A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY OF THE PROCESS EMPLOYED IN THE ADOPTION OF A COMPUTER-ASSISTED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IN AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION (MIS)

Utilization of computer technology by administrative management in educational organizations often falls short of the potential value of that technology. Research indicates that the decision-making and implementation process is critical in determining the successful adoption of a computer-assisted Management Information System (MIS). This study investigated the decision-making and implementation process for a computer-assisted MIS at an educational institution in the Pacific Northwest where the MIS was perceived, by management-level users of that system, as successfully adopted by that organization.; The following research questions were answered by this ex post factor case study which grounded the data in change adoption and effective group decision-making theoretical models. Behavioral event interviewing, and thematic content analysis techniques were included in research methodologies. (1) What was the sequence of events leading to the adoption of the computer-assisted MIS? (2) What role was played by the chief decision makers in the adoption of the computer-assisted MIS? (3) What was the nature of the decision-making process employed to adopt the computer-assisted MIS?; This study examines reported behaviors and perceptions among individuals identified as instrumental in the MIS adoption process at the subject institution. The findings identified a chronology of events including: articulation of needs, allocations of funds, purchase of hardware, and implementation of the new system. Stages of concern, combined with level of use, were identified and analyzed to determine the collective roles played by decision makers which included: determination of needs, assemblance of users for information sharing, making process decisions, and managing and facilitating the use of the new system. The nature of the decision-making process was interpreted from the reported consideration of effective decision making rules and was defined as generally autocratic with components of individual consultation.; While this study confirmed findings of other researchers, it add to the existing body of knowledge in that it looked at the total integrative process of decision making within the MIS adoption process as a whole.