Are Human-Factors People Really so Different? Comparisons of Interpersonal Behavior and Implications for Design Teams

:This study examined differences between human-factors and machinefactors computer professionals in self-reports of their interpersonal behaviors. Three hundred and eleven computer professionals completed an instrument describing their jobs and three categories of their interpersonal behavior—Dominance, Friendliness, and Task versus Socio-Emotional. Human-factors professionals described their ideal and actual behavior as more dominant than that of other computer professionals. No differences were found for the other two behavior dimensions. Human-factors professionals on the average were more involved with research while machine-oriented professionals were more involved with product development. The findings are discussed with respect to their importance for computer system design teams. It is suggested that interpersonal factors may affect the utilization of human-factors experts.

• 저널Journal of Management Information Systems · 9(1) · 113–132
• 토픽Design Education and Practice · Mechanical Engineering
• DOI10.1080/07421222.1992.11517950
• 저자Poppy Lauretta McLeod