Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
Browse

From Users to Choosers: the Change in Employee Technology Expectations

Download (446.28 kB)
thesis
posted on 2021-11-13, 19:20 authored by Clarke, David J

This research looks at the motivation for using non-sanctioned technologies within a business context; that is, using Information Technology (IT) systems other than those provided (or approved) by the IT department. In this research, the non-sanctioned IT systems of primary interest are the internet based applications, but also includes personally owned hardware devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. This qualitative study used the key informant approach to gain an understanding of the subject using a semi-structured interview format. The results show that employees in knowledge based roles are choosing their own technology tools when they believe that they give them better functionality or flexibility over those offered and approved by the traditional IT department. Graduates and other millennial employees are found to be using non-sanctioned systems more frequently than older workers; millennials are also far more likely to use whatever application or device they want, regardless of the source or what corporate IT policies stated. The use of these non-sanctioned technologies should be a source concern to IT management because many of these can circumvent the organisations security and data management governance policies, giving the potential for data loss or unwanted exposure, regulatory compliance failure or have undesirable legal implications. The results also suggest that IT departments do not have the resources to keep up with the rate of change in technology. At the same time, the users of their services are able to obtain technology solutions from a range of other sources. This may mean a change in the role of the IT department as it loses its position as the technology gatekeeper.

History

Copyright Date

2012-01-01

Date of Award

2012-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Information Management

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Information Management

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

890399 Information Services not elsewhere classified

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Masters Research Paper

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Information Management

Advisors

Johnstone, David