User involvement in system design: An empirical test of alternative approaches

'User involvement' i n t h e developnent of information systems i s o f t e n assumed t o be key t o succes s fu l implementation. However, f e w empi r i ca l s t u d i e s have c l e a r l y demonstrated a r e l a t i o n s h i p between u s e r involvement and t w o key i n d i c a t o r s of system success : system usage and u s e r in format ion s a t i s f a c t i o n . The a u t h o r s test t h e genera l hypothes i s t h a t u s e r involvement is a more complex concept t h a n prev ious r e sea rch would i n d i c a t e ; t h e r e a r e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of involvement and d i f f e r e n t s t a g e s i n t h e system development l i f e c y c l e i n which u s e r s may become involved. I n a s tudy o f 83 u s e r s and 23 i i f o r m a t i o n systems managers i n 2 2 companies, t hey found t h a t o n l y t h e a c t i v i t y o f u se r s i gn -o f f s on p r o j e c t phases had a s i g n i f i c a n t c o r r e l a t i o n wi th b a t h u s e r in format ion s a t i s f a c t i o n and s a t i s f a c t i o n wi th t h e in format ion systems group. The au tho r s conclude t h a t t h e r e i s a canplex r e l a t i o n s h i p between t h e t ype and degree of u s e r involvement and o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n a l and i n d i v i d u a l f a c t o r s ; t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p a f f e c t s bo th u s e r s a t i s f a c t i o n with and usage o f t h e r e s u l t i n g systems. Some sugges t ions f o r f u r t h e r r e sea rch t a k i n g t h i s complexi ty i n t o account a r e given. Center for Digital Economy Research Stem School of Business IVorking Paper IS-81-29