A Field Study of End User Computing: Findings and Issues.

Author List: Benson, David H.;
MIS Quarterly, 1983, Volume 7, Issue 4, Page 35-45.
This article reports on a series of interviews on end user computing carried out in twenty locations in St. Louis. The interviews took place between December 1982 and March 1983. Sixty-seven end users from all levels of management and nineteen IS professionals were interviewed in their work locations regarding the practice of interactive computing by non-DP professionals. Though end user computing is still in its early stages, signs of rapid growth are present. In response to this growth, IS departments are attempting to develop policies for its control and support. The picture is complicated by the recent introduction of microcomputers to the business office. The study explores this new phenomenon and examines some of the differences between those who use the mainframe environment and those who use micro-computers. Software used, the varieties of applications developed, and the training background of end users are examined, as well as some of the problems encountered and some of the early results. A prime objective of the study is accomplished in identifying end users' educational goals. Finally, five critical issues are identified which those interviewed saw as needing resolution in the near future.
Keywords: education; End User; Microcomputer; personal computer; training
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#134 0.215 users end use professionals user organizations applications needs packages findings perform specialists technical computing direct future selection ability help software
#137 0.152 phase study analysis business early large types phases support provided development practice effectively genres associated different sensemaking including form technologies
#248 0.148 computing end-user center support euc centers management provided users user services organizations end satisfaction applications article ibm step field policies
#80 0.096 organizations new information technology develop environment challenges core competencies management environmental technologies development emerging opportunities levels based change business technical
#72 0.074 skills professionals skill job analysts managers study results need survey differences jobs different significantly relative required motivation programmers technical factors
#279 0.069 field work changes new years time change major period year end use past early century half traditional areas established strong
#106 0.062 integration present offer processes integrating current discuss perspectives related quality literature integrated benefits measures potential regarding issues finally taken propose
#39 0.060 article response editor presents issue letter presented management university december issues davis march articles conference authors needs september smis past
#63 0.052 mis problems article systems management edp managers organizations ;br> data survey application examines need experiences recent organization reports departments oriented