Selected antecedent factors influencing human-computer interaction

Around the country, computer systems have become pervasive in our society; however, research has documented that the effects of computer technology on employees has not always been positive. One might describe a typical user interacting with an information system as a love-hate relationship. Usually the users deny the system’s existence, unless they sense a greater chance of resolution of an anomaly or problem through interaction. If the user experiences success, then they will usually continue to use the system until there is a lack of patience or time, or a failure occurs. This literature provides a clear understanding of human-computer interaction (HCI) and a model for continuously improving computer technology. It is based on a study by Rozell (1992). In the Rozell study, several variables were identified as having potential impact on performance. Although the research revealed a number of variables affecting performance, antecedent conditions such as computer self-efficacy and computer expertise were identified in the model as the most influential. The purpose of the current study was to measure the subject’s antecedent conditions in relation to the acceptance of Oak Ridge Environmental Information System. The subject’s antecedent conditions include: 1) computer self-efficacy, 2) gender, 3) computer expertise, and 4) educational level. The measures used as criteria for acceptance of the new technology include: 1) rating of system quality, and 2) ease of use. The subjects were chosen from a population which consists of users who have requested system access and have also completed initial prerequisite training requirements. A stratified random sample of 86 was chosen with proportional allocation, obtaining strata sample sizes of 52 males and 34 females.