An empirical study of organizational culture and network-based computer use

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of organizational culture on computer-mediated communication and information access (CMCIA). A validated instrument to assess CMCIA and organizational culture was used. Organizational culture was treated as a shared set of norms and values. Meaningful CMCIA occurs when computer-network technology is maximally exploited to amplify individual information processing actions to foster organizational excellence. CMCIA was measured by a weighted user-satisfaction importance rating. Both organizational culture and CMCIA were measured empirically by administering questionnaires to respondents in organizations that use computer networks. A non-experimental field study was employed to test the hypothesis that particular types of organizational cultures foster computer-network effectiveness while other types hinder it. The usable response rate was 45%. Eight organizations were used for data analysis. Statistically significant findings showed that organizational culture interacts with the degree of use to affect user satisfaction with CMCIA. In task-oriented organizations, user satisfaction with CMCIA was positively related to degree of use. People-oriented organizations displayed a negative relationship between degree of use and user satisfaction with CMCIA. These results can be used when designing implementation strategies for information systems that have the potential to affect whole departments or organizations.