A Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)-Based Study on the Reluctance of Sri Lankan IT Undergraduates in Pursuing a Software Quality Assurance Career

Abstract

Despite the growing demand worldwide, the popularity of the Software Quality Assurance (SQA) profession has always been questionable. Technology is increasingly being adopted in the SQA process. Still, the prospective entrants to the profession seem to have doubts about various aspects such as career progression, learning opportunities, social recognition, etc. This research aims to study why SQA is not a popular career choice among computing undergraduates. Specifically, it aims at unveiling the critical factors that affect the reluctance of undergraduates to pursue a career in SQA. The research was conducted in Sri Lanka, which is a popular offshore outsourcing destination for software development. Over 500 undergraduates who follow computing degrees in both state and non-state universities in Sri Lanka were surveyed using a questionnaire developed based on the theory of planned behaviour. The results were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approaches and verified at a forum of experienced quality professionals. The results of the study confirm the hypothesis that the SQA profession is an ill-favoured career. Moreover, it reveals interesting correlations between the intention not to select the SQA profession among the undergraduates and their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural controls. Furthermore, the impacts of the respondents' gender, status of the internship, and the type of higher education institution they study on their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural controls have been revealed. The study concludes that 1) Lack of awareness about the SQA profession 2) Possible inferiority complexes and ill-treatment at the workplace 3) Effects of the negative messages the senior students carry to their juniors after internships, and 4) The impact of the alumni who work as SQA professionals are the potential areas that the industry and the academia need to work on individually as well as collaboratively to mitigate the risks stemming from the undergraduates' reluctance to join the SQA profession.