Expectation from Technology and Career Satisfaction: A study among IT Professionals in India

Abstract

Technology is an integral part of the work life of any information technology (IT) professional. However, the influence of technology on career related outcomes of IT professionals is at best limited. Using the P-E fit perspective, the present study investigated the implications of the perceived fit/ misfit between the expected and the experienced career growth and work-life balance from the technology the IT professionals are working in on their career satisfaction. Based on response surface methodology and polynomial regression analysis of the data collected from 286 IT professionals, the study found that not only the fit, but also the misfit between expected and experienced technology led career growth and work-life balance is important in explaining career satisfaction. Implications of the study for both research and practice were discussed.