@article {Lee:2000:0049-3155:544,
title = "Technical Writer/Subject-matter Expert Interaction: The Writers Perspective, the Organizational Challenge",
journal = "Technical Communication",
parent_itemid = "infobike://stc/tc",
publishercode ="stc",
year = "2000",
volume = "47",
number = "4",
publication date ="2000-11-01T00:00:00",
pages = "544-552",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "0049-3155",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/stc/tc/2000/00000047/00000004/art00007",
author = "Lee, Martha F. and Mehlenbacher, Brad",
abstract = "Almost a decade ago, Walkowskis (1991) study of the interaction between subject-matter experts (SMEs) and technical writers focused on the perceptions of software engineers toward technical writers. Her findings gave technical writers insights on how to improve critical relationships
with these organizational colleagues. This study partially replicates Walkowskis (1991) study of technical writer-SME interactions, but instead of collecting data from SMEs, we surveyed technical writers themselves. We report perceptions collected from 31 technical writers and contrast
them with Walkowskis original findings, offering interpersonal and organizational recommendations for addressing tensions between these groups. By examining both the SMEs and the technical writers perceptions of their relationship, we are able to provide a two-sided view
of a dynamic and complex interaction. We also argue that participants in the SME-technical writer interaction cannot fully alter their relationship without the strategic support of their managers and managers from other organizational divisions.",
}