Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
experience and the ability to apply 3GLs achieved significance, other research confirms the
declining importance of these subjects (Ang, 1992; Ang & Jiwahhasuchin, 1998; Young &
Keen, 1997).
Ranking Soft Skills
A third section in the survey solicited rankings of the importance of a range of so-called
“soft skills.” The results are presented in Table 6. Comparisons between the “higher” and
“lower” people contact groups were made. In all cases, Mann-Whitney U tests were used to
establish any statistical differences between the two classifications. Table 6
shows that
“soft” skills in the main are rated substantially higher than “hard” academic skills. Although
the higher people contact grouping tended to rate these soft skills above the rating by the
lower people contact grouping, only one variable (Problem Definition Skills) was rated
significantly higher by the more client-oriented respondents. Only one “soft” skill, “Able to
prepare multimedia presentations,” was rated lower than 5.0 by both groups.
ALL
other “soft”
skills were rated at 5.0 or higher by
both
groups.
Table 6. Comparative importance of soft skills (
n =
136)
Lower
Higher
Skills
Mean (
)
Mean (
)
Problem-solving skills
6.38 (0.56)
6.49 (0.58)
*
Work as a team
6.47 (0.70)
6.57 (0.62)
Meet deadlines
6.37 (0.66)
6.34 (0.70)
Quickly acquire new skills
6.32 (0.62)
6.41 (0.66)
Work under pressure
6.42 (0.74)
6.42 (0.80)
Independently acquire new skills
6.32 (0.72)
6.38 (0.71)
Manage time
6.23 (0.79)
6.20 (1.06)
Handle concurrent tasks
6.15 (0.73)
6.17 (0.87)
Be able to interact with people of different
backgrounds
6.05 (0.72)
6.20 (0.73)
Possess problem definition skills
6.03 (0.71)
6.30 (0.75)
Be able to work with people from different
disciplines
6.03 (0.71) 6.05 (0.76)
Work independently
6.30 (1.03)
6.25 (0.87)
Possess written communication skills
6.10 (0.86)
6.25 (0.83)
Have a client-focused service ethic
6.07 (0.92)
6.24 (1.06)
Be willing to undergo ongoing professional
development
6.03 (0.94)
6.29 (0.85)
Think creatively
5.93 (0.99)
6.20 (0.80)
Place organizational objectives first
5.72 (0.87)
5.74 (1.01)
Accept direction
5.87 (1.03)
6.16 (0.73)
Have business analysis skills
5.63 (0.86)
5.62 (1.15)
Possess oral presentation skills
5.70 (0.93)
5.86 (1.17)
Have information-seeking skills
5.68 (1.02)
5.95 (0.91)
Have leadership potential
5.08, (1.09)
5.25 (1.07)
Possess a good sense of humor
5.00 (1.30)
5.26 (1.39)
Be able to prepare multimedia presentations
4.52 (1.44)
4.89 (1.05)
n =
60 76
*Significantly different at 0.05% level.
