| During the past decade, Internet usage has grown rapidly in the public sector. Today, public sector managers have more information and tools available to them via the Internet than ever before. Recent studies have shown how the Internet exerts a positive influence upon managerial decision-making. However, there is a gap in the current body of knowledge regarding how Internet usage skills and organizational policy for Internet usage impacts managerial decision-making effectiveness in the public sector. This research study investigates the relationship between an individual's Internet usage skills, an organization's support for Internet usage and the decision-making effectiveness of managers in the public sector.; For this study, one hundred and sixty-two managers within thirty-four agencies of the District of Columbia, the capital city of the United States, participated in this research effort. This study adopted a non-experimental, correlational research method using an established survey instrument. Quantitative data analysis techniques are employed to assess the problem area, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.; The findings of this research show that a positive, linear relationship exists between an individual's Internet usage skill and an organization's facilitating conditions for Internet usage with managerial decision-making effectiveness. Seven distinct Internet usage skills were identified that have the strongest impact upon managerial decision-making effectiveness in the public sector. Additionally, the more strategic the management position is within the organization, the greater the impact these usage skills have upon decision-making effectiveness. While no conclusive relationship was identified between an organization's Internet management policy and managerial decision-making effectiveness, a correlation was identified between an organization's Internet management policy and the facilitating conditions for Internet usage. This finding provides a fertile ground for future research efforts.; The Internet continues to provide great value for managers in the public sector. Over time, it is anticipated the Internet will continue to evolve, generating new functions capable of providing an even greater impact on managerial decision-making. Future researchers should monitor this situation and work closely with public sector managers to fully capitalize upon these developments. |
