Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 Outbreaks on MIS Students: A Qualitative Approach

During the breakout of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many schools worldwide have enforced a policy of distance education. The Taiwanese students also experienced long hours of learning by using smart technologies for the first time. MIS education is a career preparation for IT professionals who use smart technology in organizations. IT professionals with MIS education backgrounds may have important roles when facing COVID-19. Moreover, many MIS students will become IT professionals and join the workforce for combatting the pandemic using smart technologies with their background of MIS education. This study intends to construct theories that depict the relevance among MIS education, IT professionals, and smart technologies in the confrontation of the COVID-19 pandemic. By using in-depth interviews with MIS students and recent MIS graduates, the possible impacts of COVID-19 outbreaks are analyzed. The results could provide reflective insights for MIS education providers, human resource units, IT firms, and organizations confronting COVID-19 outbreaks