How Well Does It Fit? An Organizational Culture Approach to Assessing Technology Use Among Homeless Service Providers

Abstract

This pilot study examines how organizational culture affects staff members' use of a homeless management information system (HMIS). Organizational culture and sociotechnical theories suggest that the goodness of fit between organizations and technology is critical to successful implementation and use. The sample included seven homeless service providers and 41 individuals. The study tested two hypotheses. First, organizational culture influences staff members' behavior. Second, organizational culture and individual characteristics interact to influence staff members' behavior. Results indicated strong interaction effects between organizational culture and gender. Women in the sample report higher average levels of HMIS use than men, but the difference diminishes as organizations grow more rigid, proficient, or resistant. Further, organizational rigidity, proficiency, and resistance are positively related to HMIS use. The findings of this pilot study suggest diffusing new technologies like the HMIS is a complex, continual process requiring examination of the goodness of fit during implementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Diffusion
• homeless
• implementation
• organizational culture
• technology
• sociotechnical theory

The research for this pilot study was funded by an Early Doctoral Dissertation Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of University Partnerships at The University of Tennessee. The authors would like to thank the Knoxville Continuum of Care for its participation and cooperation with this research.