Papers by Joseph Valacich
Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 2003
Conventional thought in idea generation suggests that there is no such thing as a bad idea. This ... more Conventional thought in idea generation suggests that there is no such thing as a bad idea. This paper challenges this assumption, arguing that task-irrelevant comments (electronic junk) can significantly influence the performance of computer-mediated idea generation groups. While the results of a controlled laboratory experiment using a group simulator show that electronic junk can create a downward spiral, leading to the creation of even more task-irrelevant comments, the results also support the hypothesis of an inverted-u-shaped relationship between the amount of junk comments and ideation performance, suggesting that moderate amounts of junk comments can aid performance, whereas large amounts of junk comments can be detrimental to performance. Further, the results show that members of groups producing no junk comments perceive their individual performances to be lower than members of groups with moderate or high amounts of junk comments. The implications of these results on the...
International Journal of Information Management - INT J INFORM MANAGE, 2008
ACM SIGMIS …, 1996
IS organizations. However, there is no lessening in demand for IS knowledge and ability in organi... more IS organizations. However, there is no lessening in demand for IS knowledge and ability in organizations; to the contrary, the demand is expanding as the functional areas of the organization gain more capability in IS. Many areas of the organization are now hiring IS majors for departmental computing activities. There is also strong demand for the IS minor by students in other disciplines who need IS expertise in order to be effective in their work and to assist in developing applications in their functional area. A third reason that the demand for IS courses will continue to increase is that students in related disciplines want to acquire basic and intermediate IS skills. Every discipline is experiencing growth in computer use, and students who enrich their IS knowledge are at a career advantage. The editors of IS'97 thank those who have helped in this project. We hope this will be the beginning of a cooperative effort for continuous curriculum development. We are interested in your input and encourage you to let us know how you are using these materials and how they might be improved.
AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction
Emergency response systems are a relatively new and important area of research in the information... more Emergency response systems are a relatively new and important area of research in the information systems community. While there is a growing body of literature in this research stream, human-computer interaction (HCI) issues concerning the design of emergency response system interfaces have received limited attention. Emergency responders often work in time pressured situations and depend on fast access to key information. One of the problems studied in HCI research is the design of interfaces to improve user information selection and processing performance. Based on cue-summation theory and research findings on parallel processing, associative processing, and hemispheric differences in information processing, this study proposes that information selection of target information in an emergency response dispatch application can be improved by using supplementary cues. Color-coding and sorting are proposed as relevant cues that can improve processing performance by providing prioritization heuristics. An experimental emergency response dispatch application is developed, and user performance is tested under conditions of varying complexity and time pressure. The results suggest that supplementary cues significantly improve performance, with better results often obtained when both cues are used. Additionally, the use of these cues becomes more beneficial as time pressure and task complexity increase.
AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction
Digital games are ideal for training complex decision making skills because they allow players to... more Digital games are ideal for training complex decision making skills because they allow players to experience decision making processes and consequences. However, training complex skills often results in failure, which may undermine learning engagement. Traditional training methods employing observational learning (e.g., training videos) do not cause learners to fail but forfeit experiential learning that makes training games so engaging. Our exploratory work addresses the trade-off between experiencing and observing failure and explores their effect on the level of training engagement. Building on past engagement research, we argue that learning engagement contains both cognitive and affective facets and that these facets may diverge, especially when individuals experience failure. To test these ideas, we conducted an experiment (N = 156) comparing engagement in game-based training, in which participants experienced failure, and video-based training, in which participants observed failure. We collected cognitive and affective indicators of engagement using physiological and self-report measures. We found game-based experiential learning increased such indicators of engagement as attention and temporal disassociation even though players widely failed to meet game objectives. Players also experienced elevated arousal and decreased positive affect. In addition, we compared physiological measures of engagement with self-reported measures and discuss their merits and limitations.
AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction
There have been repeated calls for studies in behavioral science and human-computer interaction (... more There have been repeated calls for studies in behavioral science and human-computer interaction (HCI) research to measure participants' actual behaviors. HCI research studies often use multiple constructs as perceived measures of behavior, which are captured using participants' self-reports on surveys. Response biases, however, are a widespread threat to the validity of self-report measures. To mitigate this threat to validity, we propose that studies in HCI measure actual behaviors in appropriate contexts rather than solely perceptions. We report an example of using movements that reflect both actual behavior and behavioral changes measured within a health care IS usage context, specifically the detection and alleviation of neuromuscular degenerative disease. We propose and test a method of monitoring mousecursor movements to detect hand tremors in real time when individuals are using websites. Our work suggests that analyzing hand movements as an actual (rather than perceptual) measure of usage could enrich other areas of IS research (e.g., technology acceptance, efficacy, fear, etc.), in which perceptions of states and behavior are measured post hoc to the interaction and subject to the threats of various forms of response bias.
Journal of Information Technology Education: Research
In today's knowledge economy, technology is utilized more than ever to deliver instructional mate... more In today's knowledge economy, technology is utilized more than ever to deliver instructional material to the learner. Nonetheless, information may not always be presented in a manner that maximizes the learning experience, resulting in a negative impact on learning outcomes. Drawing on the Task-Technology Fit model, a research framework was developed to investigate the influence of vividness, interactivity, task complexity, and learning style on performance, satisfaction, interest, and perceived mental effort in the context of learning how to use an office productivity tool via a computer-mediated learning environment. It was hypothesized that vividness and interactivity would increase satisfaction and interest and that the affects of vividness and interactivity on performance and perceived mental effort would vary depending on the complexity of the task. It was also hypothesized that vividness and learning style would interact to influence performance and perceived mental effort when a task was more complex. A laboratory experiment was employed to test the research model. The experiment manipulated two levels of vividness, interactivity, and task complexity, resulting in six unique treatment conditions. In each of these treatment conditions, subjects viewed a computerbased tutorial on how to complete a task using a specific tool in Microsoft Excel. Subjects were then asked to complete a similar task using this same Excel tool. Overall, strong support was found in support of the hypotheses. Findings indicate that presenting information in a more vivid or more interactive learning environment will significantly increase satisfaction with the learning environment as well as interest in the topic. Furthermore, strong support was found for utilizing a more vivid or more interactive presentation to increase performance and reduce perceived mental effort when a task is more complex. Mixed support was found regarding the influence of vividness and learning style on performance and perceived mental effort for a more complex task. This research contributes to our theoretical understanding of instructional design and the influence of technology characteristics on learning outcomes. These findings also serve to guide those who design and disseminate information in computer-mediated contexts. More-Material published as part of this publication, either on-line or in print, is copyrighted by the Informing Science Institute. P ermission to make digital or paper copy of part or all of these works for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that the copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage AND that copies 1) bear this notice in full and 2) give the full citation on the first page. It is permissible to abstract these works so long as credit is given. To copy in all other cases or to republish or to post on a server or to redistribute to lists requires specific permission and payment of a fee. Contact [email protected] to request redistribution permission. Effects of Technology Attributes On Learning over, multimedia production is both expensive and time consuming and, as this study indicates, may not always enhance learning outcomes.
AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction
The emergence of eCommerce has provided organizations with an unprecedented opportunity to take a... more The emergence of eCommerce has provided organizations with an unprecedented opportunity to take advantage of business-toconsumer (B2C) interactions. Generally speaking, relationships move through various stages, when a customer chooses to establish a relationship with a person or an organization. Likewise, when a customer forms an ongoing relationship with an online organization, it progresses through similar stages. Yet, the IT-mediated nature of B2C eCommerce interactions causes the manifestation of these stages to be different from offline B2C interactions. As such, this paper proposes a theoretical framework for examining stages of online B2C relationships, based on Stage Theory. The proposed eCommerce B2C Relationship Stage Theory (eB2C-RST) highlights three stages of eCommerce B2C relationships from the customer's perspective: Attraction, Build-Up, and Continuance. This theoretical framework provides a foundation for both research and practice in the areas of interface design and online B2C customer relationship management.
AIS Transactions on Replication Research
Replication is one of the main principles of the scientific method. The social sciences, and in p... more Replication is one of the main principles of the scientific method. The social sciences, and in particular the information systems discipline, has lagged behind the physical sciences which have more established traditions of independently replicating studies from other labs. In this essay, we outline the need for replication in the information systems discipline, identifying three possible approaches for executing such studies. There are numerous benefits to the discipline from embracing and valuing replication research. Replication will either improve confidence in our research findings or identify important boundary conditions. Replications also enhance various scientific processes and offer methodical and educational improvements. Collectively, these benefits will help the information systems discipline mature and prosper.
Behaviour & Information Technology
Use of online social networks is nearly ubiquitous. Use of these services generally entails subst... more Use of online social networks is nearly ubiquitous. Use of these services generally entails substantial personal disclosure and elicits significant privacy concerns. This research uses Social Exchange Theory and the impression management literature to examine how privacy concerns can be counterbalanced by the perceived social benefits afforded by a social network's ability to support impression management. We frame social network use as an attempt to engage in impression management, and we highlight the importance of a social network's impression management capabilities in predicting social benefits from, and use of, a social network. We test our model with a sample of 244 Facebook users, finding strong support for the proposed relationships. Our theory has important implications for researchers and practitioners interested in privacy issues within social networks.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
This paper summarizes the key elements of a panel presentation at the Americas Conference for Inf... more This paper summarizes the key elements of a panel presentation at the Americas Conference for Information Systems (AMCIS) 2007 that reviewed the current status of the joint Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)/Association for Information Systems (AIS) undergraduate information systems model curriculum revision project. After providing a brief historical overview of IS model curricula and describing the reasons why a revision is overdue, the paper focuses on three main aspects of the current revision proposal. These include: 1) extending the reach and applicability of the curriculum model beyond business schools and making it a genuinely global model; 2) separating core topics from career track electives and including career tracks in the model; and 3) revising the curriculum development model to be significantly more inclusive using modern Web-based technologies.
MIS Quarterly
An electronic commerce marketing channel is fully mediated by information technology, stripping a... more An electronic commerce marketing channel is fully mediated by information technology, stripping away much of a product's physical informational cues, and creating information asymmetries (i.e., limited information). These asymmetries may impede consumers' ability to effectively assess certain types of products, thus creating challenges for online sellers. Signaling theory provides a framework for understanding how extrinsic cuessignals-can be used by sellers to convey product quality information to consumers, reducing uncertainty and facilitating a purchase or exchange. This research proposes a model to investigate website quality as a potential signal of product quality and consider the moderating effects of product information asymmetries and signal credibility. Three experiments are reported that examine the efficacy of signaling theory as a basis for predicting online consumer behavior with an experience good. The results indicate that website quality influences consumers' perceptions of product quality, which subsequently affects online purchase intentions. Additionally, website quality was found to have a greater influence on perceived product quality when consumers had higher information asymmetries. Likewise, signal credibility was found to strengthen the relationship between website quality and product quality perceptions for a high quality website. Implications for future research and website design are examined.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
IS 2010 is the latest in a series of model curricula for undergraduate degrees in Information Sys... more IS 2010 is the latest in a series of model curricula for undergraduate degrees in Information Systems. It builds on the foundation formed by this earlier work, but it is a major revision of the curriculum and incorporates several significant new characteristics. IS 2010 is the third collaborative effort by ACM and AIS. Both organizations have worldwide membership, and, therefore, IS 2010 includes elements that make it more universally adaptable than its predecessors. IS 2010 is not directly linked to a degree structure in any specific environment but it provides guidance regarding the core content of the curriculum that should be present everywhere and suggestions regarding possible electives and career tracks based on those.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
The MSIS 2000 curriculum is now over 5 years old. That curriculum (the first revision for the MS ... more The MSIS 2000 curriculum is now over 5 years old. That curriculum (the first revision for the MS program since 1982) was widely adopted by IS departments throughout the world. A committee established jointly by AIS and ACM started working in summer 2003 on revising and updating the MS curriculum based on the experience of the adopting schools. The work is nearing completion. This paper describes the state of the revisions as of April 2005.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
This paper introduces a comprehensive information system for supporting maritime traffic and comm... more This paper introduces a comprehensive information system for supporting maritime traffic and commerce and explores the information systems related research opportunities associated with this system. The paper begins by reviewing the existing dominant technologies deployed in the maritime environment: VHF Radio, Radar and GPS. Next, the paper describes a comprehensive system called the Automated Identification Systems (AIS) that is being proposed by the maritime industry, military, government, and The International Maritime Organization. A deployment scenario highlights how such a system could have unintended consequences if not carefully designed and deployed. The paper concludes by briefly examining several information systems related research opportunities surrounding the design and deployment of the AIS. Given that little research is leading the design and deployment of the AIS, and given the critical role the worldwide maritime industry plays in commerce, this paper provides a foundation for others to begin the examination of this important area.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
Master's level programs in Information Systems provide exciting opportunities for schools and dep... more Master's level programs in Information Systems provide exciting opportunities for schools and departments that are willing to actively engage with their corporate partners and other key stakeholders to develop products that simultaneously address the needs of students, employers, and other stakeholders and build on the core strengths of the IS discipline. This article reports on the results of a panel discussion on master's level education in IS that took place at AMCIS 2010. The panelists included experienced program directors, curriculum experts, and academic administrators from both North America and Europe. Their contributions brought together descriptions of successful program models, in-depth understanding of how the context for master's programs in IS is changing, and ideas regarding the future direction for master's education in IS.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
This copyrighted material may not be reproduced, transmitted, translated, nor stored, in whole or... more This copyrighted material may not be reproduced, transmitted, translated, nor stored, in whole or in part, by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, digital scan, or multimedia recording, for any purpose, including storage and retrieval, without the express written permission of the authors, or their assigns as specified below, except as provided herein for published review or comment. Assignment of all rights for publication in any form, printed or electronic, is granted fully and equally to the sponsoring organizations including the Association for Computing Machinery and the Association for Information Systems.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
The field of information systems (IS) faces a credibility crisis, which threatens its stature as ... more The field of information systems (IS) faces a credibility crisis, which threatens its stature as a highly-respected academic discipline (Firth, King, Koch, Looney, Pavlou, and Trauth, 2011; Winter and Butler, 2011; among others). This article summarizes a panel discussion at the ICIS 2011 Conference, where a group of distinguished IS professors offered their unique perspectives on the challenges, origins, and solutions related to the global credibility crisis in IS. Using stakeholder theory as an organizing framework, the panel session identifies the key stakeholders influencing the credibility of the IS discipline, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing IS programs worldwide.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems
This paper outlines and further specifies the key points articulated in an IS Model Curriculum pa... more This paper outlines and further specifies the key points articulated in an IS Model Curriculum panel presentation at the Americas Conference for Information Systems (AMCIS) 2008. This presentation centered on the major changes to the IS Model Curriculum that is currently being proposed by the joint Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Association for Information Systems (AIS) task force. The goal of this task force is to provide the first major revision of the IS model curriculum since IS '97. The major modifications to the IS Model Curriculum involve: 1) reaching beyond the business school to include programs housed in other parts of the university (e.g., health informatics); 2) revising the outcome expectations for the IS graduates and proposing subsequent changes to the curriculum topics; 3) revising the curriculum structure by separating the curriculum core from the elective topics; and 4) involving and making relevant the model curriculum to the global IS community. Also, this paper summarizes the key components to the restructuring of the IS Model Curriculum: high-level organizational needs for IS capabilities and graduate knowledge and skills. Finally, future steps in the curriculum revision process are discussed.
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Papers by Joseph Valacich