Technology Motivators and Usage in NotforProfit Arts Organizations

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Technology Motivators and Usage in Not-for-Profit
Arts Organizations

• April 30, 2007
• Final Presentation
• Carnegie Mellon University

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Agenda

• Project Description
• Methodology
• Analysis
• Case Study Overviews
• Decision-Making Model
• Key Insights
• Conclusions
• Recommendations for Further Research
• Questions

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Introduction

• This study investigates the motivations behind
  the information technology decisions within arts
  organizations.
• Why do some arts organizations excel at using
  information technologies to support institutional
  objectives?

• This study investigates the motivations behind
  the information technology decisions within arts
  organizations.
• Why do some arts organizations excel at using
  information technologies to support institutional
  objectives?

• This study investigates the motivations behind
  the information technology decisions within arts
  organizations.
• Why do some arts organizations excel at using
  information technologies to support institutional
  objectives?

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Methodology

• To examine a broad range of performing and visual
  arts organizations in the Pittsburgh region and
  develop qualitative case studies.
• Case Study
• Interviews
• Survey Instruments
• Data Analysis
• Document Financial Review
• Content Analysis

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Research Partner Organizations
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Technologies in Use
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Framework Decision-Making Model

• Crisis
• Problem
• Opportunity

• Project
• Strategy
• Plan

Motivators

• research and planning
• personnel involvement
• training and education

• implementation
• actions taken

• evaluation
• feedback

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Decision-Making Model External Motivators

• Financial Mandates
• Foundations
• Social Mandates
• Partnerships Collaborations
• Physical Plant Mandates
• Advantages or Limitations of Facilities

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Decision-Making Model Internal Motivators

• Mission, Vision and Values
• Technology decisions are framed by the holistic
  vision of the organization

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Childrens Museum Values Drive Technology
Leadership

• One out of six of Childrens Museums strategies
  address an action to improve technology through a
  five-year technology master plan

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Childrens Museum Range of Software Program
Usage
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Diversified Software
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Key Insights from Motivators

• Hunch vs. Crunch
• Awareness illuminates decisions
• Staff empowerment changes attitudes
• Leadership drives satisfaction
• Satisfaction removes barriers
• Evaluation refines decision-making

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Key InsightsHunch vs. Crunch

• Imitative Decision Making
• Organizations in the Sample frequently chose to
  execute or adapt a decision previously
  implemented by a similar organization
• Data-driven decisions
• Successful technology adoption occurred in the
  Sample most frequently when organizations devote
  time and resources to understanding which
  solution best suited their individual needs

• Imitative Decision Making
• Organizations frequently chose to execute or
  adapt a decision previously implemented by a
  similar organization
• Technological Imperative
• Attributes and buzz motivate adoption

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Key InsightsHunch vs. Crunch

• Imitative Decision Making
• Organizations in the Sample frequently chose to
  execute or adapt a decision previously
  implemented by a similar organization
• Data-driven decisions
• Successful technology adoption occurred in the
  Sample most frequently when organizations devote
  time and resources to understanding which
  solution best suited their individual needs

• Data-driven decisions
• Engaging in research and planning increases
  satisfaction with technology adoption

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Key Insights Awareness illuminates decisions

• Arts organizations are limited by their knowledge
  of available technology options

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Key Insights Staff empowerment changes attitudes
DiMaggio, Paul, Eszter Hargittai. From the
Digital Divide to Digital Inequality
Studying Internet Use as Penetration Increases.
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Key InsightsLeadership drives satisfaction

• When leadership communicates technology
  objectives, staff feel more capable to take on
  new technology challenges

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Key InsightsSatisfaction removes barriers

• Satisfaction with technical support can remove
  staff perception of knowledge as a barrier toward
  adopting new technologies

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Key InsightsEvaluation refines decision-making

• When important decisions involve an initial
  commitment of resources followed by failure,
  organizations frequently invest extra effort and
  extend financial commitments to save the failed
  venture.

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Conclusions Recommendations

• Planning
• Integrate technology goals into strategic vision
• Choose Information Technology to fit the needs of
  the organization
• Formalize technology plan by incorporating
  responsibilities into existing job descriptions
• Incorporate estimated technology expenses into
  the annual budget and capital campaigns

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Conclusions Recommendations

• Training
• Fully utilize existing technologies before
  investing in new technologies
• Allocate sufficient resources for technology
  training and support

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Conclusions Recommendations

• Evaluation
• Engage in systematic evaluation throughout the
  decision-making process
• Expand evaluation measures beyond success and
  failure
• Identify positive outcomes and analyze successful
  steps to be able to replicate in the future

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Avenues for Future Research

• Test findings with larger sample
• Include other nonprofit organizations
• Quantify efficacy of technology usage
• Explore the role demographics play in technology
  adoption
• Research devoted to training, how it occurs in
  the arts vs. other nonprofits
• Research exploring relationship between arts
  not-for-profits and consultants is the
  relationship as effective as possible

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Americans for the Arts

• 2007 Annual Convention
• Risk and Reward Balancing Acts in Arts and
  Community
• 1 of 6 proposals accepted from national pool

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Thank you
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Q A
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Thank you