Factors affecting electronic mail use

摘要

This study tests several assumptions about the circumstances under which an individual will elect to use an electronic mail system (EMS) in an organization. Based on earlier work in EMS, three sets of hypotheses were formulated. Data were obtained by surveying a total of 200 EMS account holders at an urban midwestern university. The survey instrument assessed self-reported use of the system, perceived managerial roles enacted by each user, and their perceptions of formal and informal pressure. Results show that (a) user perceptions of the medium 's usefulness will affect use, (b) EMSs are used by “liaisons” in organizations, and (c) formal and informal pressure can be used effectively to help induce nonusers to adopt. Implications for managers and future research are discussed.