skip to main content
10.1145/1355238.1355272acmconferencesArticle/Chapter ViewAbstractPublication PagescprConference Proceedingsconference-collections
research-article

Influence of gender on IT professional work identity: outcomes from a PLS study

Published:03 April 2008Publication History

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of gender on the work identity for IT professionals. Work identity directly and indirectly affects job satisfaction and intent to leave the organization. The model is empirically evaluated using the partial least squares technique. Survey data was collected from 240 IT professionals using on-line distribution. The results demonstrate that the work identity of female IT professionals is noticeably different from their male counterparts. Females show a stronger relationship to job satisfaction but a weaker relationship with intent to leave, relative to males in the IT field. Contributions include implications for managers and academic researchers.

References

  1. Agarwal, R., and Ferratt, T. 2000. Retention and the Career Motives of IT Professionals, ACM SIGMIS Conference on Computer Personnel Research, ACM Press, Chicago, Illinois, 158--166. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  2. Ahuja, M. 2002. Women in the information technology profession: A literature review, synthesis and research agenda. European Journal of Information Systems, 11, 20--34.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  3. Alvesson, M. 1998. Gender relations and identity at work: A case study of masculinities and femininities in an advertising agency. Human Relations, 51, 8, 969--1005.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  4. Alvesson, M. 2001. Knowledge work: Ambiguity, image and identity. Human Relations, 54, 7, 863--886.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  5. Ashforth, B. E. 2001. Role Transitions in Organizational Life: An Identity-Based Perspective. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  6. Ashforth, B. E., and Kreiner, G. E. 1999. How can you do it? Dirty work and the challenge of constructing a positive identity. Academy of Management Review, 24, 3, 413--434.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  7. Barclay, D., Thompson, R., and Higgins, C. 1995. The partial least squares (PLS) approach to causal modeling: Personal computer adoption and use as an illustration. Technology Studies, 2, 2, 285--309.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  8. Buche, M. W. 2006. Gender & IT Professional Work Identity. In E. M. Trauth (Ed.), Gender and IT Encyclopedia. University Park, PA: Information Science Publishing, 434--439.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  9. Camp, T. 1997. The incredible shrinking pipeline. Communications of the ACM, 40, 10, 103--110. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  10. Carte, T. A., and Russell, C. J. 2003. In pursuit of moderation: Nine common errors and their solutions, MIS Quarterly, 27, 3, 479--501. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  11. Chin, W. W. 1998. The Partial Least Squares Approach to Structural Equation Modeling. In G. A. Marcoulides (Ed.), Modern Methods for Business Research, Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum Associates, 295--336.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  12. Chin, W. W. 2000. Frequently asked questions - partial least squares & PLS-Graph. Retrieved 1 November 2007 from http://disc-nt.cba.uh.edu/chin/plsfaq.htm.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  13. Chin, W. W., and Frye, T. 2001. PLS-Graph version 3.0 (Version 3.0): Soft Modeling, Inc.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  14. Couger, J. D., and Zawacki, R. A. 1978. What Motivates DP Professionals? Datamation, 24, 9, 116--123.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  15. Darais, K. M., Nelson, K. M., Rice, S. C., and Buche, M. W. 2004. Identifying the enablers and barriers of IT personnel transition. In M. Igbaria & C. Shayo (Eds.), Strategies for Managing IS/IT Personnel. Hershey, PA: Idea Group, 92--112. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  16. Duxbury, L. E., and Higgins, C. A. 1991. Gender differences in work-family conflict, Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, 1, 60--74.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  17. Fiol, C. M. 1991. Managing culture as a competitive resource: An identity-based view of sustainable competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17, 1, 191--211.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  18. Fitz-enz, J. 1978. Who is the DP Professional? Datamation, 24, 9, 125--128.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  19. Fornell, C., and Larker, D. 1981. Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18, 3, 39--50.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  20. Gallivan, M. 2003. Examining Gender Differences in It Professionals' Perceptions of Job Stress in Response to Technological Change, ACM Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 10--23. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  21. Hackman, J. R., and Oldham, G. 1976. Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16, 250--279.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  22. Hackman, J. R., and Oldham, G. 1980. Motivation through the design of work. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  23. Herzberg, F. 1966. Work and the Nature of Man. Cleveland: World,Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  24. Hogg, M. A. 1992. The social psychology of group cohesiveness: From attraction to social identity. New York: New York University Press,Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  25. Hogg, M. A., and Terry, D. J. 2000. Social identity and self-categorization processes in organizational contexts. Academy of Management Review, 25, 1, 121--140.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  26. Igbaria, M., and Greenhaus, J. H. 1992. Determinants of MIS Employees' Turnover Intentions: A Structural Equation Model. Communications of the ACM, 35, 35--49. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  27. Igbaria, M., and Guimaraes, T. 1993. Antecedents and Consequences of Job Satisfaction among Information Center Employees. Journal of Management Information Systems, 9, 145--174. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  28. Igbaria, M., and Guimaraes, T. 1999. Exploring Differences in Employee Turnover Intentions and Its Determinants Among Telecommuters and Non-Telecommuters. Journal of Management Information Systems, 16, 147--164. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  29. Igbaria, M., and Siegel, S. R. 1992. The reasons for turnover of information systems personnel. Information & Management, 23, 321--330. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  30. Igbaria, M., Greenhaus, J. H., & Parasuraman, S. 1991. Career Orientations of MIS Employees: An Empirical Analysis. MIS Quarterly, 15, 2, 151--169. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  31. Leidner, R. 1991. Serving hamburgers and selling insurance: Gender, work, and identity in interactive jobs. Gender and Society, 5, 2, 154--177.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  32. Melymuka, K. 2000. Glass ceilings & clear solutions. Computerworld, 34, 22, 53.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  33. Melymuka, K. 2004. Introverted Technologists, Computerworld.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  34. Morgan, D. 1992. Discovering men. London: Routledge.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  35. Pausch, R. 2005. Immersed in the Future: Randy Pausch on the Future of Education, Ubiquity. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  36. Petter, S., Straub, D., and Rai, A. 2007. Specifying formative constructs in information systems research, MIS Quarterly, 31, 4, 623--656. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  37. Quesenberry, J. L., and Trauth, E. M. 2007. What Do Women Want?: An Investigation of Career Anchors among Women in the IT Workforce, ACM Press, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 122--127. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  38. Sumner, M., Yager, S., and Franke, D. 2005. Career Orientation and Organizational Commitment of IT Personnel, ACM Press, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 75--80. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  39. Tajfel, H., and Turner, J. C. 1986. The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior. In S. Worchel & W. G. Austin (Eds.), The Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Chicago: Nelson-Hall.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  40. Tapia, A. H., and Kvasny, L. 2004. Recruitment is Never Enough: Retention of Women and Minorities in the IT Workplace. ACM Press, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 84--91. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  41. Thatcher, J. B., Stepina, L. P., and Boyle, R. J. 2002-03. Turnover of information technology workers: Examining empirically the influence of attitudes, job characteristics, and external markets. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19, 231--261. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  42. Trauth, E. M. 2002. Odd Girl Out: An Individual Differences Perspective on Women in the IT Profession, Information Technology and People 15, 2, 98--118.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  43. Trauth, E. M., Quesenberry, J. L., and Morgan, A. J. 2004. Understanding the Under Representation of Women in IT: Toward a Theory of Individual Differences, ACM SIGMIS Conference on Computer Personnel Research, ACM Press, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 114--119. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  44. Turner, J. C. 1987. Rediscovering the Social Group: A Self-Categorization Theory. New York: Basil Blackwell.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  45. Vehvilainen, M. 2000. Understanding of gender and information technology. In C. Mortberg (Ed.), Where do we go from here? Feminist Challenges of Information Technology, North Karelia, Finland, 17--37.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  46. Verton, D. 2004. Anything but IT, Computerworld. DOI= http://www.computerworld.com/careertopics/careers/story/0,10801,97839,00.htmlGoogle ScholarGoogle Scholar
  47. Wallace, M. 2003. Policy and Organisational Discourses: Identities offered to Women Workers. Equal Opportunities International, 22, 1, 50--76.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  48. Weinberg, G. M. 1971. The Psychology of Computer Programming. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library

Index Terms

  1. Influence of gender on IT professional work identity: outcomes from a PLS study

    Recommendations

    Comments

    Login options

    Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.

    Sign in

    Full Access

    • Published in

      cover image ACM Conferences
      SIGMIS CPR '08: Proceedings of the 2008 ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on Computer personnel doctoral consortium and research
      April 2008
      195 pages
      ISBN:9781605580692
      DOI:10.1145/1355238

      Copyright © 2008 ACM

      Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

      Publisher

      Association for Computing Machinery

      New York, NY, United States

      Publication History

      • Published: 3 April 2008

      Permissions

      Request permissions about this article.

      Request Permissions

      Check for updates

      Qualifiers

      • research-article

      Acceptance Rates

      Overall Acceptance Rate300of480submissions,63%

    PDF Format

    View or Download as a PDF file.

    PDF

    eReader

    View online with eReader.

    eReader