Information systems employment structures in the USA and Singapore: a cross‐cultural comparison

The traditional view of the employment relationship between the information systems (IS) professional and the employing firm is one where the employee is governed by internal, hierarchical control. However, more recently, there are indications that firms may be adopting external forms of structuring their IS workforce which move away from the traditional internal structure (for example, by outsourcing activities). Proposes different views to explain preferences for external employment relationships: a market perspective which emphasizes economic factors, and a cultural perspective which views organizations as an expression of patterned values. Examines the efficacy of each approach by providing an empirical investigation of the extent to which IS workers are externalized in the USA and Singapore. Results suggest that the USA utilizes more externalized IS employment structures than Singapore. These results are interpreted from both market and cultural perspectives.