Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

David Gould

Abstract

Ineffective communication behavioral constructs in the workplace that lead to information technology (IT) project failure and in some cases organization failure are increasingly becoming a management concern. Despite this trend, there is little research on the communication behavioral constructs that contribute to IT project failure rates. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of business analysts, programmers, and programmer analysts pertaining to the behavioral constructs associated with effective and ineffective communication. The research questions addressed these behaviors from a conceptual framework based on communication theory, organizational information processing theory, and critical social theory. This framework guided data collection using electronic interviews of a snowball sample of social media participants. Data were coded using open and axial techniques, analyzed for themes and patterns, and member checked to bolster trustworthiness. Findings included 10 communication behavioral constructs that influence communication in IT software development teams. Included in the findings were potential options for improving communication among end users, management, programmers, and other employees. Recommendations to improve communication among stakeholders included involvement of the correct stakeholders, clear project requirements, frequent communication, active listening, and feedback. Other recommendations were stakeholder education and training, and knowledge of goals and processes. Implications for positive social change could be realized by using the findings to improve the way communication is addressed, shared, and implemented to reduce IT project failure for stakeholders.

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