I am pleased to announce publication of the

 

Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce

Volume 20, Issue 1

 

This is a very interesting special issue, edited by Fred Neiderman and Jason Thatcher, concentrating on issues pertaining to “Trends in Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce Professionals.”

 

 

*****All that Glitters Is Not Gold: Employee Retention in Offshored Indian Information Technology Services

 

Mohan Thite – Griffith University, Australia

 

Abstract:

Increasing offshoring of customer contact services to destinations such as India is underpinned by the availability of low cost and high quality workforce. But this competitive advantage is under threat with talent shortages, wage increases, and, most importantly, high employee attrition. Based on empirical studies and person-organization fit literature, this paper identifies and addresses some of the key issues and challenges in retaining talent in the Indian business process outsourcing sector, such as pay satisfaction, work organization, employment branding, and longer-term career advancement opportunities. It recognizes the need for multi-pronged retention strategies in a highly competitive, changing, and fast-growing part of the global services sector.

 

 

***** Transferability of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities along IT Career Paths: An Agency Theory Perspective

Choong Kwon Lee – Keimyung University, South Korea

Stephen C. Wingreen – Troy University

 

Abstract

Agency theory is proposed as a framework for explaining the design of IT jobs and career paths. To support this theory, data about knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) were gathered and analyzed from Fortune 500 job listings for the Programmer/Analyst → Systems Analyst → IT Manager career path. The results indicate that agency theory has significant predictive power over the type and importance of IT KSAs for job sequences along IT career paths. The results have implications for both researchers who are looking for theories that explain IT job design and career path development and managers who are challenged with decisions about how to design IT jobs and manage IT career paths.

 

***** An Investigation of the Influence of the IS Context on the Determinants of Turnover Intentions in Korea 

 

Kyootai Lee – Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea

Kailash Joshi – University of Missouri - St. Louis

Mueun Bae – Inha University, South Korea

 

 

Abstract

Management of IS employees' turnover has been one of the important areas of research in the IS discipline. Prior IS studies have focused on personality factors that differentiate IS personnel from non-IS personnel. Unlike prior studies, this study examines job contextual factors that may be salient in IS personnel turnover. Seven variables that have been frequently employed as determinants of turnover intention in prior studies were compared across different job contexts. These seven variables are role conflict, role ambiguity, job alternatives, interpersonal conflict with colleagues within a team, interpersonal conflict with colleagues outside a team, burnout, and career plateau. A total of 209 responses obtained from employees in different job contexts were analyzed. Interestingly, the results reveal that IS and non-IS personnel have statistically similar levels of perceptions on these variables. In addition, we investigated differences between the behavioral models of turnover intention for IS and non-IS personnel. The results indicate that role conflict and interpersonal conflict with colleagues outside a team have a higher influence on turnover intention for IS personnel compared to non-IS personnel. Based on the results, the paper discusses the implications of the findings and provides directions for future research.

 

 

***** Potential Absorptive Capacity of State IT Departments: A Comparison of Perceptions of CIOs and IT Managers

Cynthia K. Riemenschneider – Baylor University

Myria W. Allen – University of Arkansas

Deborah J. Armstrong – Florida State University

Margaret F. Reid – University of Arkansas

 

Abstract

Public sector information technology (IT) departments are facing a myriad of challenges (e.g., budget cuts, service expansions, and political turmoil) in addition to the constant and rapid technological changes facing private sector firms. One way to meet these challenges may be through the development of the organization's absorptive capacity. Absorptive capacity refers to an organization's ability to recognize the value of new information, assimilate it, and use it to address organizational challenges associated with external change [6]. Few researchers have focused on absorptive capacity in public sector organizations. The purpose of this research is to ascertain how state IT departments, specifically Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and IT managers, view their external environment and their departments' ability to absorb new information.

The findings are derived from a national survey of state IT departments in the United States and indicate that for CIOs and IT managers the external environment and organizational culture are significant in predicting potential absorptive capacity. These variables are significant for the IT managers as a group, but for the CIOs as a group, only external environment is significant. These findings may be used by state IT management to increase the organization's ability to be aware of, identify, and take effective advantage of new knowledge and innovative technologies.

 

 

***** A Study of Work-Family Conflict among IT Professionals: Job Characteristics, Individual Values, and Management Practices 

 

Michael Dinger – Clemson University

Jason Bennett Thatcher – Clemson University

Lee P. Stepina – Florida State University

 

Abstract

In this study, we develop a model that explains the work-family conflict experienced by IT professionals. We propose two major sources of work-family conflict: the structure of work and individual mindsets toward work. Furthermore, we examine beliefs about the employer that can diminish work-family conflict. We test our hypotheses using data gathered from 126 IT professionals. Our model explains more than 45% of the variance in work-family conflict. Our findings suggest: (1) skill variety requirements increase work-family conflict, (2) work ethic positively relates to work-family conflict, (3) leisure ethic negatively relates to work-family conflict, and (4) professionalism has mixed effects on work-family conflict. Finally, we found that when IT professionals perceive high levels of job security and are satisfied with supervision, work-family conflict diminishes. The study concludes with implications for research and practice.

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For further information about JOCEC, including abstracts for prior issues and submission guidelines, please see:

 

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=g919307726

 

Please consider the Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce as a possible outlet for your own very best original research dealing with multiparticipant digital systems.

 

 

Clyde W. Holsapple

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce

Gatton College of Business and Economics

University of Kentucky