Gender Gap In Information Technology (It) Majors: A Preliminary Study On Cross-Cultural Perspective

Authors

Pruthikrai Mahatanankoon, School of Information Technology, Illinois State University, USAFollow
Bunthit Watanapa, School of Information Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, ThailandFollow
Sunisa Sathapornvajana, School of Information Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, ThailandFollow

Abstract

Students choose information technology (IT) majors because of three interrelated attributes: personal values, academic reputation, and socio-economical influences. The study proposes that these views explain the gender gap between male and female students in IT majors. By empirically examining these different views through a field survey, our pilot study reveals that Thai female students have higher external locus of control and parental influence, and lower perception of career opportunities. The results may help improve the recruitment strategy and offer ideas to increase female IT students in the United States and Thailand.

Recommended Citation

Mahatanankoon, Pruthikrai; Watanapa, Bunthit; and Sathapornvajana, Sunisa, "Gender Gap In Information Technology (It) Majors: A Preliminary Study On Cross-Cultural Perspective" (2012). PACIS 2012 Proceedings. 153.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2012/153