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that the items of the observability construct tapped into these two dimensions. As a
result, they decided to split the construct into visibility and demonstrability . Similar to
Moore and Benbasat [29], we hold that, in order to glean a deeper understanding of
how observability influences methodology adoption, we need to study the effect of
visibility and demonstrability individually. Result demonstrability (RD) is the degree
to which the results of using a methodology are observable by others. While in some
methodologies it is easy for others to see the results of a methodology's usage, this
might not be the case with others (e.g., because of poor transparency or poor commu-
nication of outcomes achieved). Being able to show and communicate results
achieved by using a methodology is important in acquiring tangible and intangible
benefits such as praise, bonus, and promotion, since organisational incentive systems
and management can only reward productive and efficient employees if they can
observe these improvements. Furthermore, the easier it is for potential users to
experience and see for themselves the positive effects of using a new methodology,
the more confident they will be that they will also be able to realise the positive
outcomes. In short, high observability acts as a motivator by reducing the risk in a
potential adopter's mindset that using a methodology will be unfruitful (i.e. a high
chance of the methodology not generating the promised positive results).
Result demonstrability might be especially critical to the methodology domain, be-
cause methodology outcome is characterised by the a) benefits not being realised
swiftly [22], b) diffusion of potential benefits in a highly complex network of multiple
actors. These characteristics make is hard to quantify and communicate total method-
ology usage benefits achieved to potential adopters (this is also a general problem in
the IT field). Visibility (VS ) is the degree to which a methodology is actually visible in
the work environment. Visibility here implies that potential adopters can see their
peers or seniors as they use methodologies, or know that they use them. Research has
shown that mere exposure to objects (i.e. methodologies) is capable of rendering an
individual's attitude towards these objects more positive. Extensive empirical re-
search on human behaviour has shown that individuals would use a methodology
because of their motivation to satisfy their notion of self-definition by doing what
their peers (whom they want to be like) do [7]. Consequently, the more a potential
adopter is able to observer his or her peers and seniors use a methodology, the more
he or she will be inclined to use it. Consequently, we propose that result demonstra-
bility and visibility will have a positive effect on methodology use.
Triability (TR) is the degree to which an individual believes he or she can experi-
ment with a methodology on a limited basis prior to adoption. The chance to “test” a
methodology prior to an individual making the final decision to adopt and use it helps
to clear doubts relating to usefulness, complexity, and compatibility. High triability
enables an individual to make a well-informed rational choice for himself, and is
considered to be crucial for sceptical individuals who do not simply trust what they
are told [16]. A number of studies also find strong evidence of the motivational effect
of triability (e.g., [20,35]). Furthermore, prior testing of a methodology might also
help a potential adopter to discover until then unknown or uncommunicated method-
ology benefits considered useful by the tester, since the evaluation of functionality is
subjective and differs from person to person [16]. As such, we expect triability to
have a positive effect on methodology use.
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