| Research studies have suggested that computer education, attitudes toward the computer, and organizational policy relate to computer usage in business environments. Systems theory has suggested that for a system within an organization to change, a change in management policy must be conveyed, and the system must be able to incorporate this information, manage its own change, stabilize this change, and obtain feedback on the effectiveness of this change. Therefore, this author hypothesized that in order for managers to use computers, they must sense that the organization expects computers to be used, learn how to use them, and maintain this change through feedback and support mechanisms.;The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between computer usage in private businesses and (1) the organizational policies and supports that are available to the individual and (2) the amount and kind of computer education that the individual has experienced. Attitudes toward the computer were also investigated. In addition, this investigation examined the interaction between two organizational variables (Organizational Policy, Use of Support Systems), the variable Computer Education, four individual variables (Computer Anxiety, Computer Experience, Age, Gender) and the variable Computer Usage.;Ninety-five managers completed the questionnaire battery and 18 of these managers were interviewed. Analysis consisted of correlation, discriminant analysis, one way analysis of variance, forward-selection regression analysis, and path analysis as well as content analysis of interviews. Results indicated that Lack of Computer Anxiety and Computer Experience affect Computer Usage directly. Youth affects Computer Usage both directly and indirectly through its effect on Lack of Anxiety. The effect Computer Education has on Computer Usage is mediated by Computer Experience. Providing support systems aids and facilitates usage. The results have implications for schools and businesses that are planning to introduce computers or to increase computer usage in their organizations. Through an understanding of which variables contribute positively to computer usage, educators and executives may be aided in formulating policies and planning courses, workshops, and programs to encourage computer usage. |
