Unpacking the Information Technology Productivity Paradox: The Influence of Technology Spending on Faculty and Staff Employment in Higher Education

• In Event: 16.058 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 16.058-5 - Division J Section 5 1

Abstract

Throughout higher education, technology spending continues to increase despite little evidence that it boosts productivity or lowers costs. Using data from Educause, this paper examines whether central IT spending at 602 institutions was connected to savings through employment reductions over the course of seven years. After controlling for a variety of factors through several multivariate regression analyses, our findings suggest technology did not serve as an effective substitution for high-cost labor at these institutions.

Authors

• Justin C. Ortagus, University of Florida

• Mark Umbricht, The Pennsylvania State University

• Josh Wymore, The Pennsylvania State University