Graphical user interfaces and ease of use: some myths examined

Authors:
Michael C. Zanino;Ritu Agarwal;Jayesh Prasad
Affiliations:
School of Business Administration, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH;School of Business Administration, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH;School of Business Administration, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
Venue:
SIGCPR '94 Proceedings of the 1994 computer personnel research conference on Reinventing IS : managing information technology in changing organizations: managing information technology in changing organizations
Year:
1994

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Abstract

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are on their way to becoming the most pervasive interface for desktop systems at least partly because of conventional wisdom about their ease of use. Such an assumption may have been kindled by vendors' claims about the inherent usability of such interfaces although previous research on the productivity gains from GUIs has yielded mixed results. This paper reports the results of a field study of 230 users of a popular GUI, Microsoft Corporation's Windows. The study examined Windows' ease of use—an important factor contributing to eventual productivity. The results indicate that contrary to popular belief GUIs are not universally easy to use—certain types of individuals are likely to find them easier to use than others. Organizational roles and management initiatives can also influence perceptions of ease of use. The findings also suggest that ease of use is enhanced through opportunities for self training rather than traditional, formal training.