Integrating the IT Use Literature: Construct Validity and a Holistic Nomological Framework

Abstract

IT use is the fundamental construct of IS research. However, despite its centrality, the literature lacks agreement on the nature of the construct and its antecedents, which has led to a fragmented nomological network. We provide a comprehensive review of the existing empirical IT use constructs, analyze their overlaps, and distill them into three dominant constructs: adoption, static IT use, and innovative IT use. We then develop an overarching framework for extant IT use research by developing a holistic model. Each IT use construct has its own set of organizational and technological antecedents as well as psychological drivers. Our model synthesizes existing research and is empirically validated using a web-based survey of business technology users. These findings resolve issues in the conceptualization of IT use, integrate the fragmented IT literature, and help avoid the illusion of knowledge accumulation. The outcomes of the paper provide guidelines for researchers on the conceptualization of IT use as well as for practitioners regarding purposeful use-based design. Areas for future research in IT use are also recommended.