Enhancing IS user empowerment and problem-solving behavior through training and prompting

Abstract

Information systems (IS) users may learn to use IS through training, but may not be able to solve IS problems that arise. This may be because of limited skills and knowledge of IS problem-solving strategies to resolve these issues. Although previous IS research has studied various aspects of training and trainers as well as the influence on performance outcomes, research has not specifically focused on training problem-solving techniques or behaviors. Considering the potentially negative outcomes from being unable to resolve IS problems, such as inaccuracies or inefficiencies in performance outcomes, this research proposes to address this gap. Research studies have demonstrated that behavioral interventions, such as prompting and transfer of stimulus control, have influenced the use of desired behaviors in specific as well as novel situations. Prompting encourages the desired behavior to be utilized, the desired behavior can then be reinforced for continuous use, and prompting is eventually removed and stimulus control is transferred to a natural stimulus (e.g., IS problem). This research intends to evaluate the effectiveness of prompting and transfer of stimulus control to enhance users’ sense of empowerment, efforts to solve IS problems, and performance outcomes. Therefore, this study intends to provide insights on methods of improving IS users abilities to solve IS problems by increasing users’ sense of empowerment and problem-solving behaviors when utilizing software applications with the use of specific behavioral interventions (i.e., prompting and transfer of stimulus control).