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Exploring the Retention and Career Persistence Factors of African American Women in Information Technology: A Multiple Case Study

Smith, Angela D
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2046-2571
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1462814233

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Physical Activity and Educational Services.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the occupational experiences of African American women in Information Technology (IT) and the factors that led to their persistence and ultimate retention in the field. Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) provided the framework for exploring both internal and external contextual factors such as self-efficacy, personal goals, and outcome expectations on career development for the women in this qualitative investigation. Using a multiple case study methodology to capture the lived experiences of eleven African American women, the study identified the barriers to career development the women face and the ensuing strategies of persistence they employ to enter and remain in the profession. Data was collected using open-ended, semi-structured questions. Interview transcripts were then analyzed within and across cases to identify related themes. The findings in this study reinforce the similarities that African American women share with their colleagues. For example, IT employees including African American women seek career growth and development, challenging work opportunities, team environment, management they can trust, recognition, autonomy, fair pay and benefits. However, the findings also revealed differences. In order to persist in IT despite the barriers these women demonstrate higher levels of self-efficacy, need to maintain professional development career goals, overcome outcome expectations of gender and racial bias, and proactively seek out early career support through role models and mentors. The findings also indicate that ongoing gender and racial biases continue to act as a catalyst for the low availability of role models. Moreover, isolation from informal networks and concerns over equitable pay and career advancement opportunities are prominent themes. While contextual barriers have some influence on the career interest, goals and actions of the women in this study the greatest influence on their career persistence came from internal influences not explained within the SCCT theory. The emerging themes add depth to the understanding of the construct of persistence within the SCCT theory.
Joshua Hawley (Advisor)
David Landsbergen (Committee Member)
Caroline Wagner (Committee Member)
Christopher Zirkle (Committee Member)
216 p.
African Americans; Gender; Information Technology
Information Technology, Women, African American

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Smith, A. D. (2016). Exploring the Retention and Career Persistence Factors of African American Women in Information Technology: A Multiple Case Study [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1462814233

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Smith, Angela. Exploring the Retention and Career Persistence Factors of African American Women in Information Technology: A Multiple Case Study. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1462814233.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Smith, Angela. "Exploring the Retention and Career Persistence Factors of African American Women in Information Technology: A Multiple Case Study." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1462814233

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1462814233
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© 2016, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Exploring the Retention and Career Persistence Factors of African American Women in Information Technology: A Multiple Case Study by Angela D Smith is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.