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The effects of display formats on multiattribute judgement decisions is studied using the cognitive fit theory. Display formats include schematic faces, graphs and tables in a bankruptcy prediction activity. Results show that graphs support the problem-solving process and preserve characteristics of underlying data. Schematic faces support the process but do not preserve underlying data. Tables provide no assistance in decision-making.

The not-for-profit information systems development (ISD) subunit of the information systems of 41 hospitals are analyzed. Result indicate that the task context of ISD and its structure have a congruence relationship. A distinction between the decision-making and control structures in the task solution choices of an ISD subunit is identified, supporting the contention that the task is often neglected as a factor in informnation system decision-making.

The basic premise of the extant literature related to electronic integration has been that the higher the integration, the higher will be the organizational performance. However, excessive electronic integration can be dysfunctional too. We make a conceptual argument that more is not always better and that the fit between contextual factors and electronic information sharing should be achieved to seek optimal channel performance. We empirically examine the fit between electronic information transfer (EIT) and contextual factors of a supply channel, our specific contribution being the assessment of fit in terms of multivariate congruence. The data required for this field study was collected from 124 managers/buyers responsible for supplier relationships in six multinational enterprises in two different industries (automobile and heavy shipbuilding) headquartered in Korea. The results ratify our hypothesis that multivariate congruence between EIT components and supply-channel contextual factors indeed exists. Follow-up drill-down analysis indicates that the monitoring component of EIT has a significant influence on demand uncertainty, and complexity-in-use is influenced by the coordination aspect of EIT. However, both the coordination and monitoring aspects of EIT are significantly relevant to interdependence of partners in a supply channel. A post hoc exploratory analysis suggests that the supply-channel performance is influenced by the fit between the contextual factors and the channel design factors. An inference of practical value that emerges from our findings is that more or less electronic integration is not the real issue. What is critical is the fit between supply-channel context and the level of electronic integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of the task to be performed by the information systems (IS) unit as a contextual factor has received little attention in the IS research literature. In addition, prior empirical work examining IS structure lacks theoretical foundation. In this paper we first clarify the multidimensional nature of an organization's subunit structure. Then, we examine the impact of the structure variables on the perceived effectiveness of a subunit of lS--software development--using "task" as the contextual contingency influencing this relationship. Organizational information processing theory provides the theoretical foundation for this study. Analysis of data from thirty hospital reveals that a contingency relationship exists between task context and structural dimensions of software development subunits in determining their effectiveness. Task complexity and decision-making structure in interaction exhibit a nonmonotonic effect on the software development subunit's effectiveness. While the interaction of subunit work flow interdependence with both decision-making structure and control structure was significant, the direction of effect was unexpected. Implications of these findings for practicing managers, and IS planners and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tests 299 auditors from 96 actual United States General Accounting Office (GAO) audits. Relationship between tasks, supervision practices, and effectiveness; Use of canonical correlation analysis; GAO audit team effectiveness; Supervision practices relating to the interdependence and size of the audit team; Implications.