Enterprise Social Networks as Digital Infrastructures - Understanding the Utilitarian Value of Social Media at the Workplace

Figures & data

Figure 1. Research model.

Figure 2. Model results.

Table 1. Definitions and measurement items.

Perceived Versatility (VER): The degree to which the user perceives the ESN as being useful for different purposes. (self-developed)
VER1 VER2 VER3	<The ESN> can be used for specific subtasks as well as superordinate tasks. <The ESN> can be used for many different work-related purposes. Different tasks can be performed in <the ESN>.
Perceived Adaptability (ADA): The degree to which the user perceives the ESN as being adaptable to the given environment of the company. (self-developed)
ADA1 ADA2 ADA3	The structures in <the ESN> are constantly evolving. <The ESN> structures are constantly adapting to the environment of the organization. <The ESN> has become adapted to my organization’s structures.
Perceived Invisibility-in-use (INV): The degree to which the user perceives the ESN to be operating in the background without consciously noticing it. (self-developed)
VIS1 VIS2 VIS3	I often use <the ESN> unconsciously, as it has become an integral part of my working infrastructure. I unconsciously use <the ESN> for many of my tasks. <The ESN> is always available in the background during working hours.
Perceived Interconnectedness (INT): The degree to which the ESN is interconnected with the existing processual, technological and social infrastructures. (self-developed)
INT1 INT2 INT3	In my organization, <the ESN> supports <1) only a few … 7) most> of the existing processes. In my organization, <the ESN> is an <1) important … 7) unimportant> component of the existing infrastructure. Through <the ESN>, I am connected with my colleagues.
Perceived Reflexivity (REF): The degree to which the user perceives his/her activities as having an influence on the ESN’s development over time. (self-developed)
REF1 REF2 REF3	<The ESN> allows me to influence its future development. I can participate in designing <the ESN>. My activities in <the ESN> have an influence on its evolving structures.
Perceived Usefulness (PEU): The degree to which the individual evaluates the ESN as useful. (adapted from Davis, 1989)
PEU1 PEU2 PEU3	Using <the ESN> has been beneficial to me. Compared to other resources, it is easier to access information through <the ESN>. Using <the ESN> supports me in accomplishing tasks more quickly.
Perceived Enjoyment (ENJ): The degree to which the user perceives the usage of the ESN as enjoyable. (adapted from Davis et al., 1992)
ENJ1 ENJ2 ENJ3 ENJ4	I find using <the ESN> to be enjoyable. The process of using <the ESN> is pleasant. I have fun using <the ESN>. Using <the ESN> gives me a good feeling.
ESN Use Continuance (EUC): The intention of the user to continuously use the ESN. (adapted from Agarwal & Karahanna, 2000)
EUC1 EUC2 EUC3	I intend to continue actively using <the ESN> rather than discontinue its use. My intentions are to continue using <the ESN> rather than to use any alternative means. If I could, I would like to discontinue my use of <the ESN> (reverse coded).

Table 2. Descriptive data.

Gender	N	%
Male	102	84.3
Female	19	15.7
Age
<30	16	13.2
31–40	29	24.0
41–49	38	31.4
51–60	35	28.9
>60	1	.80
No response	2	.70
ESN Usage Experience (months)
0–12	17	14.0
13–18	26	21.5
19–24	17	14.0
>24	45	37.2
No response	16	13.2

Table 3. Descriptive statistics of item values.

	Mean	Min	Max	Std. Dev.			Mean	Min	Max	Std. Dev.
Perceived Versatility (VER)						Perceived Reflexivity (REF)
VER1	4.91	2	7	1.34		REF1	3.06	1	7	1.43
VER2	5.30	1	7	1.29		REF2	2.63	1	7	1.40
VER3	4.93	1	7	1.49		REF3	2.95	1	7	1.49
Perceived Adaptability (ADA)						Perceived Usefulness (PEU)
ADA1	5.06	2	7	1.29		PEU1	3.93	1	7	1.70
ADA2	4.86	2	7	1.40		PEU2	4.96	1	7	1.55
ADA3	4.15	1	7	1.51		PEU3	4.06	1	7	1.74
Perceived Invisibility-in-use (INV)						Perceived Enjoyment (ENJ)
VIS1	3.97	1	7	1.93		ENJ1	3.88	1	7	1.65
VIS2	3.63	1	7	1.70		ENJ2	4.06	1	7	1.54
VIS3	4.92	1	7	1.79		ENJ3	3.75	1	7	1.64
						ENJ4	3.04	1	7	1.50
Perceived Interconnectedness (INT)						ESN Use Continuance (EUC)
INT1	4.30	1	7	1.41		EUC1	5.27	1	7	1.52
INT2	4.98	1	7	1.19		EUC2	4.83	1	7	1.78
INT3	5.65	1	7	1.34		EUC3	5.09	1	7	1.95

Table 4. Measurement model analysis and inter-construct correlations.

	CR	AVE	ADA	VER	INV	REF	INT	PEU	ENJ	EUC
ADA	.88	.70	.84
VER	.92	.79	.62	.89
INV	.88	.70	.53	.55	.84
REF	.87	.69	.39	.32	.36	.83
INT	.82	.69	.37	.28	.29	.18	.83
PEU	.93	.81	.62	.58	.67	.42	.45	.90
ENJ	.96	.85	.60	.78	.62	.47	.35	.78	.92
EUC	.89	.73	.55	.56	.62	.35	.34	.78	.73	.86

CR = composite reliability; AVE = average variance extracted; ADA = adaptability; VER = versatility; INV = invisibility-in-use; REF = reflexivity; INT = interconnectedness; PEU = perceived usefulness; ENJ = perceived enjoyment; EUC = ESN use continuance

Table 5. Direct and indirect effects.

Predictor	Outcome	Standardized β	Standard Error	t-value	p-value
Direct effects
ADA	PEU	0.21	0.08	2.68	.004
VER	PEU	0.14	0.07	2.06	.020
INV	PEU	0.39	0.07	5.70	.000
REF	PEU	0.11	0.08	1.39	.082
INT	PEU	0.20	0.12	1.68	.047
PEU	EUC	0.54	0.09	6.19	.000
ENJ	EUC	0.31	0.10	3.21	.001
Indirect effects
ADA	EUC	0.12	0.04	2.69	.004
VER	EUC	0.08	0.04	1.89	.029
INV	EUC	0.21	0.05	4.02	.000
REF	EUC	0.06	0.04	1.40	.080
INT	EUC	0.11	0.07	1.50	.067

CR = composite reliability; AVE = average variance extracted; ADA = adaptability; VER = versatility; INV = invisibility-in-use; REF = reflexivity; INT = interconnectedness; PEU = perceived usefulness; ENJ = perceived enjoyment; EUC = ESN use continuance

Table 6. Hypotheses results.

Hypotheses	Result
H1: Perceived usefulness is positively correlated with ESN use continuance	Supported
H2: Perceived enjoyment is positively correlated with ESN use continuance	Supported
H3: Perceived adaptability is positively correlated with the perceived usefulness of the ESN	Supported
H4: Perceived invisibility-in-use is positively correlated with the perceived usefulness of the ESN	Supported
H5: Perceived interconnectedness is positively correlated with the perceived usefulness of the ESN	Supported
H6: Perceived versatility is positively correlated with the perceived usefulness of the ESN	Supported
H7: Perceived reflexivity is positively correlated with the perceived usefulness of the ESN	Not Supported

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13, 319. doi:10.2307/249008

 Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., & Warshaw, P. R. (1992). Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to use computers in the workplace. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 22, 1111–1132. doi:10.1111/jasp.1992.22.issue-14

 Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Agarwal, R., & Karahanna, E. (2000). Time flies when you’re having fun: Cognitive absorption and beliefs about information technology usage. MIS Quarterly, 24, 665–694. doi:10.2307/3250951

 Web of Science ®Google Scholar