Potential effects of outsourcing information technology (IT) on cultural norms, values, and beliefs: An ethnographic study of a community of IT management professionals

An ethnographic study of a community of information technology (IT) professionals was conducted to identify the group's cultural characteristics in terms of norms, values, and beliefs; determine the potential effects of IT outsourcing on these cultural characteristics; and, from a constructivist, interpretive, and humanistic perspective, interpret meanings from the perspective of the participants. The study provides an argument supporting the use of qualitative research methods to address culturally-based organizational issues and technology-based phenomena.;The theoretical framework used included systems theory and organizational culture theory. When IT, or an aspect of IT such as outsourcing, is viewed as a system within an environment consisting of a culture, systems theory facilitates an analysis of the interrelationship of IT to the culture and its sub-elements in terms of inputs, transformations, and outputs.;The culture of IT professionals was described as elitist and exclusionary, valuing technical knowledge. From an etic rather than emic perspective, the culture views others who do not possess high levels of technical skills as uninformed. The culture views technical knowledge as essential to organizational success. It believes in a strong work ethic, and values the ability to work and make decisions independently. It is highly competitive. Norms include the constant acquisition of technical knowledge, often through self-learning. Story telling is used to articulate technical knowledge and transfer cultural values. Members of the community view individuals possessing higher levels of technical knowledge as threats, which is a catalyst to learn more. The correction mechanism the culture uses is potential humiliation.;One method of cultural transference and reinforcement is IT outsourcing. From a systems perspective, IT outsourcing represents the input of new technical knowledge into the system and serves to enhance cultural values and prevent entropy. The effects are seen as positive because the input of new knowledge is transformed into outputs of new efficiencies and better systems. It provides a catalyst for raising individual skill levels within the organization's internal IT system. The decision to outsource was based on the need for specialized skills rather than cost reduction.