A study of perceived need satisfaction in computer programmers

This paper examines the perceived need satisfactions experienced by a relatively new technical profession, computer programmers. For purposes of this study, the job description of a programmer is an individual who designs, codes, or programs a computer software system in a time sharing enterprise. This system is composed of a library of application programmers available to the consumer under a service contract. Applications are designed for routine business, scientific, and mathematical problems. The work organization is made up of functional departments designed to maintain current programs, design new applications as the demand arises, improve the executive program that directs users to their needs, and account for user time for billing purposes. Programmers in such an organization are the technical middlemen between the marketing and operating functions.