Gaps in expectations among managers and employees in technology intensive industries

It is pointed out that in many high-technology projects group work becomes critical and individual expertise and freedom of action often become secondary. Hence, neither the expectations by managers of positive group work by technologists nor the expectations of technical employees to perform superior independent work may be realized. The authors discuss the results of a survey designed to document the gaps in these expectations. The target population is managers at the supervisory level and their employees in technology intensive industries. The survey groups the results among managers and employees by their educational background and other relevant variables. The results should be helpful in identifying gaps in expectations and the additional educational training needed. It could also impact the academic training provided to the students in engineering schools.<>