Information Technology Sector Research Articles

From Traditional to Challenge-Based Learning: A Case Study

The rapid evolution of the information technology sector necessitates innovative educational methods not only addressing current industry needs but also anticipating future challenges. This study aims to explore the transition from traditional pedagogical approaches to challenge-based learning (CBL) within the context of an undergraduate course, "Ethical, Social and Professional Aspects of IT" (120 participants). It investigates how this methodological shift influences the development strategies of the course and the pedagogical outcomes for students, particularly first-year IT administration and development students engaging in practical group work. Employing a mixed research design, the study gathers data through reflections of the course staff, empirical study with students and analysis of the didactic changes within the course. It evaluates the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) and CBL methodologies in addressing real-world IT ethics, social, and professional challenges with a focus on fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Preliminary findings suggest that CBL not only enhances students' engagement and learning outcomes but also bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical application in the IT sector. The collaboration students provided insights into real-world challenges, improving students’ learning and administrative experiences at the university. Furthermore, the study highlights the advantages of integrating both PBL and CBL to cultivate a more dynamic and responsive educational environment. The shift towards CBL in the "Ethical, Social and Professional Aspects of IT" course at Tallinn University of Technology represents a significant step forward in aligning educational practices with the needs of the contemporary and future IT industry, preparing students for the complexities of the modern workforce, and contributing to a sustainable, innovative, and resilient economy. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts of this pedagogical shift and to refine the methodologies for broader application.

The impact of visionary leadership on product quality from the perspective of quality assurance managers in small and medium-sized companies: the mediating role of continual improvement

PurposeA review of relevant literature supported the need to examine the nature of the relationships (if any) between visionary leadership, continual improvement and product quality. This study examined the relationship between visionary leadership and product quality and investigated the mediating role of continual improvement in the relationship between visionary leadership and product quality.Design/methodology/approachVisionary leadership, continual improvement and product quality were measured through a questionnaire developed based on a theoretical framework derived from the literature and distributed to quality assurance managers in small and medium-sized companies in the engineering, electrical and information technology sectors in Jordan.FindingsThe results indicated that the levels of visionary leadership, continual improvement and product quality are good and more from the perspective of quality assurance managers in these companies. The results also indicated that there is a positive, statistically significant relationship between visionary leadership and continual improvement and between continual improvement and product quality. Moreover, the results indicated that the relationship between visionary leadership and product quality is partially mediated by continual improvement. This indicates that there is a direct, positive and statistically significant relationship between visionary leadership and product quality.Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that examined the relationship between visionary leadership, continual improvement and product quality and investigated the mediating role of continual improvement in the relationship between visionary leadership and product quality. This study concluded that visionary leadership is the driver of all improvement initiatives and activities, which in turn improve the final products. The study contributes to the literature by revealing that visionary leadership leads to continual improvement and thus product quality, supporting the sequential relationship between them. Accordingly, the study provides useful theoretical insights and practical implications.

Relationship between employer branding and employee performance: Mediating and moderating effects of supportive work environment and compensation and benefits

Employer branding is a complex idea that is important in many different industries. It represents a company's ability to attract, engage and retain talent as well as its status as an employer. A strong employer brand transcends industry boundaries to impact the success and sustainability of businesses in today's competitive job market. The authors examined the effect of employer branding on employee performance by mediating and moderating roles of a supportive work environment and compensation and benefits respectively. The authors followed the quantitative methodology with a set of strategies and hypotheses and gathered numerical data. The data were gathered by surveying employees working in information technology sector companies in the city of Bangalore. The data analysis includes descriptive statistics, factor analysis and structural equation modeling analysis using SPSS and IBM AMOS version 28. The Cronbach’s alpha values of the reliability statistics ranged from 0.920 to 0.930 indicating the questionnaire’s internal consistency and reliability. The model fit indices CMIN/DF 1.389, CFI 0.966, GFI 0.952, TLI 0.961, IFI 0.966, NFI 0.904, SRMR 0.060, RMSEA 0.051 and PClose 0.448 indicate an excellent fit of the model. The constructs of compensation and benefits and a supportive work environment partially mediate employee performance through employer branding. The moderator’s supportive work environment strengthens the positive relationship between employee branding and employee performance. Strong employer branding is important for attracting top talent and improving employee performance in various industries but it is especially important in the IT sector.

The Role of Professional Training in Developing Leadership Skills Among Information Technology Sector Employees

As technology advances, the professional world is becoming increasingly competitive. Achieving career success and meeting professional goals now requires both new and seasoned employees to continuously develop their skills and expand their knowledge. This necessity highlights the importance for businesses in the IT sector to expose their employees to professional training programs that enhance leadership skills, ultimately benefiting the organization. The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of professional training on leadership skills development among IT sector employees, focusing on the challenges and benefits identified through a qualitative approach. Data was collected via a survey questionnaire, with responses from 200 participants in Malaysia and India. The findings reveal the impact of professional training for IT employees, particularly regarding the role of training activities in fostering leadership development. This study offers insights and guidance for employees on the advantages and obstacles of pursuing professional training, leading to enhanced leadership capabilities

Sustainable leadership impact on environmental performance: exploring employee well-being, innovation, and organizational resilience

This study investigates the effect of sustainable leadership on environmental performance, specifically examining how employee well-being and innovation mediate this relationship, and how organizational resilience moderates this relationship within the information technology sector in Denmark. Utilizing a cross-sectional design and drawing on sustainable leadership theory and social exchange theory, the research employed PLS-SEM analysis. Hypotheses were tested, exploring the variables’ direct, moderated and mediated relationships. The results support all hypotheses, revealing positive relationships between sustainable leadership and environmental performance, employee well-being, and innovation. Furthermore, employee well-being and innovation mediate the relationship between sustainable leadership and environmental performance. Organizational resilience moderates the association between sustainable leadership and environmental performance. This research offers valuable insights into the dynamics of sustainable leadership in the IT sector, emphasizing its positive impact on environmental performance and organizational outcomes. The study suggests practical implications for leaders and identifies avenues for future research. This study extends the understanding of sustainable leadership by empirically examining its multifaceted impact in the specific context of Denmark’s information technology sector. Incorporating both sustainable leadership theory and social exchange theory enriches the theoretical framework, contributing to the originality of the research.

A Systematic Literature Review of Soft Skills in Information Technology Education.

This research addresses the importance of the soft skills approach, which encompasses problem-solving, collaboration, interpersonal and communication skills for higher education in the information technology (IT) field. IT graduate students continue to face difficulties in meeting the employability criteria of the global information technology sector due to mismatching capabilities, such as the discrepancy between the technical knowledge obtained in academia and the practical skills expected by employers. This systematic literature review used PRISMA guidelines for data collection. Papers were examined using the inclusion-exclusion criteria, which included concentrating on full-text studies about soft skills in higher education published in English between 2018 and 2024. The keywords used by the inclusion and exclusion criteria are soft skills, higher education, university, undergraduate, graduate, IT, information technology, software, computer science, programming, information systems and IS. The SCOPUS search engine platform found 2088 documents, and the (WOS) database obtained 1383 documents. To comprehend the significance of soft skills in the field and its effect on graduates' employability, 69 papers were carefully examined. The rapid change following Industrial Revolution 4.0 has transformed the working environment, challenging new IT graduates to be competent in the working environment. This study highlights the importance of soft skills and self-awareness in university education, revealing that current curricula must adapt to the rapidly changing job market, especially post Industry 4.0. The literature review indicates that despite high technical competence, graduates lack essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, creating a gap between new graduates and industry expectations. Hopefully, this study's results will contribute to understanding the functionality and necessity of soft skills in the behavioral sciences literature. To bridge the skills gap between industry demands and technical proficiency, academic institutions should incorporate creative teaching approaches prioritizing soft skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Universities, recent graduates, and companies must work together to modify courses to meet the needs of a job market that is changing quickly.

Investigate the distinctive link between a balanced scorecard and organizational performance in IT and non-IT sectors

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine how the implementation of a balanced scorecard (BSC) affects business outcomes in both information technology (IT) and non-IT sectors.Design/methodology/approachPartial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesis. A random sample was used to collect 170 responses from the IT companies and 166 from non-IT companies by using the questionnaire method. The questionnaire was distributed to the top- and middle-level managers in Bangalore city, and we used SmartPLS software to explore the relationship between our research constructs.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that a BSC has a significant and positive impact on organizational performance in IT and non-IT sectors. The main distinction in this study is that all BSC perspectives [learning and growth perspective, internal business process (IBP) perspective, customer perspective (CP) and financial perspective (FP)] have a significant, direct and indirect impact on IT companies. On the other hand, solely three BSC perspectives (IBP perspective, CP and FP) have a significant impact on non-IT companies, while learning and growth perspective has an insignificant impact on the FP.Originality/valueThis study provides a critical theoretical and practical contribution of a BSC on business performance in IT and non-IT industries.

Two Energy-Efficient Backhauling Solutions for Small Cell Networks of 5G Using Green Communications

To meet the problem of ever-increasing wireless data congestion, the fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication system is projected to employ tiny cellphone networks for the needs of consumers heavily. One of the most significant elements of 5G networks will be sustainable interactions, as the quantity of power utilized by the information and communication technology (ICT) sector is expected to rise significantly by the end of the century. Therefore, scientists have focused much attention in recent years on developing strategies for designing small cell networks that use electricity optimistically. In addition, service providers need energy-efficient backing-up technologies to aid in using packed tiny cells. This research presents an interaction model that is well-suited to 5G HetNets and has a low power footprint. The model here accounts for an internet connection’s contact and backup portions. We create and present a mathematical framework to calculate the optimum number of tiny mitochondria that need to be maintained active at numerous hours of the day to minimize power consumption while still satisfying quality of service requirements set by customers. Our investigation into the backhaul’s electrical consumption led us to discover and put forward two energy-saving backing-up methods for 5G HetNets. Computer simulations show that the provided sustainable communication framework can reduce energy consumption by as much as 49% compared to the status quo.

Partisan conflict and stock volatility predictability

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of the Partisan Conflict Index (PCI) on stock market volatility within the United States. Results indicate that the PCI is a robust predictor of both in-sample and out-of-sample stock volatility across the aggregate market and most sector-specific markets. Interestingly, the predictive strength of the PCI is pronounced for the aggregate market index and the sectors of utilities, materials, industrials, information technology, energy, telecom services, and consumer discretionary during periods of Republican governance. In contrast, under Democratic governance, the PCI demonstrates significant predictive power in the health care, consumer staples, information technology, and telecom services sectors. These findings contribute novel insights into the stock volatility predictability.

Assessing the conditions to implement innovative activity of technoparks in the field of high technologies

During the restructuring of national technological system, the development of innovations is of particular importance. In this regard, it is important to analyze how economic entities and innovative infrastructure cope with changing internal and external conditions, such as the need for import substitution of high-tech products and replenishment of specialists’ outflow from the information technology sector. The key element of the innovation infrastructure is scientific and industrial technology parks. The article examines the features of the Russian model of technoparks, as well as the factors of their success and lag. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors contributing to and hindering the innovation activity of technopark residents. Using statistical data analysis and spatial network analysis, the paper studies the structure and features of the activities of 12 participants in the state program «Creation of high-tech technoparks in the Russian Federation». The study examines such aspects of technoparks’ activity as the specifics of management companies functioning, ownership structure and geographical localization of resident enterprises, the level of integration of scientific and educational organizations. It determines the results of technoparks activity in the context of long-term effects for the innovation development at regional level. The findings indicate insufficient elaboration of approaches to support collaborative activities between residents, which is an important condition for effective innovation exchange. The results of the study can be used in the development and adjustment of government programs to support the innovation sector.

Examining the impact of digital transformation on HRM practices in Morocco's IT sector

The main goal of this study is to explore the dynamic relationship between digital transformation and Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in Morocco’s growing information technology (IT) sector. This study scrutinizes the impact of digital transformation on key HRM dimensions including recruitment, learning, development and performance appraisal. Employing robust quantitative methods, particularly correlation analysis, this study aims to unravel the intricate connections between various facets of digital transformation and HRM practices. Structured surveys are the vehicles selected for data collection and dissemination among HR professionals and IT employees to provide valuable insights into the strength, direction and statistical significance of the relationships between digital transformation and HRM practices in the unique context of the Moroccan IT landscape. This research enriches academic discourse on the influence of digital transformation on HRM practices. It offers a comprehensive understanding of how digital advancements HR functions in Morocco’s IT sector. Beyond academia, this research provides useful guidance to HR professionals allowing them to improve their plans and optimize digital transformation activities within their organizations.

Factors Affecting Hanoi Students ' Decisions to Choose University to Study Information Technology Major

This study explores the factors influencing Hanoi high school students' decisions to choose a university for studying Information Technology (IT) amidst the rapidly growing IT industry, especially following the 4.0 industrial revolution. The study employs quantitative methods, analyzing a sample of 241 students currently enrolled in IT programs across Hanoi. Key findings reveal that factors such as tuition fees, family recommendations, alumni influence, and university reputation significantly impact students' intentions and decisions. Interestingly, while university reputation positively influences students' intentions, it does not necessarily lead to their final decision to enroll. In contrast, financial considerations and advice from trusted sources play a more pivotal role. Additionally, the study finds that gender and admission scores do not significantly affect the decisionmaking process for these students. The results offer practical insights for universities to refine their recruitment and marketing strategies, ensuring they align with the real-world factors that influence student choice. By understanding these dynamics, universities can better attract and retain students in IT programs, thereby meeting the growing demands of the IT sector

Unpacking the stress-satisfaction-Performance triangle in the it workforce

The booming Information Technology (IT) sector has led to high job stress due to intense workloads and technological changes worldwide. Examining the relationship between job stress, satisfaction, and performance is vital for employee well-being and productivity in IT industry. The primary objective of this research was to analyse how job stress and job satisfaction collectively impact job performance in IT sector employees of Delhi-NCR. IT professionals (n=255) working in service-based company from various roles and experience levels were recruited. Participants' perceived levels of job stress, job satisfaction, and job performance using validated scales. Through statistical analyses, it was observed that higher levels of job satisfaction will be associated with lower job stress and enhanced job performance. Conversely, elevated job stress is expected to correlate with decreased job satisfaction and diminished job performance. The demographic and work-related variables of the study added context to these findings by elucidating personal experiences, working conditions, communication, and contextual factors that may moderate these relationships. By exploring the multifaceted connections between job stress, job satisfaction, and job performance, this study provides a valuable insight that can inform evidence-based practices for fostering healthier and more productive work environments in the IT industry.

Understanding the drivers of innovative work behaviour among millennial employees in India’s IT sector: some exploratory research findings

Purpose The study aims to develop a hierarchical model for innovative work behaviour (IWB) that can capture the complex associations among the factors contributing to IWB within the information technology (IT) sector. To accomplish this, the authors rely on an abductive approach using a graph theoretic model, often called interpretive structural modelling (ISM). Design/methodology/approach After conducting an in-depth literature review and using the Delphi method, the authors identified 12 factors (11 enablers and IWB as an outcome). The authors collected data through the Delphi approach by sending the questionnaire to 11 experts from academia and the IT sector who have extensive experience and knowledge relevant to the study. The authors then used the ISM method to analyse the relationships among these factors and understand their driving forces. Findings Based on the ISM model and the Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement analysis, the authors have identified that inclusive leadership, proactive personality and knowledge creation ability are the variables with strong driving power but weak dependence. Conversely, IWB has strong dependence but weak driving power. These findings suggest that to foster IWB, the organisation should prioritise inclusive leadership, proactive personality and knowledge-creation ability to succeed in challenging times. The study’s findings contribute to the social exchange theory, which explains IWB in a dynamic setting. Additionally, the study helps address the significant concerns that most IT companies face during times of crisis. Practical implications The study provides valuable guidance for managers and policymakers who are grappling with the challenges of improving IWB in the IT sector. This study is particularly relevant as the industry is currently navigating an economic recession and facing intense competition from other tech companies launching new products and services. Originality/value This research holds great significance for top executives, line managers and policymakers in the IT industry. It sheds light on the relevance and importance of various factors facilitating millennials' IWB.

How much is too much? Inter-city brokerage in ICT industry innovation networks

ABSTRACT In today’s world, where global connectivity drives economic growth, it is essential to understand how cities can leverage intercity networks for innovation. This study explores the role of strategic network brokerage in enhancing cities’ innovation performance in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. We propose an inverted U-shaped relationship between inter-city network brokerage and ICT innovation performance, suggesting that optimal brokerage levels can maximize innovation outputs. Furthermore, we anticipate that city ICT specialization and internet maturity will positively moderate this relationship. Our analysis, using negative binomial regression on a panel of 65 cities from 2002 to 2015, largely supports our hypotheses, highlighting that cities with advanced ICT capabilities achieve higher levels of innovation at the same brokerage level. We discuss the implications of these findings for city policymakers and ICT firms.

Work-related boredom, felt deprivation and employee dissatisfaction: is being closer to the leader a bane?

PurposeJob dissatisfaction is a prevalent, yet understudied phenomenon. This study aims to examine the determinants of job dissatisfaction among information technology (IT) professionals. Based on the relative deprivation theory and the social exchange theory, this study examines the complex linkage between work-related boredom, felt deprivation, leader–member exchange and job dissatisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe questionnaire-based survey data were collected from IT professionals working in Bangalore, India. Regression with process macro was used for data analysis.FindingsThis study found the predictors of job dissatisfaction and felt deprivation. It also found the path through which work-related boredom impacts job dissatisfaction (through felt deprivation). Furthermore, it found that the direct effect of boredom on felt deprivation is greater for employees in close relationships with the leader.Research limitations/implicationsJob dissatisfaction is one of the critical factors that has several adverse consequences for individuals and the organization. This study provides the antecedents, explains the path and suggests a boundary condition leading to job dissatisfaction. It further highlights the adverse consequences of work-related boredom on felt deprivation for employees having strong leader–member exchange relationships.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on job dissatisfaction, boredom, felt deprivation and leader–member exchange in the IT sector in an emerging economy. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the early studies that explain the mechanism and the conditions leading to felt deprivation and job dissatisfaction.

Alumina-supported multi-metal catalyst for e-waste management for reclamation of valuable products

ABSTRACT Electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) has increased exponentially due to the humungous growth in the information technology and communication sector. Many multi-metal catalysts are developed by researchers for electronic waste plastic conversion into fuel products and recovery of valuable metals. In the present study, an Alumina-supported catalyst powder with selected transition metals metal oxides was prepared to improve the yield of hydrocarbon liquids. FESEM with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, XRD and laser diffraction particle size analysis were used to characterise catalysts. The shredded e-waste chips to catalyst weight ratio was maintained from 2:1 to 10:1 and studied. The experiments were conducted with a reaction temperature range from 300°C to 500°C. The produced fuel density was 0.88 kg/L, with 0.75 liquid fuel conversion and 71.7% overall liquid fuel yield. The light gas percentage was 4–6%. NMR analysis, bomb calorimetric study and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy of liquid fuel analysis suggest carbon chain compounds of C3–C20 hydrocarbon, indicating a mixture of petrol and diesel-like liquid products. The catalyst can be tuned to improve liquid fuel conversion. The liquid fuel product is promising for fuel use, however, upgrading treatments are needed to meet standard product specifications.

The impact of psychological capital, cognitive diversity and temporal ambidexterity on adaptive performance through innovative work behaviour among IT employees in India

Purpose This study aims to examine how the Information Technology (IT) sector in India is changing sporadically to be relevant to be able to meet the changing demands. Companies are striving hard to be able to leverage any such factor that adds to the competitive advantage needed to survive in this dynamic market. Therefore, an organization has to be able to keep innovation as its primary objective. Design/methodology/approach This study used a cross-sectional research design and the data from 303 IT professionals were used to validate the relationships among psychological capital (PSC), cognitive diversity (COD), temporal ambidexterity (TEA), innovative work behaviour (IWB) and adaptive performance (ADP). Hypotheses testing was done through the SEM and mediation analysis was conducted using bootstrap estimation in SPSS AMOS. Findings The results suggest that PSC significantly affects both IWB and ADP. COD has a significant effect only on IWB. In addition, directly impacts ADP. Mediation analysis indicates that COD has full mediation between the relationship of IWB and ADP, whereas PSC has a partial mediation. However, TEA has no mediation indicating that an employee needs to have support from his organization to be ambidextrous. Originality/value This study shows how significant innovation and IWBs are in the context of the IT sector and how positive thinking, a diverse set of people and the balance between short-term and long-term goals could promote IWBs in an individual leading to better ADP.

The impact of Project Management Offices on organizational performance: a comprehensive review of the literature

In today's dynamic environment, information technology (IT) stands as the cornerstone for organizational success and competitive advantage, with project management playing a crucial role in efficiently deploying IT resources. Recognized across diverse sectors like telecommunications, aerospace, and construction, Project Management Offices (PMOs) facilitate task organization and supervision, whether it is for IT product development, service improvement, system design, or implementing organizational changes. Despite extensive research on the positive impact of PMOs on organizational performance, a significant research gap exists due to the absence of a direct comparison between the influence of PMOs on IT and non-IT industries, indicating the necessity for further investigation in this domain. This study delves into the contribution of PMOs to organizational performance using the Competing Values Framework and evaluates five models and 17 performance metrics within the IT industry and across sectors. When comparing PMO performance, non-IT sectors precede interpersonal relationships, competency-based training, and workplace environment, whereas IT sectors emphasize the knowledge of PMO resource teams, efficient training, technology utilization, and collaboration for project success. Additionally, IT industries underline the role of technology in averting project management failures and prioritizing the punctual delivery of client requirements. These differences highlight the variations in PMO priorities between these industries, underscoring the significance of PMOs in enhancing organizational performance.

Human resource management practices and employee retention: Job satisfaction as a mediator in Malaysia’s information technology (IT) industry

This study investigates the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices on employee retention and job satisfaction within Malaysia’s IT industry. The research centered on middle-management executives from the top 10 IT companies in the Greater Klang Valley and Penang. Using a self-administered questionnaire, the study gathered data on demographic characteristics, HRM practices, and employee retention, with the questionnaire design drawing from established literature and validated measuring scales. The study employed the PLS 4.0 method for analyzing structural relationships and tested various hypotheses regarding HRM practices and employee retention. Key findings revealed that work-life balance did not significantly impact employee retention. Conversely, job security positively influenced employee retention. Notably, rewards, recognition, and training and development were found to be insignificant in predicting employee retention. Additionally, the study explored the mediating role of job satisfaction but found it did not mediate the relationship between work-life balance and employee retention nor between job security and employee retention. The research highlighted that HRM practices have diverse effects on employee retention in Malaysia’s IT sector. Acknowledging limitations like sample size and research design, the study suggests the need for further research to deepen understanding in this area.