Factors determining the behavior and effectiveness of personal decision support systems users: An examination of Fishbein\u27s model

Personal computing, and the microcomputer which support it, are referred to as Personal Decision Support Systems (PDSS) (Lehman, 1985). Empirical studies regarding personal computing have been of the general field study type, primarily examining trends and/or establishing the basic concept of personal computing. This research builds and empirically tests a research model that conceptualizes some impact variables which are internal to the user, as intervening in the relationship between the situational or external variables identified by previous MIS research and system success (utilization, decision performance, and satisfaction). This study employs a framework, based on Fishbein and Ajzen\u27s intention-behavior model (1975), to integrate variables indicated to be important by previous findings in MIS studies, and to provide a micro-description of how those variables affect success of personal DSS. The conceptual model consists of six independent variables (users\u27 experience and education, enduser tools, end-user support, end-user training, task fepetitiveness, and task analyzability) and their impact on three intermediate variables (attitude, intention, and actual usage) and one dependent variable (user satisfaction). j The methodology employed in this study involves a two-phased cross-sectional field survey of personal DSS users in seven large organizations. To examine the mechanisms by which the independent and intermediate variables affect success, eight hypotheses were investigated using stepwise multiple regression analysis. Three hypotheses were supported. Although the study failed to shed light on how the determinants a//ecf success, it co^irmed the underlying conceptual framework of Fishbein\u27s model