Self-Efficacy and Computer Use

Understanding the factors that influence an individual’s use of technology should be goal of human resource professionals. Computer self-efficacy has been found to influence individuals in using computers. Individuals with high self-efficacy have been found to be highly correlated with the use of computers.

There is also a strong relationship between successful interactions with technology and influences on self-efficacy (Compeau, Higgins, and Huff, 1999). For example, at the TSA test center, a candidate who was taking the three part test stated she had never used a computer before in her life. This is an example of an individual exhibiting low self-efficacy with computers. After completion of the test, she mention that she using the computer was so intriguing to her that she was going to ask her husband to buy her one. Her interaction with the technology influenced her desire to want to use the technology in the future.

Compeau, Higgins, and Huff (1999) demonstrate that there are a total of five variables that influence computer usage, they include: computer self-efficacy, performance outcome expectations, personal outcome expectations, affect, and anxiety. Self-efficacy is defined as the belief an individual has in doing a specific task. Performance outcome expectations are those associated with improving job performance. Personal outcome expectations are the expectations of change in image or status or to expectations in rewards. Affect is the enjoyment a person derives in using computers. Anxiety is the feelings of apprehension about using a computer. In their study, they found a strong relationship between anxiety and self-efficacy and computer usage, as well as a strong relationship between affect and self-efficacy and computer usage. They found a negative relationship between personal outcome expectations and computer usage.