User evaluations of MIS success: what are we really measuring?

Many empirical studies in MIS literature ask users for their evaluations of systems as a measure of IS success. These user evaluations are variously called user attitudes, information satisfaction, MIS appreciation, information channel disposition, value, usefulness, etc. Do all these terms refer to the same underlying construct? If there are different constructs, what are they, and which instruments cover which constructs? There has been no clear discussion in the literature comparing these different measures, and no framework has been developed by which to compare them. MIS researchers are faced with some confusion about how to compare results across studies, and a lack of guidance in choosing an appropriate instrument for new empirical work. A theoretical framework is presented showing the critical constructs which lead in a causal fashion from systems and their characteristics to performance impacts at the individual level. This allows one to more clearly define and contrast the various user evaluation constructs, and to develop guidance for researchers contemplating employing them