It’s that time of the year again, when we look back on which IMT articles our readers found especially appealing.

As we look at which topics struck the strongest chord with our readers in 2009, it’s clear that our focus remains on the workplace. From corporate culture and skipping work to lousy bosses and annoying coworkers, here are our five most read articles so far this year, plus a few we think are particularly worth checking out.

Whether you missed an article the first time around or are revisiting a recent favorite, it’s a perfect opportunity to weigh in on the best of 2009.

13 Types of Irritating Coworkers
Whenever you isolate many different types of people into one workspace, chances are you’ll have some personality clashes. Some behaviors, such as those listed here, are annoying but not necessarily toxic.

What’s Your Corporate Culture?
From Enron to Google, corporate culture says a lot about an organization’s character, influencing how it’s perceived by customers, employees and competitors.

Traits of a Bad Boss
The trials and tribulations that accompany working for a bad boss are manifold, from daily ups and downs to a growing fear of losing one’s job. What qualities define a poor manager?

Employment Outlook for Second-Half 2009
So far this year, unemployment has risen, available positions have constricted and job security has all but disappeared. Will hiring conditions in the second half of 2009 be different?

Outrageous Excuses for Missing Work
Most of us have been tardy or absent due to traffic or family obligations, but few of us have ever used bingo or chickens’ feet as actual excuses for missing work.

Recommended Reading – China: Fragile Superpower
While most recent writings about China presume an unstoppable rise of a global titan, China: Fragile Superpower questions whether this emerging superpower is going to run the world.

STAFF PICKS

5 e-Procurement Mistakes to Avoid
It’s a new year — and with it comes a new chance to avoid making last year’s mistakes. Here are some of the most common implementation blunders made in regards to e-procurement.

Defining “American-Made”
“Buy American” is back on the agenda in Washington. Yet buying American-made products, particularly automobiles, has become an ambiguous, complicated challenge.

3-D Printing Brings Prototyping to the Home
Imagine designing a component on a computer and having a prototype emerge from your printer. 3-D printers and desktop manufacturing technology are making this an affordable reality.