Characteristics of Key Employees in Technology-Based Firms: Implications for Educational Planning.

Abstract

Compared with conventional industrial corporations, technology-based firms foster a higher rate of innovation, exhibit novel forms of organization and , apparently, require distinct types of employees. Not only do technology-based firms represent a hopeful option for economic diversification, but, in many ways, their new job categories may also be a tangible example of information-based activity widely theorized to be critical to future economic growth. Little research has been reported addressing the nature of technology- or information-intensive work. It is logical that the kinds of jobs common to technology-based firms should be investigated to provide a basis of educational policy and planning. Seventeen technology-based firms participated in this study; all were located in the greater Ann Arbor, Michigan area, and all were exp and ing at the time of the investigation. A total of fifty-nine participants returned questionnaires: thirty-four employees and twenty-five supervisors. All participants were involved in the innovative work critical to the company's success. Among the most highly ranked characteristics found were: self-direction and learning from work experience, generating one's own ideas, adaptation to a changing environment, curiosity, working autonomously to solve problems, and being a good team player. The data suggest that these specific characteristics are important when found in conjunction with good oral and written communications and specific academic training, especially in mathematics, engineering, and , to a lesser degree, computer science. The findings point to a number of recommendations calling for new taxonomic structures for knowledge development and for new educational planning and policy mechanisms.