Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States

Innovation is a critical driver of economic growth, yet research on innovation practices in the IT sector remains limited, particularly in developing countries. This study examines the key attributes that IT companies seek in human talent amid the current labour shortage, aiming to identify the skil...

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Main Authors: Belinda Pastrana, Sergio Tobón, David Chávez-Herting, Gilberto Rodríguez, Flor de Azalia López
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125002402
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author Belinda Pastrana
Sergio Tobón
David Chávez-Herting
Gilberto Rodríguez
Flor de Azalia López
author_facet Belinda Pastrana
Sergio Tobón
David Chávez-Herting
Gilberto Rodríguez
Flor de Azalia López
author_sort Belinda Pastrana
collection DOAJ
description Innovation is a critical driver of economic growth, yet research on innovation practices in the IT sector remains limited, particularly in developing countries. This study examines the key attributes that IT companies seek in human talent amid the current labour shortage, aiming to identify the skills and competencies that align with industry demands and contribute to sustainable economic growth. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative approach, we employed a socioformative rubric to survey 113 IT professionals, including executives and decision-makers from leading global Big Tech companies in Mexico and the United States. The study identifies 11 strategic axes for workforce innovation training, highlighting the importance of customized human capital development to address the dynamic demands of the IT sector. Results reveal that practices such as the impact of innovation on business growth and the influence of geographic location or internet connectivity on talent distribution are highly prioritized, while networking and incentives for innovation development lag behind. These findings underscore the need for tailored training programs and strategic innovation practices to bridge skill gaps and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. By providing actionable insights into innovation-focused workforce development, this study contributes to both academic discourse and practical strategies for IT organizations.
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spelling doaj-art-04a408c511bb4affa1006be3d3ef432e2025-08-20T03:23:02ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011110151210.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101512Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United StatesBelinda Pastrana0Sergio Tobón1David Chávez-Herting2Gilberto Rodríguez3Flor de Azalia López4Department of Systems and Computing Engineering, TecNM Tecnológico Nacional de México, Minatitlán Campus, MexicoCentro Universitario CIFE, Cuernavaca, Morelos, MexicoCenter for Research in Quality Education for Equity, Central University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Corresponding author.Department of Economic-Administrative Sciences, TecNM Tecnológico Nacional de México, Campus Minatitlán, MexicoDepartment of Electronic Engineering, TecNM Tecnológico Nacional de México, Campus Minatitlán, MexicoInnovation is a critical driver of economic growth, yet research on innovation practices in the IT sector remains limited, particularly in developing countries. This study examines the key attributes that IT companies seek in human talent amid the current labour shortage, aiming to identify the skills and competencies that align with industry demands and contribute to sustainable economic growth. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative approach, we employed a socioformative rubric to survey 113 IT professionals, including executives and decision-makers from leading global Big Tech companies in Mexico and the United States. The study identifies 11 strategic axes for workforce innovation training, highlighting the importance of customized human capital development to address the dynamic demands of the IT sector. Results reveal that practices such as the impact of innovation on business growth and the influence of geographic location or internet connectivity on talent distribution are highly prioritized, while networking and incentives for innovation development lag behind. These findings underscore the need for tailored training programs and strategic innovation practices to bridge skill gaps and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. By providing actionable insights into innovation-focused workforce development, this study contributes to both academic discourse and practical strategies for IT organizations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125002402Information technologyHuman talentInnovationSocioformative rubricProfessional developmentArtificial intelligence
spellingShingle Belinda Pastrana
Sergio Tobón
David Chávez-Herting
Gilberto Rodríguez
Flor de Azalia López
Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Information technology
Human talent
Innovation
Socioformative rubric
Professional development
Artificial intelligence
title Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States
title_full Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States
title_fullStr Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States
title_full_unstemmed Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States
title_short Examining innovation practices in the IT sector: A socioformative and AI-driven analysis of talent development in Mexico and the United States
title_sort examining innovation practices in the it sector a socioformative and ai driven analysis of talent development in mexico and the united states
topic Information technology
Human talent
Innovation
Socioformative rubric
Professional development
Artificial intelligence
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125002402
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