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The formation of technology mental models: the case of voluntary use of technology in organizational setting

Authors:

Henrik C. LinderothAuthors Info & Claims

Information Systems Frontiers, Volume 17, Issue 1

Pages 95 - 108

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-014-9513-6

Published: 01 February 2015 Publication History

Abstract

The use of information systems in organisations presents one of the early signs of success. Hundreds of studies have generated a wealth of knowledge on systems use across a broad range of technologies and theoretical approaches. However, new types of technologies and organisations continue to pose challenges to systems use. The case of open systems that are offered to users on a voluntary basis presents one of those challenges for two reasons: 1) the systems are open in the sense that they could be configured in many ways depending on users finding use cases and possible applications; 2) the system use is voluntary and hence there is no organisational push. They bring users' choice and active finding of use cases to the centre of their success. This study questions why and how users choose to engage (or not to engage) with open technology on a voluntary basis and how and why its use options and potential unfold? It examines a longitudinal case study (1994---2012) on the voluntary use of telemedicine. The findings reveal that users' perception of open technology in a voluntary setting is formed through a continuous interplay between users' technology mental models, professional identity, institutional traditions and arrangements and work practices. If perceived to be in contradiction with professional identity, institutional traditions and arrangements or work practices, users' technology mental models are fixated on the misfit and the misfit is thereby reinforced. Hence, users do not try to find use cases or think of possible applications. However, institutional entrepreneurs could break this self-fulfilling prophecy by influencing both the technology mental models of users and the institutional arrangements.

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Gkinko LElbanna A(2023)The appropriation of conversational AI in the workplaceInternational Journal of Information Management: The Journal for Information Professionals10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.10256869:COnline publication date: 1-Apr-2023
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Minkkinen MZimmer MMäntymäki M(2022)Co-Shaping an Ecosystem for Responsible AI: Five Types of Expectation Work in Response to a Technological FrameInformation Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-022-10269-225:1(103-121)Online publication date: 20-Apr-2022
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Zamani EPouloudi NGiaglis GWareham J(2022)Appropriating Information Technology Artefacts through Trial and Error: The Case of the TabletInformation Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-020-10067-824:1(97-119)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2022
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cover image Information Systems Frontiers

Information Systems Frontiers Volume 17, Issue 1

February 2015

227 pages

ISSN:1387-3326

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Copyright © Copyright © 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

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Kluwer Academic Publishers

United States

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Published: 01 February 2015

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Cited By

Gkinko LElbanna A(2023)The appropriation of conversational AI in the workplaceInternational Journal of Information Management: The Journal for Information Professionals10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.10256869:COnline publication date: 1-Apr-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102568
Minkkinen MZimmer MMäntymäki M(2022)Co-Shaping an Ecosystem for Responsible AI: Five Types of Expectation Work in Response to a Technological FrameInformation Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-022-10269-225:1(103-121)Online publication date: 20-Apr-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10796-022-10269-2
Zamani EPouloudi NGiaglis GWareham J(2022)Appropriating Information Technology Artefacts through Trial and Error: The Case of the TabletInformation Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-020-10067-824:1(97-119)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10796-020-10067-8
Zamani EPouloudi NGiaglis GWareham J(2021)Accommodating Practices During Episodes of Disillusionment with Mobile ITInformation Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-019-09972-423:2(453-475)Online publication date: 1-Apr-2021
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Elbanna ADwivedi YBunker DWastell D(2020)The Search for Smartness in Working, Living and Organising: Beyond the ‘Technomagic’Information Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-020-10013-822:2(275-280)Online publication date: 1-Apr-2020
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Chandwani RDe' R(2017)Doctor-patient interaction in telemedicineInformation Systems Frontiers10.1007/s10796-016-9643-019:4(955-968)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2017
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