A qualitative investigation into the Great Resignation in Ireland: The reasons behind employee turnover within the tech industry during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hayden, Michelle (2022) A qualitative investigation into the Great Resignation in Ireland: The reasons behind employee turnover within the tech industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the reasons why workers within the tech industry in Ireland resigned from their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the Great Resignation being a relatively new topic, limited research and investigations have been completed to get a deeper understanding on the reasons that led to decisions to resign, notably within the tech industry.

Data was collected through six respondents during semi-structured interviews with employees of different tech companies. Respondents had chosen to resign from their role since the pandemic unfolded rapidly in Ireland in approximately April 2020 and are now working in the tech industry. The researcher used open ended questions to gain a better understanding of their reasons as to why they resigned, focusing on four key areas of pay, work-life balance, relationships with management and training, with the aim of the study to advise tech companies on how to implement policies to reduce already high turnover rates and to retain their employees. The qualitative data gained from respondents was analysed thematically to allow for both existing and potential new ideas and themes to emerge from the data. The analysis identified themes and was compared with the academic literature reviewed, such as the priority of career progression, the need for flexible working and the fact that pay is not a main motivator when resigning and searching for a new role.

The researcher imparted recommendations for companies within the tech industry to implement more up-to-date strategies and policies to retain employees since the occurrence of the pandemic, with the findings expected to assist in lowering high turnover rates during the period of the Great Resignation. The study has limitations of sample size with six respondents, but allows a basis for further research in the tech industry on the reason behind resignations and the impact those reasons have on turnover within the industry.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Employee Retention J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > Ireland H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > I.T. Industry H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Staff Turnover
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	18 Nov 2022 13:29
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2022 13:29
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5874

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