What should i understand?: the concept of shift of understanding, a quote-based analysis

Abstract

In this paper, we address an under-investigated thematic area of Information Technology (IT) personnel turnover literature: IT Entrepreneurial Turnover. Following a Grounded Theory Methodological approach, we introduce the following concept: 'Shift of Understanding' (SoU). We develop this concept through the analysis of 57 interviews, completed by the analysis of over 200 famous quotes from authors/entrepreneurs. A SoU occurred after a shock, an entrepreneurial event or when a gradual evolution of a condition (e.g. accumulation of information or experience which at some point turns into knowledge) has come to its completion phase. In such cases, the inertia governing human behavior is interrupted and the individual perceives things under a new lens: a shift of understanding has just happened. A newly formed desire towards entrepreneurship, the realization of the urgency and immediacy of action, the reconsideration of both pragmatic and existential concerns such as the risk reduction, the capability to seize opportunities, or the meaning of life in general, the re-evaluation of one's prospects, propensities and needs are some of the manifestations of SoU which are found to be directly or indirectly linked to the actual IT entrepreneurial turnover behavior.