Computer self-efficacy is a crucial component of training efforts and an important determinant of performance in computer tasks. We incorporate this important construct into the nomological network of performance in computer-supported tasks that require both functional and technology skills for successful completion. Computer self-efficacy is modeled in interaction with task and more particularized efficacy judgments, directly affecting performance in the focal task. The comprehensive model developed here provides a clear link between interventions on self-efficacy and performance in organizational settings. Our research also contributes to our understanding of the interplay between self-efficacy judgments related to functional and technological competences, as well as the positioning of more proximal and distal evaluations. We also argue for the consideration of differences in the extent to which tasks rely on technology for their performance, and show that has an impact on the relationships modeled between various self-efficacy judgments and task performance.

Using data from 1216 students and professionals, this research developed a new construct focusing on beliefs about the social role and capabilities of computing technology, the computing technology continuum of perspective (CP). Results indicated that individuals have different beliefs about the social role and capabilities of computing technology along four dimensions, including beliefs about: 1) intelligence; 2) socialness; 3) control; 4) control of rights. Results further indicated that an individual's CP was related to gender, experience with computers, as well as locus of control, self-esteem, neuroticism and general computer self-efficacy. Implications are drawn for future research investigating various beliefs about the social role and capabilities of computing technology.

Researchers have found that some system design activities for users are effective in terms of satisfaction and commitment (13), user involvement and user attitude (12) and performance (12, 13).As Markus and Mao (19) suggest, activities in different stages of the life cycle and participants should be clearly defined and studied. Many researchers (7, 16, 20, 30) suggest that user participation in the analysis stage should be more important to system success than user participation in the design stage. Most of these studies have focused only on those project team members who have been assigned formal responsibility within the project scope instead of on the operational users who have no formal responsibility within the project scope but their work life will be affected by the system. The relative contribution of operational end user participation, in the different stages has, to date, not been empirically investigated.This study reports the results of a laboratory experiment to investigate the impact of operational end user participation in two important stages of the system development life cycle: analysis and design on perceived participation, intention to use, process satisfaction and perceived ownership. There were 210 students from 3 universities in the United States who voluntarily participated in this experiment. The General Linear Model and a Structural Equation Modeling technique were used to analyze the data collected to test the hypotheses.The major findings indicate that when users are not assigned any formal project development responsibility, user participation and desire to participate still has a significant influence on perceived participation and perceived participation has a significant influence on intention to use, process satisfaction and perceived ownership. In both stages, users perceiving higher participation perceived higher process satisfaction, ownership, and intention to use than users who perceived lower participation. Further, user participation in the analysis activities led to higher, but not significant, perceived participation than user participation in the design activities.This study showed preliminary evidence that after meaningful participation in one stage of analysis or design activities, further material participation in other stages may not be necessary to promote user satisfaction with the process. The results of this study suggest a basis for resource allocation with regard to end user participation in systems development projects.