The Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Team Effectiveness in SMEs

This study examines the paradoxical role of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) within the high-stakes environment of Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the technological sector. Despite persistent and significant critiques from the psychometric community regarding its scientific validity, the MBTI remains a widely used tool in corporate settings for team development (Altmann & Sauer, 207). This research moves beyond a simple validation debate to explore the functional utility of the MBTI within a specific non-Western cultural context. Employing a descriptive correlational design, this study surveyed 250 employees across seven Jordanian tech SMEs, using the official MBTI instrument and a validated team effectiveness questionnaire. The findings reveal statistically significant correlations between specific personality preferences and key performance metrics (Horowitz, 209). Notably, preferences for Extraversion (E) and Judging (J) were predictive of higher team productivity, while preferences for Intuition (N) and Feeling (F) were strong predictors of enhanced team collaboration. The results suggest that the influence of personality on team outcomes is powerfully moderated by Jordanian national culture, characterized by high levels of Power Distance and Collectivism. The principal conclusion of this analysis is that the MBTI's perceived value in this context derives not from its diagnostic accuracy but from its social utility as a catalyst for dialogue (Johnson, 2020). It provides a non-confrontational framework for discussing interpersonal dynamics, a function of particular importance in cultures that prioritize group harmony (King, 2024c).

Pagina's: 48, Paperback, Eliva Press