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Early determinants of women in the IT workforce: a model of girls' career choices

Monica Adya (College of Business, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA)
Kate M. Kaiser (College of Business, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA)

Information Technology & People

ISSN: 0959-3845

Article publication date: 1 September 2005

6237

Abstract

Purpose

To develop a testable model for girls' career choices in technology fields based on past research and hypotheses about the future of the information technology (IT) workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

Review and assimilation of literature from education, psychology, sociology, computer science, IT, and business in a model that identifies factors that can potentially influence a girl's choice towards or against IT careers. The factors are categorized into social factors (family, peers, and media), structural factors (computer use, teacher/counselor influence, same sex versus coeducational schools), and individual differences. The impact of culture on these various factors is also explored.

Findings

The model indicates that parents, particularly fathers, are the key influencers of girls' choice of IT careers. Teachers and counselors provide little or no career direction. Hypotheses propose that early access to computers may reduce intimidation with technology and that same‐sex education may serve to reduce career bias against IT.

Research limitations/implications

While the model is multidisciplinary, much of research from which it draws is five to eight years old. Patterns of career choices, availability of technology, increased independence of women and girls, offshore/nearshore outsourcings of IT jobs are just some of the factors that may be insufficiently addressed in this study.

Practical implications

A “Recommendations” section provides some practical steps to increase the involvement of girls in IT‐related careers and activities at an early age. The article identifies cultural research as a limitation and ways to address this.

Originality/value

The paper is an assimilation of literature from diverse fields and provides a testable model for research on gender and IT.

Keywords

Citation

Adya, M. and Kaiser, K.M. (2005), "Early determinants of women in the IT workforce: a model of girls' career choices", Information Technology & People, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 230-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/09593840510615860

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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