'as You Like I.t.' Occupational Culture and Commitment of New It People: Using Mixed Methodology to Study the Perceptions of New Information Technologists

In today's world, the role of Information Technology (IT) workers has become more critical in the development, acquisition, management, use, support and maintenance of information systems. Unfortunately, in recent years, the general trend in the U. S. has been decreasing enrollment in IT majors, underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities and high turnover intentions in IT occupations. This research study pertains to the cultural factors that influence the adaptation and commitment to the IT occupational culture, especially by underrepresented groups. Results of a previous study suggests that IT professionals indeed occupy a recognizable "IT occupational culture" that crosses and transcends the organizational cultures within which those IT professionals are embedded (Guzman et al., 2008). This study investigated the adaptation to the IT occupational culture as perceived by newcomers in their socialization process. Particularly, the differences of perceptions by gender and ethnicity were examined and reported. This study presents a sequential mixed methodology approach with a qualitative phase (25 interviews) and a survey with 215 participants.