ASSESSING PROXIMITY TO FRUITION: A CASE STUDY OF PHASES IN CASE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Using the Lewin theory of planned change as a theoretical model, this study tests three hypotheses related to the three phase approach to change. An Action Research Model is used to gather data from 75 participants in CASE technology transfer in the Information Systems Department of a large insurance company. Five groups of people representing management and various levels of CASE usage participated in the study. In addition to group discussion, standardized questionnaires and individual Force Field Analyses are used to collect the data. In general the null hypotheses are rejected. The results appear to support at least three stages of change during CASE technology transfer. The groups differed with respect to content and magnitude of problems in the environment. In addition, during the moving phase it appears users may actually be more disillusioned with the change than non-users, however, the nature of the forces is more personal and indicates that they are personally involved with the move. While these people may be more negative than non-users, they are also moving closer to full implementation than those who have not started the moving process.