An Exploration of the Perceived Value of Information Technology Certification between Information Technology and Human Resources Professionals

Abstract

During the decade of the 1990s, many firms engaged in widespread internal dissemination of information technology (IT) in an effort to leverage the capabilities of IT into greater organizational efficiencies. Information technologies such as electronic mail, office automation applications, and enterprise resource planning systems, are a few of the most popular examples of organizational IT initiatives from the past decade. Today, the use of information technology is an integral part of the ordinary course of business and provides technologically progressive firms with heretofore-unseen opportunities. For example, Dell Computers developed and maintains a competitive advantage in the retail technology sector based partly upon the use if information technology that did not exist 10 years ago. Although business applications of information technology present firms with vast opportunity, there is a myriad of complexities associated with organizational IT usage. Generally, this paper examines one critical area: the human resource aspect of organizational IT usage. Specifically, the research presented herein answers the question “Do human resource and information technology professionals perceive information technology certification differently?” The question is of practical relevance when examined, as in this study, within the context of the candidate selection process for a firm evaluating potential hires for an information technology-related position. Initially, the current paper presents a comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundations of certification. From theory, we construct a testing methodology that utilizes, as subjects, practicing human resource and information technology professionals. An analysis of the collected data revealed a marked difference in the perception of information technology certification among the subject groups. Based on the results of structured interviews with the study participants, we present concluding explanations regarding the statistically significant differences among groups.