Discussion

---

Supporting the reasoning of Tan et al. (1995, 1998) and Straub (1994), this study suggests that cultural factors affect information technology choice. Additionally, the results strengthen Bowen and Lawler's (1992) proposition that information technology choice is one important contingency in the pursuit of empowerment. Japanese companies which had a high state of empowerment all used information rich technologies extensively. Given the cultural dimensions and characteristics as explained by Hofstede (1980), combined with the reasoning of Straub (1994) and Bowen and Lawler (1992), this high state of empowerment could stem from a synergistic interaction between the inherent Japanese resistance to uncertainty with their overwhelming choice and use of information rich technologies. In contrast, United States companies which had a high state of empowerment all used collaborative technologies extensively. Again, given the Hofstede (1980) dimensions and Straub (1994) and Bowen and Lawler (1992) reasoning, this high state of empowerment could stem from a synergistic interaction between the inherent US individualist nature with their overwhelming choice and use of collaborative technologies.

As observed by the Fellows, only two of the twelve companies studied had low empowerment, possibly because the technologies chosen and used were not appropriate for the cultural settings. In the Japanese company which had a low state of empowerment, the employees of the company did not extensively employ rich technologies to assist with the culture's discomfort with uncertainty, and so this is expected. In the United States company which had a low state of empowerment, the employees of the company did not extensively employ collaborative technologies to assist with the culture's individualistic nature, and so this is also expected.

Given that the study results give strong support to the suggestions and findings of the literature to date, it would follow that an expansion of Table 3 in this chapter, "Summary of Technology Usage and Empowerment State within Cultural Dimensions", would be possible. In particular, what effects do other cultural dimensions have on empowerment when interacting with other categories of technologies? Only two of Hofstede's dimensions were studied for this research, and only two types of technologies. There are numerous possibilities to consider when contemplating this sort of expansion, and the more that are explored, the more guidelines will be available to persons desiring to make intelligent information technology choices in differing cultural settings.

Subsequent to the literature review originally performed for this study, Jasperson et al. (2002, p. 456) note, "From one perspective, IT may be seen as a driver of change in power structures and processes. Alternatively, the creation and introduction of IT can be seen as a process that involves interested parties intentionally using their power to affect the nature of the systems that are put in place. At a more complex level, expectations regarding changes to power structures and power can serve as an important factor in decisions to adopt, promote, or develop IT even if the actions that result are not themselves particularly power-laden or political." Further, Ryan et al. (2002) demonstrate the importance of culture ("social subsystems") in Information Technology investment decisions. These observations lend additional credence to the findings enumerated herein.

---