HYPOTHESES 49

Based on the reviews of IS success models in prior literature, the present research proposes the research model and hypotheses in this section. Ten hypotheses are proposed for this research as shown in Figures 3.1.

3.2.2.1EFFECT OF INFORMATION QUALITY ON SYSTEM USE AND USER

SATISFACTION

DeLone and McLean (1992) argued that the information quality and system quality singularly and jointly affect both use and user Satisfaction. Unlike other IS, such as operating systems that do not have outputs to users, EIS produce formal system outputs such as reports, documents, etc. To incorporate this EIS characteristic of the

research, Information Quality must be measured and its relationship with system use (OSS EIS Use in this study) and User Satisfaction.

Rai et al. (2002) performed confirmatory factor analyses on DeLone and McLean’s model (2003) and Seddon’s model (1997). They found information quality has significant effects on both system use and user satisfaction in Seddon’s model. Information quality has significant effects on system use in DeLone and McLean’s model. Since these relationship may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context, following hypotheses are made:

H1. Information Quality has a direct positive effect on OSS Use.

H2. Information Quality has a direct positive effect on User Satisfaction.

3.2.2.2EFFECT OF SYSTEM QUALITY ON SYSTEM USE AND USER SATISFACTION

Sabherwal et al. (2006) suggested that system quality has significant effects on user satisfaction. DeLone and McLean (2003) hypothesized that the system quality (OSS EIS Quality in this research) is positively related to IS use. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and related empirical studies show that perceived ease of use and usefulness, the two key aspects of system quality, have significant effects on attitude toward using IS (Davis, 1989). Seddon and Kiew (1994) found the relationship between system quality and user satisfaction to be statistically significant.

Later, Rai et al. (2002) confirmed the significant effects of ease of use, which is equivalent to system quality, on user satisfaction by exploiting Seddon’s (1997) model.

They also confirmed that ease of use has significant effects on user satisfaction in DeLone and McLean’s (2003) model. Since these relationships may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context, following hypotheses are made:

H3. OSS EIS Quality has a direct positive effect on OSS EIS Use.

H4. OSS EIS Quality has a direct positive effect on User Satisfaction.

3.2.2.3EFFECT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON SYSTEM USE AND USER SATISFACTION

Pitt et al. (1995) suggested that service quality (Community Service Quality in this study) influence IS use (OSS EIS Use in this study). DeLone and McLean (2003) also suggested that service quality is positively related to IS use. In many prior studies, service quality is regarded as an antecedent to satisfaction (Bitner et al., 1990; Lee and Yoo, 2000). Since these relationships may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context, following hypotheses are made:

H5. Community Service Quality has a direct positive effect on OSS EIS Use.

H6. Community Service Quality has a direct positive effect on User

Satisfaction.

3.2.2.4EFFECT OF USER SATISFACTION ON SYSTEM USE

The relationship between user satisfaction and system use are widely supported by prior studies (D’Ambra and Rice, 2001; Gelderman, 1998; Grover et al., 1998). An empirical study by Bolton and Lemon (1999) found that those users who are satisfied

with an IS continue to use the IS. Since the relationship may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context, following hypothesis is made:

H7. User Satisfaction has a direct positive effect on OSS EIS Use.

3.2.2.5EFFECT OF SYSTEM USE ON INDIVIDUAL NET BENEFIT

A number of previous studies support the positive relationship between system use and individual net benefit (Sabherwal et al., 2006; D’Ambra, 2001; Doll and Torkzadeh, 1998; Guimaraes and Igbaria, 1997; Grover et al., 1996; Hitt and Brynjolfsson, 1994; Clemons et al., 1993; Bailey and Pearson, 1983;). Srinivasan (1985) also found that the indicators of system use are significantly related to the problem solving capabilities of the user. Since this relationship may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context, following hypothesis is made:

H8. OSS EIS Use has a direct positive effect on Individual Net Benefit.

3.2.2.6EFFECT OF USER SATISFACTION ON INDIVIDUAL NET BENEFIT

Lee et al. (2009) argued that the relationship between user satisfaction and individual net benefits can be explained by the affect-as-information model. According to the affect-as-information model, people rely on their actual feelings (satisfaction or emotional response) to form overall judgments (net benefits). This is because feelings are influential not just in determining valuable judgmental information, but also are regarded as representatives of the target. Gatian (1994) also supported this relationship, which can be applicable for the OSS EIS context.

Rai et al’s (2002) confirmatory factor analyses on DeLone and McLean’s (2003) and Seddon’s (1997) IS success model revealed that user satisfaction has significant effects on perceived usefulness, which can be translated to individual impact. Since the relationship may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context, following hypothesis is made:

H9. User Satisfaction has a direct positive effect on Individual Net Benefits.

DeLone and McLean (2003) argued in their updated model that no system use is totally voluntary. At some level of organization, executives or managers required employees to use a certain type of information systems. Hence, the continued adoption and use of the system itself may not be voluntary. In the context of EIS of the present study, use of system has to be assumed as mandatory.

The study is interested in investigating the path where the effect of user satisfaction on individual net benefit is mediated by OSS EIS use. Direct effect, indirect effect, and total effect are calculated and compared.

3.2.2.7EFFECT OF INDIVIDUAL NET BENEFIT ON ORGANIZATIONAL NET

BENEFIT

DeLone and McLean (2003) argued that net benefits are measured in terms of job and decision-making performance. As the impact of IS evolves beyond the immediate user, prior studies suggested additional IS impact measures. The choice of where the impacts should be measured depends on the system or systems being evaluated and their purposes (DeLone and McLean, 2003). DeLone and McLean simplified their original IS success model by removing the organizational net benefits.

The present research separates organizational net benefits from individual net benefits to incorporating the characteristic of EIS that are utilized at the organizational level. The relationship between individual net benefit and organizational net benefit is supported by prior studies of Chan (2000) and Etezadi-Amoli and Farhoomand (1996), and it may also be applicable within the OSS EIS context. Hence, the study hypothesizes:

H10. Individual Net Benefit has a direct positive effect on Organizational Net

INFORMATION QUALITY OSS EIS QUALITY COMMUNITY SERVICE QUALITY

OSS EIS USE

USER SATISFACTION INDIVISUAL NET BENEFITS ORGANIZATIONAL NET BENEFITS H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 H9 H10  

Figure 3.1 Research Model with Hypotheses

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