Understanding the under representation of women in IT

Abstract

Among the research challenges in studying the under representation of women in the IT field is that of developing appropriate theory to provide a basis for understanding and explanation about this gender imbalance. At present, there are two dominant theories in the gender literature that are used to explain the participation of women in the IT profession. The essentialist perspective dichotomizes gender based upon the presumption of significant inherent differences between women and men. This view finds the causes of gender under representation in biology. The social construction perspective focuses on the social construction of IT as a male domain, which is interpreted as incompatible with the social construction of female identity. This view finds the causes of gender under representation in the IT sector. The research discussed in this paper is directed at the development of a new theory that focuses on individual differences among women as they relate to the needs and characteristics of IT work and the IT workplace. This view finds the causes of gender under representation in the socio-cultural environment that shapes each woman's gender identity and her professional development, and her individual responses to these influences.

How Can Universities Best Encourage Women to Major in Information Systems?

“…According to Trauth, Quesenberry, and Morgan (2004), we might understand female underrepresentation in IS by looking at the "similarities among men and women as individuals, and the variation among members of each gender group with respect to IS skills and the inclination to participate in the IS sector" (Trauth et al, 2004, p. 116). This nascent "individual differences" theory of gender views both "gender" and "IS" as socio-culturally constructed at the individual level.…”

Influencing the Influencers: The Role of Mothers in IT Career Choices

“…This paper reports on a pilot study that aims to investigate the role of mothers in influencing schoolchildren (and particularly daughters) to consider IT as a study and a career option. Drawing on Trauth's Theory of Individual Differences (Trauth, Quesenberry, & Morgan, 2004), this paper details an initiative that examines underlying factors that affect women's participation in IT careers. The theory posits that social shaping of gender and IT operates at an individual level and is influenced by a range of factors such as demographics, personal influences, and cultural attitudes (Trauth et al, 2004).…”

ICTs and the Computerised Hijab: Women's Experiences of ICT in the UAE

“…GROUNDING THE EMERGENT THEORY We now briefly discuss how our emergent theory could be engaged with Individual Differences Theory Trauth, 2006;Trauth et al, 2004). The individual differences theory is comprised of three general constructs that, together, explain women's decisions to enter and remain in the IT field .…”