Recruiters\u27 Perceptions of Information Systems Graduates with Traditional and Online Education

Online education is on the rise as the number of online courses and degrees has increased significantly in recent years. This trend will continue as many institutions incorporate online studies as part of redesigning and making changes to their curricula. As a result, an increasing number of graduates with a significant part of their education completed online will start to appear in the job market. However, it remains unclear how these graduates are regarded within the job market, compared to their counterparts with strictly traditional studies. To investigate this issue, we presented a set of vignettes describing hypothetical Information Systems (IS) graduates to 82 IS professionals with recruitment experience to ascertain whether an IS graduate’s education mode (online versus traditional studies) influence their employment judgments. The findings did not support the notion that an IS graduate’s education mode was an important consideration to recruiters. In contrast, other factors included in the vignettes, such as work experience and academic performance were more salient to recruiters. Overall, our findings agree with the viewpoint that online education is evolving into a viable alternative to traditional education, with ‘other factors’ dominating perceptions of IS graduate attractiveness

Redesign of a Master\u27s in Information Systems Curriculum: The Influence of Global Sourcing

We present a case study of a successful response to outsourcing, and IS job and enrollment declines through an IS curriculum redevelopment in a business school. First, we examine literature on outsourcing/offshoring phenomenon and on IS curricular redesign. A conceptual framework is presented that is useful in understanding the role of global collaborative group projects for learning about outsourcing in the IS graduate curriculum. A case study of one approach to an IS graduate curriculum redesign is then presented. The case examines the results of a survey of IT executives that informed the design of the curriculum. The case study curriculum is compared to the MSIS 2006 national model, and results are interpreted from prior literature and workforce trends

IS Staffing During a Recession: Comparing Student and IS Recruiter Perceptions

The current economic situation in the United States has associated ramifications for IS employment. This study identifies IS recruiters’ perceptions vis-à-vis IT budget cuts and layoffs at their organizations. Additionally, it identifies IS student perceptions vis-à-vis employment opportunities and academic preparation. Similar surveys were completed by 232 IS recruiters and 182 IS students. Consistent with prior research, findings indicate that IS budgets are expected to decrease less than overall organizational budgets. Although IS students were optimistic about internship and employment opportunities; IS recruiters expressed more caution, suggesting no changes or decreases in employment opportunities. IS recruiters and students provided suggestions for curricular redesign due to the recession. The results of this study are discussed in terms of advising students and improving IS programs

A three-part intersection of psychology and information systems

Classically, management information systems has been seen as the intersection of two factions within the firm: the technology workers and management. Those in management information systems were tasked with providing a means of communication between these distant groups that would enable synergy within the organization. To do this, management information systems professionals have a need to understand behavioral aspects of individual psychology. This research examines the intersection of information systems and three areas of psychology: personality, counseling, and social. Three separate papers examine a specific research question within each of these separate areas. The first paper investigates the influence of personality and cognitive style on the preference for individuals to work in virtual teams. The second paper explores the drivers of interest and intention to major in information systems. Finally, the third paper analyzes the impact of impressions with regard to mobile users of technology. Together, these papers provide an interesting cross-section of work within information systems across differing areas of psychology

Modelling IT student retention at Taiwanese higher education institutions

The purpose of this study is to expand the understanding of IT student retention in Taiwan. Three objectives are proposed: (a) to identify at-risk students who are most likely to drop out; (b) to model Information System (IS) student retention; and (c) to inform intervention programs for at-risk students. The significance of this study is in serving to better inform faculties, staff and administrators of higher education institutions in turn to help strengthen the retention of IT students. In seeking to identify at-risk students most likely to drop out, two sets of secondary data were analysed. Both datasets included students’ demographic and academic performance variables, which were drawn from the student information systems of the institutions used in this study. The first dataset consisted of all-year level students who enrolled in the period 2003 to 2005. Logistic regression and Support Vector Machine (SVM), a type of machine learning technology, were used to classify at-risk students. The second dataset only included first-year students who enrolled in 2006. Logistic regression models were built to determine the significant predictors on attrition. A further two analytical steps were utilised in modelling IS student retention. Prior to building this model, the psychological factor of ‘self-efficacy’ in IT students was first examined. We introduced self-efficacy, a psychological factor that affects students’ academic outcomes, as a new factor to be incorporated into Tinto’s theory—a well-known framework in student retention research. Data gathered from a Taiwanese national survey conducted in 2005 was used. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyse the interaction effects between academic integration and self-efficacy. The independent variables were institution type and students’ study major/discipline. Once the effect of the psychological factor on IT students was recognised, an IS student retention model was built corresponding to the factor of self-efficacy. A modified version of Tinto and Bean’s integrated model of student retention was adopted to investigate IS students in private higher education institutions in Taiwan. Tinto and Bean’s models are well respected in the area of retention research. A questionnaire survey was carried out in six private institutions. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the parameter estimates of the measurement and structural models of the hypothesised model. In addition, face-to-face interviews were conducted to confirm the results of the SEM. Recommendations on improving student retention were obtained by using a qualitative approach. A face-to-face interview method was used to inform intervention programs for at-risk IS students. Sixteen students studying the IS discipline and four academic staff members were recruited randomly and interviewed, so that more detailed information on student retention could be gathered. The results of the research indicate that self-efficacy, commitment to goals linked to achieving the degree, and academic integration were the major contributing factors impacting on retention decisions. The limited resources dedicated to intervention strategies should focus on these students. Suggested interventions include teaching strategies aimed at improving an individual’s self-efficacy and academic performance, and career development advice aimed at enhancing their commitment to goals