Mismatched Default value type issue in ui-select2

[shreyaAb1]

In the dropdown using ui-select with select2 theme, when saving the default value without changing it, the value is saved as an integer. However, if the value is changed and then saved, it is correctly saved as a string. The desired behavior is that the default value should also be saved as a string, ensuring consistency in the saved data format.

Steps to Reproduce:
Initialize the dropdown with a default value selected.
Save the form without changing the default value.
The saved value is stored as an integer.
Change the dropdown value and save again.
The saved value is now correctly stored as a string.

Expected Behavior:
The default value should also be saved as a string, similar to when a value is changed before saving.

Code:

<ui-select-match allow-clear="true" placeholder="Select PA Checker">
    {{$select.selected.Name}}
</ui-select-match>

<ui-select-choices repeat="employees.Id | valueToString as employees in paCheckerEmployees | filter: $select.search">
    {{employees.Name}}
</ui-select-choices>

<div ui-select-no-choice class="no-match-message">No matches found</div>

Directives Involved:

convert-to-string
stringifyValue