Why different people prefer different systems for different tasks: An activity perspective on technology adoption in a dynamic user environment

• Published in: Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 48 - 63
• Main Author: Sun, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.01.2012; Wiley; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Human-computer interaction; Influence of Technology; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Information systems; Library and information science. General aspects; Mediation; Preferences; Sciences and techniques of general use; Studies; Systems development; Technology adoption; Technology utilization; Use and user studies. Information needs; User behaviour; User groups; Information system; Correlation analysis; User study
• ISSN: 1532-2882; 2330-1635; 1532-2890; 2330-1643
• DOI: 10.1002/asi.21670

In a contemporary user environment, there are often multiple information systems available for a certain type of task. Based on the premises of Activity Theory, this study examines how user characteristics, system experiences, and task situations influence an individual's preferences among different systems in terms of user readiness to interact with each. It hypothesizes that system experiences directly shape specific user readiness at the within‐subject level, user characteristics and task situations make differences in general user readiness at the between‐subject level, and task situations also affect specific user readiness through the mediation of system experiences. An empirical study was conducted, and the results supported the hypothesized relationships. The findings provide insights on how to enhance technology adoption by tailoring system development and management to various task contexts and different user groups.