David A. Case

Date of Award

3-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Alan R. Heminger, PhD

Abstract

The tremendous proliferation of end user computing (EUC) in the workplace over the past few decades is cause for concern in public and private organizations. Computer use has moved from individuals working with "dumb" terminals in centralized networks to individuals operating personal computers, just as powerful as yesterday's mainframe. The end user has had to evolve and will continue evolving as well; from someone with low level technical skills to someone with a high level of technical knowledge and information managerial skills. Because EUC continues growing more sophisticated, end users must not only maintain a level of competence, but prepare for the next generation of computing technology. Doing so will enable organizations to continue enjoying the positive benefits of EUC success. Research indicates that EUC success may depend on end user competence. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test an integrated model of EUC success, the results of this study show that computer training, education level, beliefs about computer systems and the ability to operate them lead to end user computing competence. Additionally, results show that computer system use, a factor in achieving EUC success, is an outcome of end user computing competence. The overall conclusions drawn from this study is that the Air Force organization may be able to improve its efforts to successfully use computing technology, however it appears individual personnel have the competence to do so already. There may be additional underlying factors contributing to the lack of significant computing success, the discovery of which is a prospect for future research.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GIR-ENV-03-01

DTIC Accession Number

ADA415162

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