The effect of personality behavior of operators on wastewater treatment management

The performance and management of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are critically dependent on the capabilities and behaviors of their operators, who play a central role in ensuring the system’s operational safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. While technical skills and experience have traditionally been the focus of operator selection and training, psychological factors such as personality traits have received less attention despite their potential influence on job performance. This study investigates the effect of operators' personality types on their performance in managing industrial and hospital wastewater treatment plants, utilizing the widely recognized Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) framework. A total of ۱۰۰ operators were assessed using the MBTI questionnaire, and their operational performance was evaluated through expert and managerial assessments, classified into four performance categories: poor, average, good, and excellent. Statistical analyses including chi-square tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, logistic regression, and cluster analysis were employed to explore relationships between personality types, demographic variables, and performance outcomes. The results revealed that the ISTJ personality type, characterized by traits such as structure, responsibility, and adherence to protocols, was the most prevalent (۳۶%) and strongly associated with excellent performance. Logistic regression showed that operators with ISTJ personality were ۴.۳ times more likely to achieve excellent performance compared to others. Moreover, age and work experience demonstrated significant positive correlations with performance, emphasizing the value of personal maturity and technical familiarity. Cluster analysis grouped ISTJ, ESTJ, and ISFJ types together, all linked to higher performance, whereas ENFP and INTP types exhibited lower and more variable outcomes. These findings highlight the critical role of psychological traits alongside traditional criteria in operator selection and training processes. Incorporating personality assessment can improve workforce alignment with job demands, reduce operational errors, and enhance overall plant effectiveness. This research contributes to a more holistic approach to human resource management in the water and wastewater sector and encourages future studies to further explore the integration of psychological profiling for optimizing technical workforce performance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Wastewater treatment plant operators ، Personality traits ، Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) ، Operator performance ، Industrial wastewater