About the Project

We hope gain a better understanding of both local and global IT trends. Our research will lead to an innovative, integrated policy framework for employees, employers, and public policy makers. The WANE project is an international compilation of social scientists, researchers and statisticians, with team members in Canada, the U.S., the European Union and Australia.

U.S. Component

Victor W. Marshall leads the U.S. team. The United States team is focusing specifically on the IT industries in North Carolina and Florida. For details on the U.S. Team, please see the Team Members page.

Expected Outcomes

We expect to use the results of our research to:

• Provide policy guidance for firms regarding best-practice management.
• Suggest public policies ensuring high levels of employee well-being and productivity.
• Provide guidance and information on engaging in life-long learning - a key component to career management in the new economy.

The Research Process

In the first phase of our project, we analyzed the available literature on the global IT industry. Reports from Phase I are available on the International WANE web site.

The second phase of our project will apply the analysis of the IT literature to the realities of the current industry. Key informant interviews will be conducted and cross-compared for all participating nations.

The last phase of the project will incorporate more in-depth study methods, including case studies. Case studies of specific IT firms are a vital component of our research. Ten to fifteen IT workplaces in North Carolina will participate in looking at the way IT, and their workplace in particular, participates in the new economy. Case study participants will be chosen to represent a range of exemplary IT firms in North Carolina.