Turnover of information technology professionals: a contextual model

Abstract

This research tests a model of turnover intentions for information technology professionals. The model assumes that information technology professionals work in a dynamic environment that requires continuous updating of skills. Given this environment, it is likely that an individual's growth need strength — defined as the need for challenge and achievements — plays a significant role in influencing turnover intentions. The model, therefore, predicts that growth need strength interacts with job satisfaction to determine turnover intentions. In addition, the model also predicts that the motivating potential score of a job, role ambiguity, and role conflict affect turnover intentions through job satisfaction. The model was tested using data collected from a questionnaire survey. The results support all the hypotheses except the relationship between role conflict and job satisfaction. One important implication of these results is that employers should be cognizant of the joint effects of growth need strength and job satisfaction in designing retention strategies.