Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
5-2019
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Don Good
Committee Members
Jill Channing, Robbie Melton, Stephanie Tweed
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess technology use, on-the-job technology training, education levels, and salary ranges of employees in low-, middle-, and high- skill jobs in a rural county in East Tennessee to create an example of a small town workforce. For this study, technology included computers, robotics, and mobile technology. A survey determined the technology used, training provided, salaries, and job skill levels based on education obtained and required by major employers. The study identified the level of jobs requiring more technology skills and salaries or training related to these job skill levels. Participants included 336 persons who completed an electronic survey. Participants represented twenty-eight different companies in healthcare, education, manufacturing, banking, and other small businesses in an East Tennessee rural county.
The major findings of the study included: a) use of multiple forms of technology in all job skill levels; b) more time spent in on-the-job training for higher job skill levels; c) participants in lower job skill levels more likely to be overqualified for their position; d) participants in higher paying jobs used more types of technology; and e) participants in higher skill level jobs tend to have higher salaries. The study concluded that, while technology affected all skill levels, there was a significantly positive relationship between salary, technology use, technology training, and job skill level.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Bolton, Kim, "Technology for the 21st Century Workforce: A Case Study of a Rural East Tennessee Workforce Community" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3545. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3545
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.