Who is "the IT workforce"? Challenges facing policy makers, educators, management, and research

Michelle L. Kaarst-Brown, Indira R. Guzman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite over six decades of research on the role and definition of the IT workforce, there remain numerous, and often contradictory, definitions related to the identity of this group. The IT workforce is made up of IT professionals, computer scientists, software developers, and business professionals trained in MIS, as well as various occupational sub-categories in organizations including programmer, analyst, network specialist, and project manager, to name only a few. Despite this, some researchers, funding organizations, and practitioners refer to the "IT workforce" as if this term represents a homogeneous group of individuals that is clearly defined and understood. Our findings contradict this assumption, and raise a number of challenges for management, researchers, policy makers, educators, and funding agencies. We argue that a clear definition of the IT workforce would assist at all levels, and might bring some additional clarity to training, hiring, and retention issues. Copyright ACM.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSIGMIS CPR'05 - Proceedings of the 2005 ACM SIGMIS CPR Conference
EditorsJ.E. Moore, S.E. Yager
Pages1-8
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2005
EventSIGMIS CPR'05 - 2005 ACM SIGMIS CPR Conference - Atlanta, GA, United States
Duration: Apr 14 2005Apr 16 2005

Publication series

NameSIGMIS CPR'05 - Proceedings of the 2005 ACM SIGMIS CPR Conference

Other

OtherSIGMIS CPR'05 - 2005 ACM SIGMIS CPR Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta, GA
Period4/14/054/16/05

Keywords

  • IT Identify
  • IT Professional
  • Role of IT professionals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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