Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Booysen, Candice
Other Authors: Mathur-Helm, Babita
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2019
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867614119570440192
access_status_str Open Access
author Booysen, Candice
author2 Mathur-Helm, Babita
author_browse Booysen, Candice
Mathur-Helm, Babita
author_facet Mathur-Helm, Babita
Booysen, Candice
author_sort Booysen, Candice
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/106184
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:46:58.390Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2019
publishDateRange 2019
publishDateSort 2019
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/106184 Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa Booysen, Candice Mathur-Helm, Babita Malan, D. J. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. University of Stellenbosch Business School. Labor turnover -- Generation Y -- South Africa Generation Y -- Intention to quit -- South Africa Information technology -- Employees -- Job embeddedness -- South Africa Employee fringe benefits -- Employee attitudes -- South Africa Transformational leadership -- South Africa Human capital -- South Africa UCTD Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2019. ENGLISH SUMMARY : This study is positioned within the emerging field of positive organisational behaviour and explored the relationships between job embeddedness, leadership, human resources (HR) practices, and intention to quit amongst the Generation Y (Gen Y) within the information technology (IT) sector in South Africa. Numerous studies have globally been conducted to gain an understanding of voluntary turnover among Generation Y employees and, although this subject has enjoyed much attention, researchers have not been able to reach consensus about reasons for the intention of Generation Y individuals to quit their jobs, especially in the IT sector. Job embeddedness is a relatively new concept and limited empirical work exists to test its relevance for various workforce populations or cultures, hence the current study explores the role played by embeddedness in the nomological network of antecedents of intention to quit. This theory has not been previously investigated within this specific sample group – the IT sector – or within the South African context. The study utilised a mixed methods approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, employing an interpretivistic and positivistic paradigm for the respective phases. The salient variables identified as antecedents during the qualitative phase (Phase 1) of the research were transformational leadership, job resources, satisfaction with pay, supportive organisational climate and job embeddedness. The data was collected through a purposive sampling method and semi-structured interviews and focus groups. In the subsequent quantitative phase, standardised measuring instruments were used to measure the variables that were identified during the qualitative phase. The initial set of propositions and the proposed conceptual model were revised based on the outcomes of the qualitative phase. The quantitative phase included a pilot study (Phase 2) during which the online questionnaire was tested by making use of the purposive sample of Generation Y employees who were approached during the qualitative phase and who were willing to re-engage voluntarily. Phase 3, as part of the quantitative phase of the study, represents the main study of this research project, in that it aimed at empirically evaluating the measurement model, as well as testing the propositions relating to the proposed structural model. Data was collected through the snowball technique, where Generation Ys who participated in previous phases were asked to refer their colleagues in the software industry. A total of 270 usable questionnaires were collected and statistically analysed. During Phase 3, three models were consecutively subjected to a series of statistical analyses. Each model was evaluated by means of goodness-of-fit statistics (confirmatory factor analysis), exploratory factor analysis appropriate to the nature of the statistical question posed, and path least square (PLS)-based evaluations of the measurement and structural models. A factorially derived model was produced after the series of statistical analyses, which excluded the organisational links sub-construct of job embeddedness and highlighted the need for further development in terms of the measurement model. The constructs identified as antecedents to intention to quit were satisfaction with benefits, job embeddedness, supportive organisational climate and transformational leadership. With the unique combination of variables and the evolving construct of job embeddedness, this study can be deemed as contributing to the existing theory of and literature on job embeddedness and intention to quit. This study concludes with recommendations for future research, as well as practical interventions offered regarding the retention strategies for Generation Y employees in the software development industry in South Africa. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Doctoral 2019-02-25T09:14:59Z 2019-04-17T08:33:09Z 2019-02-25T09:14:59Z 2019-04-17T08:33:09Z 2019-04 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/106184 en_ZA Stellenbosch University xxi, 303 pages ; illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Labor turnover -- Generation Y -- South Africa
Generation Y -- Intention to quit -- South Africa
Information technology -- Employees -- Job embeddedness -- South Africa
Employee fringe benefits -- Employee attitudes -- South Africa
Transformational leadership -- South Africa
Human capital -- South Africa
UCTD
Booysen, Candice
Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa
title Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa
title_full Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa
title_fullStr Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa
title_short Antecedents to the intention to quit amongst Generation Y Information Technology professionals in software development organisations in South Africa
title_sort antecedents to the intention to quit amongst generation y information technology professionals in software development organisations in south africa
topic Labor turnover -- Generation Y -- South Africa
Generation Y -- Intention to quit -- South Africa
Information technology -- Employees -- Job embeddedness -- South Africa
Employee fringe benefits -- Employee attitudes -- South Africa
Transformational leadership -- South Africa
Human capital -- South Africa
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/106184
work_keys_str_mv AT booysencandice antecedentstotheintentiontoquitamongstgenerationyinformationtechnologyprofessionalsinsoftwaredevelopmentorganisationsinsouthafrica