| Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools have been advanced as a possible means to enhance the productivity and performance of the software development process. The use of CASE tools in business has had spotty success. Information systems departments have sought to use technological means to improve the success; however, this spotty success may be related to the personal factors associated with the programmer/analysts, the main users of the tools, rather than the technological means of implementation.; This study was conducted among consultants for a major western consulting firm. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the writing of Tannenbaum and Schmidt. The instrument comprised the following components: Respondent's Profile, CASE Usage, and Personal Factors. The personal factors used for this study were Need for Direction, Identity with the Problems and Objectives of the Organizations, and Information Systems (IS) Experience.; Multiple regression analysis was used to determine if a relationship existed between the personal factors and CASE usage. Major findings of the study were: (1) There was no relationship between the programmer/analysts' identity with the problems and objectives of the organization and CASE usage. (2) There was a relationship between CASE usage and the programmer/analysts' need for direction on the job. Those programmer/analysts with a desire to share in decision making were more likely to have used CASE. (3) There was a relationship between IS experience and CASE usage. Those programmer/analysts with higher education levels and more years of IS work were more likely to have used CASE. |
