Computer Skills Acquisition: A Review and Future Directions for Research

Abstract

This article provides an overview of past research on training employees for computer-mediated work. The article develops theory and propositions concerning the relationships between (a) individual factors, (b) task and person-computer interface, (c) characteristics of training design for the acquisition of computer skills and (d) the learning outcomes, namely the computer skills acquired by the employee. The review of existing research indicates that most studies are based on a narrow disciplinary and methodological focus, thereby ignoring important intervening variables that might help explain learning outcomes. Within the framework presented in this paper several otherfundamental concerns regarding existing research are identified and discussed and propositions forfurther empirical investigations are outlined. This article concludes with projections for the future based on past research and the present research climate.