TASK-TECHNOLOGY FIT - Human-Computer Interaction and Management Information Systems: Foundations - page 166

C HAPTER 9

TASK-TECHNOLOGY FIT

A Critical (But Often Missing!) Construct
in Models of Information Systems
and Performance

D ALE L. G OODHUE

Abstract: This paper makes the case that task-technology fit is a critical construct that is often
missing in models of information systems and performance. Its importance is deceptively obvious—
a technology can have positive performance impacts only if it “fits” the task that is being supported.
Unfortunately, not all technology does fit the tasks for which it is being used. However, some of the
most frequently cited models in MIS individual research can be characterized as utilization focused,
and are missing this key fit construct. Limitations of such models are explored, and the case is made
for including both task-technology fit and utilization in models of performance. An approach for
measuring task-technology fit is also described, followed by a selection of published empirical
evidence involving task-technology fit. Finally, some potentially interesting new ways of concep-
tualizing task-technology fit are described.

Keywords: Task-Technology Fit, Performance Impacts, Information Systems, Utilization

INTRODUCTION

Task-technology fit (TTF) is a construct that is part of the causal chain between information tech-
nology and performance impacts. On the surface, its importance is deceptively obvious—a tech-
nology can only have positive performance impacts if it “fits” the task that is being supported. The
better the fit, the more positive the performance impacts. While the concept has been used to
address both individual (e.g., Goodhue et al., 2000; Dishaw and Strong, 1999; Mathieson and
Keil, 1998) and group (e.g., Zigurs and Buchland, 1998; Dennis et al., 2001) impacts, we will
focus here primarily on the individual level.
Surprisingly, some of the most frequently cited models in MIS individual research (Delone and
McLean's 1992 framework and Davis et al.'s 1989 technology acceptance model), focus only on
utilization as the key requirement for performance, either ignoring, or including only implicitly,
the fact that even when used equally, different technologies have a different impact on perfor-
mance. Perhaps the lion's share of MIS research at the individual level could be characterized as
“utilization focused,” with a much smaller set that could be characterized as “task-technology fit
focused.” HCI research as well as MIS research needs to consider not only what aspects of a tech-
nology lead someone to choose to use it, but also the impacts on performance when the technol-
ogy is used. This paper will first argue that to accurately reflect the relevant aspects of the impact

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