Person-technology Fit and Work Outcomes: A Study among IT Professionals in India

Abstract

The present study contributes to individual level information systems research by addressing an important and yet unanswered research question. The present study is a part of a large study conducted to explore and understand impact of technology allocation among Indian IT professionals. In the first part of the study we conducted a qualitative study based on grounded theory methodology. Our findings suggest that technology allocation might contribute in understanding the behaviour of IT professionals. We found that IT professionals evaluate the technology allocated to them on dimensions such as career consequences; however their evaluation is affected by individual level preferences. This evaluation, either positive or negative, influences their job outcomes. Further, we explored the factors that make a technology preferable to others and explicated relevant technology characteristics for IT professionals. Considering the relationship between individual preferences and technology characteristics, we have employed PE fit theory as an overarching theory to explore the phenomenon. Based on the findings of first part of the study and synthesis of literature we proposes a new construct, “Person technology fit” which is hypothesized to affect career satisfaction and turnover intention. Polynomial regression analysis and response surface method is used for data analysis as they are suggested to be an appropriate tool for fit studies in extant literature. Based on data collected from 386 IT professionals working in Indian IT organizations, person technology fit was related to career satisfaction and turnover intent.