Demographic differences in stereotypical beliefs toward digital technology professionals

Abstract

Digitalization is essential for enhancing enterprise efficiency and optimizing work processes; however, organizations often face barriers during implementation. One of the key challenges is employee resistance, which is frequently driven by negative stereotypical beliefs about people working in information and communication technologies (ICT). This study aims to examine demographic differences in perceptions of stereotypes toward digital technology professionals within the Slovak working population. Understanding such differences is important for organizations, as it helps identify groups that may require targeted attention during technology implementation. A quantitative survey was conducted on a sample of 492 Slovak respondents (Mean age = 30.1; SD = 12.6). The measurement scale demonstrated high internal consistency (McDonald’s omega = 0.907). The findings indicate that respondents tend to disagree with negative stereotypes, reflecting the increasing normalization of digital tools in the workplace. While no statistically significant differences with small effect sizes were identified based on age, gender, or education level, our results reveal that residents of smaller settlements are more likely to endorse negative stereotypes than those living in cities. These findings suggest that geographical factors should be considered when developing strategies to reduce resistance during digital transformation.