Abstract
This paper considers issues related to the diversity of the information technology (IT) workforce, inclusive of IT education and the cultural phenomenon that currently exists about Black men's underrepresentation in IT and the degree to which they identify with the IT field within the United States of America. We use autoethnography to examine the insights from the first author's lived experiences and entrance into the IT workforce to identify individual and group themes that exist, relate them to existing literature, and provide evidence of those obstacles being overcome using the Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT. The purpose of this research is to provide a perspective, through an autoethnographic account, and application of theory that highlight factors that support or undermine the achievement of Black men completing IT degrees and entering the workforce. Methodologically, autoethnography has not been widely adopted within the information systems (IS) discipline but we provide evidence that it is a viable approach for discussing lived experiences utilizing an exemplar and supporting research for evaluating autoethnography. As scholars, even those with no direct affiliation with the impacted group, we have a duty to ensure that we are being as inclusive as possible, understand and appreciate the value of diversity, and are taking an active role in cultivating and empowering our students to enter, and remain, in the IT workforce.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 35-51 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Data Base for Advances in Information Systems |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2017 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Management Information Systems
- Computer Networks and Communications
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Black men in IT : Theorizing an autoethnography of a black man's journey into IT within the United States of America. / Curtis, Cain; Trauth, Eileen M.
In: Data Base for Advances in Information Systems, Vol. 48, No. 2, 01.05.2017, p. 35-51.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Black men in IT
T2 - Theorizing an autoethnography of a black man's journey into IT within the United States of America
AU - Curtis, Cain
AU - Trauth, Eileen M.
PY - 2017/5/1
Y1 - 2017/5/1
N2 - This paper considers issues related to the diversity of the information technology (IT) workforce, inclusive of IT education and the cultural phenomenon that currently exists about Black men's underrepresentation in IT and the degree to which they identify with the IT field within the United States of America. We use autoethnography to examine the insights from the first author's lived experiences and entrance into the IT workforce to identify individual and group themes that exist, relate them to existing literature, and provide evidence of those obstacles being overcome using the Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT. The purpose of this research is to provide a perspective, through an autoethnographic account, and application of theory that highlight factors that support or undermine the achievement of Black men completing IT degrees and entering the workforce. Methodologically, autoethnography has not been widely adopted within the information systems (IS) discipline but we provide evidence that it is a viable approach for discussing lived experiences utilizing an exemplar and supporting research for evaluating autoethnography. As scholars, even those with no direct affiliation with the impacted group, we have a duty to ensure that we are being as inclusive as possible, understand and appreciate the value of diversity, and are taking an active role in cultivating and empowering our students to enter, and remain, in the IT workforce.
AB - This paper considers issues related to the diversity of the information technology (IT) workforce, inclusive of IT education and the cultural phenomenon that currently exists about Black men's underrepresentation in IT and the degree to which they identify with the IT field within the United States of America. We use autoethnography to examine the insights from the first author's lived experiences and entrance into the IT workforce to identify individual and group themes that exist, relate them to existing literature, and provide evidence of those obstacles being overcome using the Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT. The purpose of this research is to provide a perspective, through an autoethnographic account, and application of theory that highlight factors that support or undermine the achievement of Black men completing IT degrees and entering the workforce. Methodologically, autoethnography has not been widely adopted within the information systems (IS) discipline but we provide evidence that it is a viable approach for discussing lived experiences utilizing an exemplar and supporting research for evaluating autoethnography. As scholars, even those with no direct affiliation with the impacted group, we have a duty to ensure that we are being as inclusive as possible, understand and appreciate the value of diversity, and are taking an active role in cultivating and empowering our students to enter, and remain, in the IT workforce.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85018681789&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/3084179.3084184
DO - 10.1145/3084179.3084184
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85018681789
VL - 48
SP - 35
EP - 51
JO - Data Base for Advances in Information Systems
JF - Data Base for Advances in Information Systems
SN - 1532-0936
IS - 2
ER -