Determinants of Computer Utilization by Extension Personnel: A Structural Equations Approach

Autor/inn/en	Sivakumar, Paramasivan Sethuraman; Parasar, Bibudha; Das, Raghu Nath; Anantharaman, Mathevanpillai
Titel	Determinants of Computer Utilization by Extension Personnel: A Structural Equations Approach
Quelle	In: Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 20 (2014) 2, S.191-212 (22 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1389-224X
DOI	10.1080/1389224X.2013.803986
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Information Technology; Computer Networks; Agriculture; Computer Use; Extension Agents; Extension Education; Structural Equation Models; Measures (Individuals); Validity; Reliability; Computer Attitudes; Employee Attitudes; Questionnaires; Content Validity; Statistical Analysis; Profiles; Individual Characteristics; Computer Literacy; Gender Differences; Predictor Variables; Factor Analysis; Factor Structure; Goodness of Fit; Comparative Analysis; India + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Informationstechnologie; Computernetz; Computernetze; Kommunikationsnetz; Landwirtschaft; Erweitertes Bildungsangebot; Messdaten; Gültigkeit; Reliabilität; Arbeitnehmerinteresse; Fragebogen; Statistische Analyse; Charakterisierung; Profilanalyse; Personality characteristic; Personality traits; Persönlichkeitsmerkmal; Computerkenntnisse; Geschlechterkonflikt; Prädiktor; Faktorenanalyse; Faktorenstruktur; Indien
Abstract	Purpose: Information technology (IT) has tremendous potential for fostering grassroots development and the Indian government has created various capital-intensive computer networks to promote agricultural development. However, research studies have shown that information technology investments are not always translated into productivity gains due to poor computer use by employees. In this context, a research investigation was conducted to develop a Computer Utilization Model that explains how individual and organizational factors influence computer utilization in extension organizations in India. Design/Methodology/Approach: Survey research design was used to collect data from 299 extension professionals working in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK-Farm Science Centres) in two Indian states. Various cognitive, affective and organizational factors that influenced computer utilization of extension professionals were modelled through a structural equations approach. Findings: The measurement model showed that the research instrument had adequate internal consistency and composite reliabilities as well as convergent validity. Factors like organizational support, perceived ease of use of computers and task uncertainty, positively influenced the extension professionals' perception of the utility of computer systems in extension work. Practical implications: Using this model, extension managers can diagnose present computer skills, perceptual problems of their employees about the utility of computer systems and inadequacies in organizational support, etc., to enhance computer utilization. Implementation of advanced psychometric methods like Structural Equation Modelling in this research has improved the generalizability of results. Originality/value: This study has developed a model that can improve theoretical understandings of computer utilization and also help managers or policy-makers to diagnose the problems hindering computer use in extension organizations. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10