Advancing the Concept of Effective Use in Information Systems: A Critical Review and Multilevel Framework

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been an increasing exploration and empirical examination of the conceptualization of effective use. However, there is still a wide range of disagreement among scholars about what effective use means and what constitutes effective use. Thie paper aims to critically review the existing knowledge on effective use conception. Specifically, we summarize the development of effective use research over the past decade, and analyze what effective use means and what constitutes effective use to scholars. Based on the analysis, we offer a fresh perspective on effective use that goes beyond the traditional focus on specific action dimensions. We highlight the importance of strategy and process levels, emphasizing goal setting and workflow design as essential elements in achieving effective use. Through this review, we hope to shed light on the conceptual issues surrounding effective use and provide guidance for future research in this area.