Emergence of information technology skill standards: the case of NWCET initiative

This study begins the endeavor to develop a middle range theory on the emergence of computing degree programs by investigating the social interaction factors that influenced the development of information technology (IT) skill standards. The major goal of this study is to identify and describe the social interaction factors that influenced the development of new skill standards for IT degree programs. The initiative to develop new skill standards discussed in this paper was pursued by the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET). To develop the list of factors, documents produced and used during this initiative were examined. The social interaction factors that triggered the development of IT skill standards for two-year and four-year degree programs by NWCET were scrutinized. The method used to investigate this phenomenon was the grounded theory methodology. Interviews were conducted with representatives of NWCET to confirm that the findings reflected their perceptions of the social interaction factors. The four major social interaction factors that were found to influence the development of IT skill standards by NWCET are partnerships, technology worker shortage, mobility, and qualification gap. This list of factors may facilitate cross-organizational learning by organizations interested in future development of skill standards and curricula guidelines.