IT-adoption and the interaction of task, technology and individuals: a fit framework and a case study

Abstract

Background: Factors of IT adoption have largely been discussed in the literature. However, existing frameworks (such as TAM or TTF) are failing to include one important aspect, the interaction between user and task.

Method: Based on a literature study and a case study, we developed the FITT framework to help analyse the socio-organisational-technical factors that influence IT adoption in a health care setting.

Results: Our FITT framework ("Fit between Individuals, Task and Technology") is based on the idea that IT adoption in a clinical environment depends on the fit between the attributes of the individual users (e.g. computer anxiety, motivation), attributes of the technology (e.g. usability, functionality, performance), and attributes of the clinical tasks and processes (e.g. organisation, task complexity). We used this framework in the retrospective analysis of a three-year case study, describing the adoption of a nursing documentation system in various departments in a German University Hospital. We will show how the FITT framework helped analyzing the process of IT adoption during an IT implementation: we were able to describe every found IT adoption problem with regard to the three fit dimensions, and any intervention on the fit can be described with regard to the three objects of the FITT framework (individual, task, technology). We also derive facilitators and barriers to IT adoption of clinical information systems.

Conclusion: This work should support a better understanding of the reasons for IT adoption failures and therefore enable better prepared and more successful IT introduction projects. We will discuss, however, that from a more epistemological point of view, it may be difficult or even impossible to analyse the complex and interacting factors that predict success or failure of IT projects in a socio-technical environment.

Figure 1

Information success model by DeLone [5].

Figure 2

Technology acceptance model (TAM) by Davis [14].

Figure 3

Task-Technology-Fit model (TTF) by Goodhue [8], [13], [18].

Figure 4

The FITT framework (1): IT-adoption depends on the fit between individual, task and technology.

Figure 5

Planning, directing and assessment of the fit. While the fit can be managed by deliberate active interventions (e.g. by IT management), continuous external factors may influence it, too.

Figure 6

The FITT framework (2): Deliberate interventions and external influences will affect attributes of task, technology and fit, thereby indirectly affecting the three fit dimensions.

Figure 7

Answer to the question "Do you want to continue working with the nursing documentation system" on four wards (n = 56 for all 4 wards; 1 = no, 4 = yes; indicated is the mean of all answers). The 2nd questionnaire was applied around 3 month after IT introduction (except Ward B), the 3rd questionnaire at least 6 months after the 2nd.

Figure 8

Analysis of the Fit on a dermatologic ward shortly after introduction of the computer-based documentation system. An arrow indicates problems with the fit, a sun indicates an uncomplicated fit.

Figure 9

Analysis of the Fit on a paediatric ward shortly after introduction of the computer-based documentation system. One arrow indicates smaller problems with the fit, two arrows larger problems.

Figure 10

Analysis of the Fit on two psychiatric wards shortly after introduction of the computer-based documentation system. An arrow indicates problems with the fit; a sun indicates an uncomplicated fit.