Content area
Abstract
In today's highly dynamic and competitive business environment, executives need more effective ways to analyze their markets and competition and guide their operation and people for organizational survival and success. Since an executive information system (EIS) can facilitate access to and use of the information executives require about an organization's internal and external environments, it is expected that EIS use will become increasingly popular among executives in the future.
The primary purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of the important factors influencing the successful utilization of EIS. To achieve this objective, the study developed and tested a model of the relationships between a variety of variables and executives' use of EIS. By employing a widely accepted theory of computer usage behavior, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study proposed that eight variables (age, education, computer experience, computer self-efficacy, cognitive style, vendor support, top management support, and information center support) are antecedents of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, and have indirect effects on EIS usage through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.
A cross-sectional field survey was conducted. With ninety-seven valid responses, the research hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. The results showed that computer experience affected users' perception of ease of use toward an EIS, whereas computer self-efficacy and top management support affected users' perception of usefulness toward an EIS All the identified external variables were found to affect EIS usage indirectly, through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.
From a theoretical standpoint, the study contributes to a better understanding of factors influencing successful EIS utilization, and it provides empirical support for TAM. From a practical standpoint, the study may help information systems (IS) managers and professionals plan their courses of action more effectively by identifying the key factors of EIS utilization, and increase users' acceptance and utilization of the system.
