A qualitative study of the occupational subculture of information systems employees in organizations

ABSTRACT

Information Technology (IT) facilitates the effective functioning of most organizations. Individuals who support IT are an important facet to an organization. In the present study, we interviewed these individuals as well as other employees to identify their responsibilities, intra-group and inter-group communication. We used Trice's occupational subculture framework to look at the intrinsic differences among subcultures and its members. The results of our study suggest that conflicts arise from differences within members of subcultures. Observed situations of adaptation between occupational subcultures represent an example for remedy to rectify this conflict crisis.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.7 THE COMPUTING PROFESSION
      K.7.2 Organizations

General Terms:
Human Factors

Keywords:
IT professionals, IT workforce, collaboration, cultural conflict in organizations, information systems employees, occupational subcultures