinence of age to IS phenomena from an empirical perspective, it has tended to model the concept merely as a control variable with limited understanding of its conceptual nature. In fact, even the few IS studies that used the concept of age as a substantive variable have mostly relied on stereotypical accounts alone to justify their age-related hypotheses. Further, most of these studies have examined the role of age in the same phenomenon (i.e., initial adoption of ICTs), implying a marked lack of diversity with respect to the phenomena under investigation. Overall, IS research has yielded only limited insight into the role of age in phenomena involving ICTs. In this essay, we argue for the importance of studying age-related impacts more carefully and across various IS phenomena, and we enable such research by providing a research agenda that IS scholars can use. In doing so, we hope that future research will further both our empirical and conceptual understanding of the managerial challenges arising from the interplay of a graying workforce and rapidly evolving ICTs. Collapse

Topics: technology adoption technostress information system use personality knowledge creation

Methods: literature sample design science design artifact neurophysiology

Theories: social cognitive theory theory of planned behavior

The Occupational Culture of IS/IT Personnel Within Organizations

2008 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Guzman, Indira R.; Stam, Kathryn R.; Stanton, Jeffrey M.

Abstract: As organizations' reliance on information technology (IT) continues to grow, the ... Expand

Abstract: As organizations' reliance on information technology (IT) continues to grow, the information technology personnel who support end users play an increasingly important role in the proper functioning of those organizations. In the present study, we interviewed information technology personnel (N=32) as well as other employees (N=89) to examine their intra-group and inter-group communications and assess the existence and importance of the occupational culture of IT personnel within organizations. We applied Trice's Occupational Subculture theoretical framework (1993) to examine the characteristics of the occupational culture of IT personnel and its relationships with other type of personnel within organizations. The results of our study suggest that IT personnel have established a distinct occupational culture within organizations, characterized, for example, by the use of technical jargon, primary value of technical knowledge, extreme and unusual demands on people in the profession related to the constant change of IT, feelings of superiority and a general lack of formal rules. Conflicts between IT occupational subcultures and other extant subcultures arise from cultural differences Collapse

Topics: IT workforce IT job organizational culture information system use Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Methods: qualitative interview qualitative coding literature study triangulation personal interview

Introducing IT into a mature production related work environment: the human resource factor

1994 | Journal of Information Technology | Citations: 1

Authors: Helliwell, Jonathan; Fowler, Alan

Abstract: The paper addresses the human resource issues associated with the implementation ... Expand

Abstract: The paper addresses the human resource issues associated with the implementation of IT into the Production facilities of a company operating in the process industry. The primary focus of the research is a field study based on a questionnaire issued to the process workers who would be most affected by the changes. Management was initially concerned that resistance to change could pose a significant problem. In this respect there was particular concern that the age and background profile of the workforce could exacerbate any underlying tendency to change resistance. This paper evaluates the background to these concerns and illustrates how this particular organization dealt with them. The questionnaire results indicated a very low level of initial familiarity with any form of computer based technology. Nonetheless the results indicated a very positive response to the IT implementation proposals with virtually no evidence of attitudinal rigidity. In this sense, the results broadly support many of the observations revealed in the literature. Collapse

Topics: systems implementation computer system technological change IS effectiveness human resource management

Methods: survey field study literature study