Technical and Non-Technical Employees’ Perceptions on How Low-Code and No-Code Development Platforms Impact the Democratization of Coding: A fsQCA Analysis

Abstract

Democratization of coding - the increased accessibility of software development to non-technical employees - is an emerging but under-conceptualized dimension of digital workplace transformation. This study examines how IT and non-IT employees in Romanian large companies perceive the influence of low-code and no-code development platforms (LC/NCDP) on this phenomenon. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 212 respondents (88 IT, 124 non-IT) and analyzed using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), building on a conceptual model grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model. Results show that both IT and non-IT employees generally expect LC/NCDP to replace aspects of traditional coding, driven mainly by perceived usefulness (benefits, work impact) and ease of use, with organizational use and, for non-IT employees, age also playing a core role. A minority in both groups hold low expectations, primarily where perceived benefits are low. Because these findings capture perceptions and expectations rather than observed organizational outcomes, they should be read as evidence of anticipated, not demonstrated, impact. We recommend that organizations offer LC/NCDP training, particularly for non-IT staff, and propose that policymakers support LC/NCDP.