Stimulating the use of computer-aided software engineering in information system departments: An empirical test of elements of innovation theory.

摘要

The present research explores the degree of penetration of Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) in Information System Departments (ISDs). A three-stage model is proposed for the CASE adoption process.;A consolidated model of technological innovation is proposed by bringing together different organizational factors, which researchers in the past have found to influence innovation-adoption. CASE is used as a convenient instance of an innovation to validate the model.;Two dependent variables are used to measure the extent of CASE penetration in ISDs--the degree of CASE sophistication possessed (depth of penetration) and the degree of CASE usage (breadth of penetration).;Interviews were conducted with 13 local businesses to perform a preliminary assessment of the proposed relationships. The interviews were followed with a pilot test of the measurement instrument. This phase was followed by a national mailing to 2,700 ISDs. 405 responses were received back representing a 15% response rate.;Company CASE training availability, advocacy of CASE, size of the ISD, communication with external information sources, performance gap of the ISD and degree of functional differentiation were found to be significantly related to the depth of CASE penetration.;Company CASE training availability, advocacy of CASE, size of the ISD, knowledge of structured methodologies, top management support for the Information Systems function and degree of job/role rotation were found to be significantly related to breadth of CASE penetration.;A two-way classification revealed that most ISDs were in the exploratory phase of CASE technology. The classification also provides good support for the three-stage CASE adoption process. The use of depth and breadth provided a better classification of the extent of penetration of the innovation as compared to traditional classification approaches.;The study contributes to theory by developing a consolidated model of technological innovation. The model considers the relationship between all organizational type variables and the extent of innovation. A significant move is thus made toward a unified theory of innovation.;The study also provides useful guidelines for managers interested in exploring new technologies for their organizational units and specifically for IS managers interested in stimulating the use of CASE in their ISDs.