A cross-cultural comparison of personal computer utilization by managers: United States vs. Republic of South Africa

ABSTRACT

This paper reports on research in progress which compares personal computer (PC) utilization by 105 managers in the United States with a similar set of 85 managers in the Republic of South Africa. The analysis completed to date has indicated, among other things, that 1) average weekly computer use time was higher in South Africa, 2) PCs in the United States were more accessible, and 3) users in the United States were generally more satisfied with their systems. Future analysis will focus on resolving which of the observed differences were attributable to cultural rather than sampling differences.

REFERENCES

• 1: Chervany, N. L., G. W. Dickson, and K. A. Kozar, "An Experimental Gaming Framework for Investigating the Influence of Management Information Systems on Decision Effectiveness," MISCR-WP-71-12, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, April, 1972.
• 2: du Toit, W. J. D., "A Survey on the Application of Personal Computers at Executive Level in the South African Manufacturing Industry with Specific R~ference to its Role Regarding Management Support Systems," unpublished masters thesis, University of South Africa, December 5, 1991.
• 3: Ein-Dor, P. & Segev, E., "End User Computing: A Cross Cultural Study," International Information Systems, (January 1992), pp. 124-137.
• 4: GaUetta, D. F. and Lederer, A. L., "Some Cautions on the Measurement of User Information Satisfaction," Decision Sciences, 1989, vol. 20, pp. 419-438.
• 5: Hofstede, G., Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values, (Volume 5, Cross- Cultural Research and Methodology Series), Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA, 1980.
• 6: Ives, B., S. Hamilton, and G. B. Davis, "A Framework for Research in Computer-Based Management Information Systems," .ManagementScience, Vol. 26, No. 9, September, 1980, 910-934.
• 7: Lucas, H. C., Jr., "Performance and the Use of an Information System," Management Science, Vol. 21, No. 8, April, 1975, 908-919.
• 8: Mawhinney, C. H., Factors Affecting the Utilization of Personal Computers by Managers and Executives. Ann Arbor, MI: University Microfilms, 1986.
• 9: Mawhinney, C. H., "Managerial Workstyle and Personal Computer Use," Northeast DSi 1988 Proceedings, Newport, RI, March 23-25, 1988, pp. 284-286.
• 10: Mawhinney, C. H., "A Study of Computer Use by Knowledge Workers: User Satisfaction versus System Use," 1990 Proceedings of the Decision Sciences Institute, San Diego, CA, November 1990, pp. 954-956.
• 11: Charles H. Mawhinney , Albert L. Lederer, Managerial personality type and end-user computing, Proceedings of the twenty-second annual computer personnel research conference on Computer personnel research conference, p.117-128, October 1986, Calgary, Canada [doi>10.1145/317210.317229]
• 12: Charles H. Mawhinney , Albert L. Lederer, A study of personal computer utilization by managers, Information and Management, v.18 n.5, p.243-253, May 1990 [doi>10.1016/0378-7206(90)90026-E]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.2 Installation Management
          Subjects: Computer selection

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.5 COMPUTER SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
      C.5.3 Microcomputers
          Subjects: Personal computers

  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management