Knowing Which Apps Managers Like: A Manager App Portal Accommodating Their User Preferences

Abstract

Nowadays, even apps for corporate management are respectable. Manager app portals complement such "run-a-business" apps with apps that make managers' business life easier. However, the right mix of apps makes the difference. Accommodating the user perspective, the objective of this article is to examine which apps disproportionately influence managers' perception of IS usefulness. Applying the Kano model and considering both "analyst-" and "consumer-type" managers, we employ findings from a manager focus group survey to discuss the strongest differentiators: (1) Offer collaboration bars and push notifications on changes to shared office documents for analyst managers. Get consumer managers "online" with news tickers. (2) Make core reports more interactive with drill downs and filters for manager self-service. (3) Take "fun and enjoyment" into account when accommodating managers' business life. (4) Consider that tablets create their own manager use case as a "first-stop information shop."