MISunderstood: A Longitudinal Analysis of Major MISperceptions

Abstract

Low information system (IS) enrollment continues to present a threat to IS programs and pose a serious problem to companies in desperate need of IS professionals. Research attributes low enrollment and the shortage of IS talent to misperceptions about the nature of IS programs, careers, and job prospects. Recent research (Akbulut-Bailey, 2012) suggests that enrollment remains low despite improved perceptions about the IS job market, which raises the question as to whether the misperceptions about IS careers and programs still exist and whether they represent the main factor in why students do not choose the IS field. Using the case study method (Yin 1984), we provide a longitudinal view of the perceptions that students have had about MIS, how they have changed, and ways in which we can meaningfully combat misperceptions.