Technology Successful Implementation Through the Congruence Model
Report by Staci Hermann and Chad Stashek Presented by Dan Kenron
Overview
Introduction Congruence Model
Model Elements
Definition
Bringing it all together
Theory Practice Application
Conclusion
For successful implementation
Introduction
This presentation is on a paper written by Chad and Staci Their paper investigates technology implementation through the Congruence Model (Nadler and Tushman, 1980)
Technology Implementation
Implementing technology is a complex process The implementation of new technology affects human behavior as well as organizational behavior Models are helpful in implementing technology
Congruence Model : Introduction
Why a model?
The Congruence Model identifies focus areas to improve performance when changing within an organization
All models help explain the complex, like a "roadmap" Explains the `fit' of elements in a system with one another
(Nadler and Tushman 1980)
Congruence Model: Introduction
Model Overview
An Open Systems model Four key elements:
Open systems interact with their environment Task, Individual, Formal Organization, Informal Organization
Model seeks to align these four elements, or reach congruence
Congruence Model: Open systems
An Open System:
Is dependant on the surrounding environment for resources, information and feedback Seeks equilibrium Provides feedback on the transformation process
Nadler and Tushman, 1980
Congruence Model: Elements
Inputs:
Outputs:
Environment: regulations, market shifts, suppliers, competition, etc. Resources: money, technology, information History: key past events & reaction to those events Goal achievement: implementing technology Resource utilization: using technology Behavior: accepting (liking) technology
Congruence Model: Elements
Transformation Processes:
Tasks: activities conducted by the people to further the organization's strategy Individual: those who perform the tasks in the organization. Formal Organization: the structured system whereby the people and work are aligned Informal Organization: the unstructured organization where people influence the others, work and organization outside what has been formalized
Congruence Model: Elements
Technology Implementation:
Tasks: work which changes due to technology implementation Individual: the people who are effected by technology implementation Formal Organization: the overseeing body implementing the change, Informal Organization: the undercurrent which adopts or rejects the technology being implemented
Congruence Model: Introduction
Implement technology Accept and use technology
Recognize that feedback is an important part of the change process Balance new technology with existing systems in organization
Task: the theory
Tasks, well, it's just work. More formally, tasks are:
Activities conducted in an organization What people do to advance the formal organization's strategy
Task: in practice
Implementing technology changes the workflow, procedures, and processes
Tasks change:
Sequence, meaning, visual queues
Managing this change is important to establish with the people and within the informal organization
Need to bring congruence with how tasks are done
Task: applications
Implementing ERP
Z. Lee and J. Lee (2000) describe the process of moving the University of Nebraska to an ERP They comment on how tasks change
Healthcare institution changing call system
"[Users] not ply had to deal with the new system, but also with new business processes that often required new business rules" (p 285) "...people in Accounts Payable began to feel helpless as their important matching processes were discontinued" (p 285)
Kinney looks at what tasks are being performed and what will be replaced with new technology in overhead call systems (Kinney, K., 2007)
Individual: in theory
People (individuals) make up the organization and perform the tasks needed to meet the strategic goals People are different
In demographics In education In motivation
(Nadler and Tushman, 1980)
Individual: in practice
Metaanalysis of peoplecentric elements in technology implementation (Mahmood 2000):
Elements (significance):
user involvement in system development (r=0.661) perceived usefulness (r=0.580) user experience (r=0.565) user attitude toward information systems (r=0.462) user expectations (r=0.458) user skills (r=0.443) ease of use (r=0.404)
Large effect size. Medium effect size.
Individual: in practice
Novelli argues that people perceive events, such as implementing new technology, through perceived justice
Justice has three components:
Fairness in distribution of the work Fairness in how the work is assigned Fairness of how the people are treated
Implementing technology should seek fairness in these three areas. It is also important that
Rewards associated with the work are distributed fairly Decisions that affect the people are considered fair
Individual: application
Sun and Riis (1994)
Find that individuals are important in implementing technology
Operators who support new technology (AMT), know more about it People who seek challenges will favor AMT
Bring congruence between individuals' intentions and performance of technology
Formal Organization: in theory
The decision making body of the organization Set strategy, champion change and direct the other elements in the organization
organization
Formal outlines the responsibilities and processes to attain desired outcomes
Formal Organization: in practice
Mahmood (2000) confirms the importance of organizational support (r=0.525)
That is training, availability of resources, and upper management support
Nadler and Tushman suggest a unified vision of the future state be provided by management
The formal organization should have a goal and vision
In other words, the formal organization is responsible for setting expectations of new technologies
Formal Organization: application
Voluntary implementation
Mandatory implementation:
TAM for successful implementation Perceived usefulness most important TAM's guidelines shift for successful implementation Positive attitudes most important Training is key:
Management needs to provide such training opportunities
Beyond knowing `what button to push' but what that button does, how pushing the button changes their job, and how it impacts others' jobs (Brown, Massey, MontyoaWeiss and Burkman, 2002)
Formal Organization: application
Top management support is critical for a project where information technology success is dependent on user involvement (Guimaraes 1992) (Dong 2001).
Need to establish rules and procedures in using technology Set goals of using new technology (what the technology should so)
To bring the system in congruence:
Mahmood suggests that managers should identify enduser specific performance needs and their job satisfaction factors Work to reduce the gaps between performance needs and job satisfaction Shrinking such gaps brings individualtask, individualformal organization, and taskformal organization in congruence
Informal Organization: in theory
Social norms in an organization Relations among groups Political processes
Changing technology effects how people interact in an organization
Informal Organization: in practice
Theory of Planned Behavior (Aizen):
Models how subjective norms directly impact an individual's attitude toward their behavior of acceptance of technology
McDermott & Stock view organizational culture as
A factor that may ultimately influence the effectiveness technology implementation (1999) Determined culture is important in implementing technology, but in complex ways
Informal Organization: application
Holahan, et al., investigate the cultural climate and its influence on implementation of technology
Implementing technology (computers and telecommunications) with K12 teachers Identify culture as important in implementing technology
`Organizational receptivity toward change' is identified as a cultural element that antecedes climate Climate is an important predictor of implementation effectiveness
Acknowledging the informal culture in is important in technology implementation
Congruence leads to the culture supporting the new tasks, and policies associated with implementing new technology
Pulling it all together
Congruence of elements (people, work, formal organization, & informal organization) is important in a work system Congruence is how well elements fit together:
how needs of one element are met by the other elements
Nadler and Tushman 1980
Pulling it all together
The congruence model:
At the basic level:
provides a framework to conside...