Retention of IT professionals in public organizations

Resumo

This study examined the relations between each determinant of
the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and information technology
professionals’ intention to stay (IS) in public organizations, and
their retention within such organizations. We also investigated
the relations between individual, occupational, and organizational
determinants and IS and retention, respectively. This is
a survey with 224 professionals from Brazilian public organizations.
The results showed that job satisfaction (a type of attitude)
is influenced by burnout and perceived learning opportunities,
which also influenced IS. Satisfaction presented a statistically
significant and direct relation to IS and to retention. Subjective
norms are related to IS, while perceived behavioral control influenced
neither IS nor retention. A large part of the individual
determinants (marital status, age, gender, and children) and
salary (occupational determinant) influenced IS and retention.
Finally, IS influenced retention. The results bring to light the
determinants of IS and of retention of professionals in public
organizations and contribute to the development of an assertive
agenda for people management policies in these organizations.