Information systems user competency: A conceptual foundation

Abstract

Research has identified a variety of factors that influence people's intentions to use IS and their degree of IS use. However, what has not been well understood are the characteristics of competent IS users who are proficient in using IS and are able to achieve quality IS usage. Considering that improving IS users' abilities to more efficiently and effectively use IS has always been and remains a challenge, research that provides a comprehensive view of the characteristics associated with competent IS users is warranted. This paper addresses this research question by proposing a conceptual foundation for IS user competency. Based on social cognitive theory, this research also proposes an overarching framework for IS user competency that can serve as a theoretical foundation for future research in this domain. © 2014 by the Association for Information Systems.