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Although computers and information technology (IT) have penetrated the field of social work, little research has systematically studied how users respond to this infusion. Information systems researchers have accumulated significant insights into IT acceptance in business organizations after decades of efforts. In this study, users in the social services were assessed for their acceptance of IT. A research model based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior was developed, arguing that attitudes toward using IT, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are important antecedents of intentions to use IT, which affect actual usage. In addition, users consider the benefits that they bring to their organizations and clients through using IT when forming their attitudes toward using IT. Data collected from users of a Homeless Management Information System in a northeastern U.S. state verified the research model. The results suggest new interventions to promote IT acceptance by users in the social services sector.

The nonprofit sector has become an important part of the U.S. economy, but Information Systems (IS) research in the sector has been limited. In this paper we attempt to motivate and organize IS research endeavors in the nonprofit context. We argue that the nonprofit sector presents not only new challenges but also numerous opportunities for IS research. We present a conceptual framework on the effectiveness of IS in nonprofits and illustrate how the framework can be used to identify the challenges and the opportunities. We also discuss how IS research in nonprofits can contribute to new understandings in IS in all organizations. Overall, we call for an increase in research efforts that will help better understand IS-related issues in the nonprofit sector.

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