This symposium report presents the background, underlying assumptions, philosophy and goals, research design, sample, and results of an intensive three-year organizational study involving military, government and civilian organizations. The first paper, by S. B. Wells, discusses the organizational setting, approach and rationale of this research.…

This study provides empirical validation for Roe's system of classification of occupations by comparing descriptions within that system with descriptions given by immediate supervisors through the Minnesota Job Description Questionnaire (MJDQ). The MJDQ yields Occupational Reinforcer Pattern (ORP) depicting relative magnitudes of 21 reinforcers…

This study examines the impact various variables associated with the technical structure of a work setting have on the potential relationship between supervisory style and the attitudes and behavior of industrial work groups. The research explores the assumption that supervision is an integral part of an organization and whatever characteristics…

Some forecasts about the conditions and requirements that trainers will face in the 1980s are discussed. As increased knowledge does not assure increased ability to perform, trainers should emphasize competency development instead of knowledge transmission. Other trends mentioned are adult learning, diversified delivery systems, and work…

Hypothesizes that stereotypes of Japanese workers as diligent, loyal, dedicated, and possessing high morale are false. The author maintains that the Japanese workplace will increasingly come to resemble that of the United States and other western industrialized nations, including less paternalism, more job mobility, more individualism, and greater…

The author presents strategies, taken from recent research on effective teaching, that worksite-based trainers may find useful. He covers such areas as (1) course structure, (2) curriculum, (3) classroom climate, (4) structured momentum, (5) guided practice, and (6) targeted individualization. (CH)

Examined the perceptions of 237 women who worked in three sex-specific occupational categories and the effects of their participation in these occupations on several psychological and physical health variables. Found that women in female-dominated occupations showed more psychological and physical distress than did those in other occupations.…

Using a sample of registered nurses (N=228) from a large urban hospital, this longitudinal study tested the applicability of a person-environment fit model for predicting job involvement and organizational commitment. Results indicated the proposed person-environment fit model is useful for predicting job involvement, but not organizational…

Discusses the role of human resource development professionals in managing learning resources. The author examines learning resources that exist in a corporation, resources that optimize human growth and development within the system (such as line supervisors, printed materials, work groups), and the use of learning contracts to make learning…

Medical and dental residents at the University of Rochester Medical Center were surveyed with a brief symptom inventory to measure stress and its causes. Significantly elevated stress showed for rotations in the emergency room, greater frequency of being on call, and reduced sleep. (Author/MLW)

Reports results of a survey of 800 library staff members on aspects of library work that they find stressful. The findings include sources of satisfaction and stress for all participants, and sources of stress specific to public services librarians, technical services librarians, and support staff members. (CLB)

Examines links between three competitive strategies (cost reduction, quality improvement, and innovation) and human resources (HR) practices. Describes a framework for ensuring that the two are made compatible and illustrates the process by showing how one $20 million business wrestled with these compatibility issues. (CH)

Interviews with 17 deaf adults (ages 39 to 65) examined the perceived effects of changing technology on older deaf workers. Responses concerned effects on the individual of education, formal accommodations to deafness, informal accommodations, attitudes, and small shop versus large shop workplace setting. (DB)

Investigated buffering role of social support in relationship of work load to tension-anxiety and coping for police radio dispatchers (N=60). Found under high perceived load, dispatchers with high social support engaged in more coping actions and felt less tension-anxiety than did low-support dispatchers. Found no differences when perceived load…

Discussion of issues in management of library automation includes: (1) hardware, including systems growth and contracts; (2) software changes, vendor relations, local systems, and microcomputer software; (3) item and authority databases; (4) automation and library staff, organizational structure, and managing change; and (5) environmental issues,…