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

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 doubt 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 to unveil the critical factors that affect the reluctance of undergraduates to pursue a career in SQA. The research was conducted in Sri Lanka, a popular offshore outsourcing destination for software development. Over 500 undergraduates who follow computing degrees in state and non-state universities in Sri Lanka were surveyed using a questionnaire developed based on the theory of planned behaviour. The results were analysed using qualitative and quantitative approaches and verified at a forum of experienced quality professionals. The findings confirm that the SQA profession is perceived less favourably than other career paths, such as software development and project management in computing. The study explores different attributes related to the undergraduates' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, likely impacting their reluctance to choose an SQA career. Additionally, the study explores the impact of gender, internship status, and the type of educational institution. 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.