User Acceptance of Agile Information Systems: A Model and Empirical Test

Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 235–272, 2011

38 Pages Posted: 26 Dec 2011

See all articles by Weiyin Hong

Weiyin Hong

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

James Y.L. Thong

HKUST Business School

Lewis C. Chasalow

University of Findlay

Gurpreet Dhillon

Virginia Commonwealth University

Date Written: December 25, 2011

Abstract

In response to the rapid changes in users’ requirements, a new generation of information systems (IS), namely, agile IS, has emerged. Agile IS, defined as information systems developed using agile methods, are characterized by frequent upgrades with a small number of new features released periodically. The existing research on agile IS has mainly focused on the developers’ perspective with little research into end users’ responses to these agile IS. Drawing upon the tripartite model of attitude, the status quo and the omission bias theories, and the availability heuristic, we propose a model that utilizes constructs from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, the IS continuance model, habit, and individual differences to examine the drivers of user acceptance of agile IS. Further, we investigate not only users’ intentions to continue using the agile IS but also their intentions to use new features when they are released, which is a surrogate for the ultimate success of agile IS. Data from 477 users of an agile IS showed that users’ level of comfort with constant changes, the facilitating conditions provided, and users’ habit are predictors of both types of intentions, with users’ level of comfort with constant changes being the strongest predictor. Users’ intentions to continue using agile IS are also determined by users’ satisfaction with and perceived usefulness of the past upgrades. Finally, users who are innovative are more likely to use future releases of new features. The present work fills a gap in the software engineering literature and contributes a technology acceptance model specific to agile IS, which are becoming a mainstay of companies’ IT portfolio in a fast-changing business environment.

Keywords: agile methods, agile systems, availability heuristic, comfort with change, habit, information systems continuance, omission bias, personal innovativeness, status quo bias, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)

Suggested Citation

Hong, Weiyin and Thong, James Y.L. and Chasalow, Lewis C. and Dhillon, Gurpreet, User Acceptance of Agile Information Systems: A Model and Empirical Test (December 25, 2011). Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 235–272, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1976914

Weiyin Hong

University of Nevada, Las Vegas ( email )

4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
United States

James Y.L. Thong (Contact Author)

HKUST Business School ( email )

Clear Water Bay
Kowloon
Hong Kong

HOME PAGE: http://jthong.people.ust.hk/

Lewis C. Chasalow

University of Findlay ( email )

Hancock County, OH
United States

Gurpreet Dhillon

Virginia Commonwealth University ( email )

1015 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.dhillon.us.com

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