ERIC Number: ED618349
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 305
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-0856-5476-0
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
An Exploration of Technology Employer Perceptions Regarding Soft Skills for Workplace Success
McGowan, Molly Theresa
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Grand Canyon University
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore technology employer perceptions regarding the job skills needed for workplace success for the technology employee. The theoretical frameworks for the study included Career Construction Theory and Socioanalytic Theory. The author explored these overarching research questions: (1) How do employers within the technology industry perceive the value of soft skills and interpersonal skills in terms of workplace success? (2) What soft skills do technology employers perceive technology employees to be lacking? The researcher interviewed 16 technology employers and surveyed 84 technology employers who collaborate with a private Northeastern university in the United States. The researcher then compared the findings from the technology employer interviews and survey data with the data from the NACE 2018 Job Outlook Report. The researcher used Directed Content Analysis and descriptive statistics to analyze the data. Five themes emerged from the data that directly support the key findings of the study. The key findings indicate that employers most value verbal and written communication skills, along with basic business skills, and interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills, and would like to see universities add these topics to technology program curriculum. These findings can help technology educators further develop their curriculum to best prepare students for job success within the technology industry. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Employer Attitudes, Job Skills, Success, Higher Education, Soft Skills, Employment Qualifications, Technology Education, Interpersonal Competence, Communication Skills, Business Skills, Emotional Intelligence
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A