The roles of user motivation to perform a
task and decision support system(DSS)
effectiveness and efficiency in DSS use
Presenter: Che-Yu Lin
Advisor: Min-Puu Chen
Date: 04/27/2009
Chan, S.H. (2009). The roles of user motivation to perform a task and decision support system(DSS)
effectiveness and efficiency in DSS use. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(1), 217–228.
1
Introduction(1/4)
• Although researchers have carefully considered relevant theories to
identify antecedents to system use, a strong theoretical foundation
for system use seems to be inadequate.
• Weak theoretical foundation of the system use construct may have
resulted in the mixed findings reported by prior research on the link
between system use and performance (DeLone & McLean, 2003).
• It is important to recognize that self-reported use is not a precise
measure of actual system use.
• Prior research findings indicate that flow experiences occur in the
course of using a system to do a task.
• While experience of flow is promoted when a user interface entails
less cognitive processing, an easy user interface that lacks challenge
can undermine the user’s interest in the task (Pilke, 2004).
2
Introduction(2/4)
• Previous studies suggest that intrinsic motivation is an important
variable that affects user acceptance of systems.
• The purposes of this study are to:
(1) obtain measures of actual DSS use that include the three
elements: a user, a system, a task
(2) identify an important psychological construct
- a user’s motivation to perform a task
- examine how it interacts with two DSS characteristics
(effectiveness and efficiency) to affect actual DSS use.
3
Introduction(3/4)
• Intrinsic motivation is critical for high quality performance (Utman,
1997).
• Intrinsic motivation can be considered as a function of the nature of
the task (Gill, 1996).
• The important elements of intrinsic motivation include experience
of, choice, and cognitive stimulation from a task (Gill, 1996).
• The significant role of intrinsic motivation on DSS use is evident
from findings reported by prior research.
• Cognitive stimulation from a task can arise from the interest that
users derive from engaging in a set of activities in a given task (Gill,
1996).
4
Introduction(4/4)
• Attention increases when users engage in an interesting (i.e.,
intrinsically motivating) activity.
• Individuals who engage in an interesting task may possess clear
intrinsic goals (Keller & Suzuki, 2004).
• Relevance arises from establishment of a link between using the
DSS to perform an interesting task and attaining the users’ goal of
improved performance.
• Confidence is promoted when individuals’ positive expectations of
success are established and they attribute their success to their
own abilities and effort rather than to chance or the difficulty level
of the activity.
• Satisfaction is pertinent for enhancing positive feelings about
individuals’ experiences with the activity.
5
Methods(1/2)
• Independent variables
(1) The effectiveness of the DSS was manipulated at two levels –
high and low.
(2) The efficiency of the DSS also had two levels – high and low.
• Dependent variables
(1) the total number of comparisons (STEP)
(2) the total amount of time (TIME) taken by the participants to
select a career (grocery store)
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Methods(2/2)
• 258 students at a university.
• The experiment was administered over a three-week period at a
business school computer lab at a university.
(1) The DSS prompted the participants to enter their identification
numbers.
(2) Next, they rated three different apartments based on a set of six
attributes (monthly rent, number of bedrooms, size, distance from
campus, cleanliness and distance to nearest public transport).
(3) Participants then went through a tutorial on using the DSS to do
the selection task.
(4) They could click on the ‘‘Help” button at any time during the
tutorial to review the directions for using the DSS.
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Results(1/2)
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Results(2/2)
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Discussion(1/2)
• Consistent with Burton-Jones and Straub (2006), the DSS in this
study incorporates the nature of the usage activity that involves the
three elements of DSS use: a user, a DSS, and using a DSS to
perform a task.
• The link between intention and actual usage behavior is
problematic.
• Intrinsic motivation is an important variable that influences user
acceptance of DSS.
• USE is an important construct because it provides additional insight
into the findings.
• The results showed that actual DSS use increased when perceived
ease of use and perceived usefulness of the DSS were high.
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Discussion(2/2)
• The DSS in this study provides enhanced automation that reduces
the effort that a user may otherwise have to expend to process
information manually.
• Researchers can investigate whether other task factors might
interact with characteristics of the DSS to affect actual DSS use.
• This study focuses on actual DSS use rather than performance,
future work can provide insight into whether effectiveness of the
DSS affects perceived or actual performance.
• Future research can examine the impact of cognitive effort on user
motivation to perform in a task, actual DSS use, and performance.
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