Exploring Strategies for Retaining Information Technology Professionals: A Case Study

Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 Exploring Strategies for Retaining Information Technology Professionals: A Case Study Shannon J Thomas Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Databases and Information Systems Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks For more information, please contact ScholarWorks@waldenu.edu Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Shannon Thomas has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made Review Committee Dr Patricia Fusch, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr Alexandre Lazo, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr Patsy Kasen, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D Walden University 2015 Abstract Exploring Strategies for Retaining Information Technology Professionals: A Case Study by Shannon J Thomas MS, Troy University, 2006 BS, Albany State University, 1999 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University January 2015 Abstract In the 21st century, retaining information technology (IT) professionals is critical to a company’s productivity and overall success Senior IT leaders need effective strategies to retain skilled IT professionals Guided by the general systems theory and the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the retention strategies used by senior IT leaders in Atlanta, Georgia to retain IT professionals Semistructured interviews were employed to elicit detailed narratives from these IT leaders on their experiences in retaining IT professionals A review of company documents, as well as member-checking of initial interview transcripts, helped to bolster the trustworthiness of final interpretations Those final interpretations included main themes: (a) job-related benefits and compensation; (b) people-related approaches such as promotion, rewards, and recognition; (c) management, organizational, and leadership essentials that include recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees; and (d) barriers, critical factors, and ineffective strategies affecting the retention of IT professionals By implementing supportive management practice and encouraging employees to embrace the organization culture, company leaders can succeed in retaining key IT staff These findings may influence social change by uncovering strategies to retain IT professionals within the company and help IT professionals understand leaders’ retention strategies Exploring Strategies for Retaining Information Technology Professionals: A Case Study by Shannon J Thomas MS, Troy University 2006 BS, Albany State University, 1999 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University January 2015 Dedication To my Lord and Savior and the only Son of God, Jesus Christ, this is for your glory I dedicate this research project to Larry, Victoria, and Caleb We believe, and we can achieve greater things than ever before Acknowledgments The completion of this doctoral study would not be possible without the support of so many people I would first like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the strength, determination, and desire to be all that he has created me to be I would like to offer a special thanks to my husband and children for their continued support and sacrifice during this journey To Willie and Beverly Metts, only you know all the sacrifices you made to help me achieve such a goal, today is for you To Shirley Gooden, no words can express my gratitude for your love, encouragement, and support I hope that this achievement compensates for the trouble you endured because of me I would like to acknowledge my amazing committee, Dr Patricia Fusch, you are simply amazing, and my success is a reflection of your knowledge and commitment Dr Alexandre Lazo and Dr Patsy Kasen, thank you for your support and expertise To Dr Gene Fusch and Dr Freda Turner thanks for believing in my work and working with me until to end, both of you make Walden University a great institution of higher learning Special thanks to my peers and encouragers Dr Alvin Perry, Dr Noah Shannon, Dr Jonathan Jenkins, and Dr Cantice Green for your support and assistance In addition, I would like to thank Dr Cheryl McMahan and Dr David Moody for assisting me along the way Special thanks to my siblings and family In addition, thank you Ausha Jackson, Fanee Johnson, the HUB, Harriette Haynes, Hortense Jackson, Michelle Mirzaiee, Alpha Sigma Upsilon, and host of friends and supporters for your encouraging words and prayers Table of Contents List of Tables .v Section 1: Foundation of the Study Background of the Problem Problem Statement Purpose Statement Nature of the Study Research Question Demographic Questions Interview Questions Theoretical or Conceptual Framework von Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory Bass’s Transformational Leadership Theory Definition of Terms 10 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations 12 Assumptions 12 Limitations 12 Delimitations 12 Significance of the Study .13 Contribution to Business Practice 13 Implications for Social Change 14 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature 14 i The IT Workforce 16 Turnover in IT 17 Cost of Turnover 18 Research on Retention 20 Retention of IT Professionals 23 Retention Strategies 25 Transformational Leadership 36 Organizational Culture in General Systems 42 Transition and Summary 46 Section 2: The Project 49 Purpose Statement 49 Role of the Researcher 50 Participants 51 Research Method and Design 53 Method 54 Research Design 55 Population and Sampling .58 Ethical Research 60 Data Collection 61 Instruments 62 Data Collection Technique 63 Data Organization Techniques 65 ii Data Analysis Technique .66 Demographic Questions 66 Interview Questions 67 Reliability and Validity 71 Reliability 71 Validity 72 Transition and Summary 73 Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change 75 Overview of Study .75 Presentation of the Findings .77 Demographic Characteristics of the Participants 78 Emergent Theme: Essential Strategies for Company Leaders to Retain IT Professionals 79 Emergent Theme: Most Effective Strategies for Retaining IT Professionals 87 Emergent Theme: Management, Organizational, and Leadership Essentials for Retaining IT Professionals 93 Emergent Theme: Barriers, Critical Factors, and Ineffective Strategies Affecting the Retention of IT Professionals 98 Applications to Professional Practice 104 Implications for Social Change 106 Recommendations for Action 107 Recommendations for Further Study 108 iii ... Strategies for Retaining Information Technology Professionals: A Case Study by Shannon J Thomas MS, Troy University, 2006 BS, Albany State University, 1999 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment... social change by uncovering strategies to retain IT professionals within the company and help IT professionals understand leaders’ retention strategies Exploring Strategies for Retaining Information. .. IT organizations? What strategies you use that are most effective in retaining IT professionals? What other strategies and leadership characteristics you use that are beneficial in retaining