| This research study investigated the link between the interpersonal communication effectiveness of programmer analysts, their personality type (Jung), rhetorical sensitivity (Hart and Burks), technical ability, and demographic characteristics. A total of 118 programmer analysts and 47 managers from three large Midwestern organizations (aerospace, insurance, government) volunteered their participation. Each programmer analyst completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the RHETSEN scale, and a background questionnaire. Technical ability and interpersonal communication effectiveness were assessed by means of a manager-completed performance appraisal.;Technical ability was strongly associated with interpersonal communication effectiveness in the following areas: (a) basic communication skills, (b) role taking flexibility, (c) project team performance, and (d) interaction management (maintaining user relations). It was the best significant predictor of performance.;Several demographic variables (strength of one's quantitative skills, interaction with users, involvement in project team situations, and years of systems analysis experience) were also associated with higher performance. These variables were not principal predictors of interpersonal communication effectiveness.;There was no significant relationship between the interpersonal communication effectiveness of the programmer analysts and their personality type. When analyzed by research site, however, the judgement/perception personality scale was moderately and negatively related to project team performance at the insurance company. This same scale was positively related to role taking flexibility at the governmental agency.;With respect to rhetorical sensitivity, no significant relationships existed between the programmer analysts' attitudes toward rhetorical sensitivity and their performance. Programmer analysts, in general, were not found to be very rhetorically sensitive.;The lack of more significant findings may be attributed to three factors: (a) an over-representation of above average performers, (b) their diverse educational background, and (c) the type of interpersonal communication being rated. Forty percent of the participants had educational majors that did not stress computer skills. Technical managers rated the interpersonal communication effectiveness of the programmer analysts. Their perceptions may have been based on technical-to-technical interactions with these individuals. |
