Even in the fast-paced and forward-thinking field of Information Technology, there is still a significant underrepresentation of women in the workforce. There is significant amounts of research being poured into this gender discrepancy. Sylvia Beyer wrote an article titled “Gender Differences and Intra-Gender Differences amongst Management Information Students,” published in the Fall 2008 issue of Journal of Information Systems Education. Ms. Beyer examines the reasoning for a significant underrepresentation of women in Management Information Systems. She relates the gender discrepancy in the workforce directly to a very small representation of women in MIS higher education programs. From my perspective, I firmly believe that this analysis is accurate, and that this inequity of gender representation among the IT workforce is derived from a gender imbalance in higher education programs.
How does a substantial lack of women in the higher education IT programs affect the industry as a whole? “Women’s underrepresentation in MIS should be of concern for several reasons,” states Beyer. “The most pragmatic reason is a potential labor shortage problem as IT is projected to experience rapid growth through 2014.” A workforce of men alone cannot sustain the labor demands placed on the exponential growth in the IT industry. Utilizing women to fill the plethora of employment demands is not only desired, it is crucial to the future of the industry. Since the success of other business functions depends on IT, a capable and balanced workforce is needed more than ever.
Now, with the economic stability of America in serious question, labor trends predicting the IT industry job growth in 2014 may be altered. It's still very unclear as to whether the lasting affects of the poor economy will have a stronghold on IT employment.
Still anticipating an upcoming labor shortage for the industry, the demand to resolve such gender-based issues is increasing at an alarming rate. The focus to determine the reasoning behind such underrepresentation of women is at the forefront. Ms. Beyer specifically points to higher education as the reasoning behind the representation problems in the workplace. In her article, Only 33.2 percent of Bachelor’s degrees in MIS are conferred on women, which significantly reduces the number of women therefore capable of entering the IT workforce. Due to the recent discovery of the problem and potential causes, research on gender issues in MIS is underdeveloped, and focuses on the workforce instead of higher education.
According to several research studies referenced, it is first needed to understand the male MIS students and their tendencies in comparison with other majors and academic programs. Several variables are mentioned that come into observation when identifying the cause of a gender divide in higher-education MIS programs. These variables include instructor experiences, values and stereotypes, technology self-efficacy and experience, and role models and encouragement.
Beyer’s evidence presented in her article aligns directly with my observations on nearly all points mentioned, including self-efficacy, experience, role models, values and stereotypes, and previous experiences. It is not simply one area of influence that influences the gender misrepresentation in MIS; it is a combination of all areas that has a negative and unfounded consequence on the future of the industry and workforce. Each area of influence has equal importance requires examination and correction to slowly reverse the effects of indirect gender discrimination.
First, from my personal observations in the higher-education setting, I firmly believe that self-efficacy is a major contributing factor in this issue. The male-dominated academic areas of math, engineering, the physical sciences, and computer science can detract women from even entering the program. As Beyer clearly states, “This self efficacy is inaccurately low when compared to their (women’s) actual abilities or performance.”
I had the opportunity to discuss the issue of self efficacy with several of my female colleagues in an MIS environment. Almost all of the discussions about resistance towards an MIS career surrounded this inaccuracy. One colleague even mentioned, “I’m glad I overcame my low self efficacy about IT-related jobs – I honestly believed for a long time that a man could perform the job better.”
Examples of factors such as these (self efficacy, values and stereotypes) are only small examples of indirect “marketing” of an industry to the male gender. In her article, Ms. Beyer clearly charges the industry with researching the foundational reasoning even further. “In order to effect changes in women’s representation in MIS, we need a clear understanding of the reasons for the dearth of women in MIS. Social psychological variables are excellent candidates for factors to be studied because they influence career choices.”
While Sylvia Beyer’s article may not include all of the conclusions and answers needed to reform the gender-stereotypical view of Management Information Systems, her research clearly sounds the alarm for concern. With a large labor demand on the horizon, the industry must move quickly to significantly recruit women into the typically-male-dominated field of MIS.
Want more information on Sylvia Beyer's article? It can be found in the Fall 2008 issue of the Journal of Information Systems Education:
Source: Beyer, Sylvia. "Gender Differences and Intra-Gender Differences amongst Management Information Systems Students." Journal of Information Systems Education 19 (2008): 301-311.
What are your thoughts regarding the gender inequity that still exists in the present day IT industry?
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And what about African
And what about African American's in IT? Or any other race in IT?
MIS can refer to the many varied areas of IT, as can Telecom refer to varied areas, or would you prefer specialties?
Put this in reverse. Why is there a gender differential in the nursing field, that is dominated by women? What about K-6 education? What about daycare providers?
Maybe...just maybe... that males are have a more natural ability towards math and science than women. Pick and choose the research done that shows men are more naturally inclined towards math & science, and women are more naturally inclined towards english & literature.
This does not imply that women are any less intelligent than men. I work with several women in IT, and they are all very intelligent. They just chose to persue a career in IT, instead of other careers.
I had a few women instructors in college who were very intelligent about IT, and I learned alot from them. And I had several male instructors who were completely worthless as instructors.
So why does it really matter that there are more men in IT? The future workforce argument is just speculative at best, or FUD at worst.
Since I can't find this academic article online, and won't readily pay to get a copy, your article being based on your interpretation of the report & your "personal experience" are lacking in authoritative substance.