A31. Rice,
R. E. & Contractor, N. (1990). Conceptual effects of office
information
systems: A methodology and application for the study of alpha, beta,
and
gamma change. Decision Sciences, 21(2), 301-317.
This article applies the concepts of alpha, beta, and gamma changes
to test whether the implementation of a new office information system
with
networking capabilities changes the way organizational members
conceptualize
office work. Traditional approach (t-test) was used to measure
alpha
change and indicated little change in how effectively the respondents
felt
they performed eight generic office activities before implementation
(T1)
and nine months after implementation (T2). However, considerable change
was detected between effectiveness reported at T1 and retrospective
assessment
of T1effectiveness reported at T2 (called "then" assessments). Strong
change
was also detected between "then" assessments and T2 effectiveness
reported
at T2, indicating beta change. Multiple hierarchical tests showed that
most of the change was actually gamma change; the T2 and the "then"
factor
structures and convariances differed significantly. This study supports
propositions that using computers to accomplish organizational work may
be associated with different conceptualizations of work, which may
create
ambiguity and uncertainty if training and management policies do not
respond
appropriately. Finally, this study provides an expanded version of a
prior
solution to detecting alpha, beta, and gamma changes.
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