The president of Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. discusses three reasons why consumers should be discontent: (1) many are struggling financially and national leaders are working to make their conditions more harsh; (2) many products result from abusive and exploitative working conditions; and (3) consumption can cause severe environmental damage.…

Presents arguments supporting the trend toward integration of vocational education and human resource development. Contributions to both fields are examined as foundations of commonality upon which to build cooperative efforts. Discusses integrative mechanisms and initiatives. (JOW)

Discusses increasing labor problems in the U.S. Postal Service, despite attempts to change the organizational culture. (JOW)

Defines information and management and the importance of realizing the difference between the two terms. Looks at knowledge management and how it interfaces with electronic learning. (JOW)

Points out the value of mentoring programs as a way to recruit and retain employees and increase their value to the company. Discusses why some mentoring programs fail: employees do not understand why they are participating or there is little time and support for the program. (JOW)

Discusses the work environment of school business officials, including challenges and opportunities. (PKP)

Article reviews literature regarding the rationale for employer-based disability management and the available evidence about its importance both for individuals with disabilities and the employers. Presents competencies required for this approach and the implications for professional development and service delivery systems. (Author/JDM)

Describes the activities done and supported by Chief Knowledge Officers (CKO) and Chief Learning Officers (CLO). Reports on the common characteristics of organizations that foster and support knowledge management, organizational learning, and the formation of CKO and CLO positions. (JOW)

The Two-Shell Model of Motivated Self-Directed Learning was tested by examining the impact of working conditions (autonomy, competence, social integration) on a sample of 67 workers. The influence of a project group as a condition promoting self-determination was evident. (SK)

Two questionnaires completed by 27 automobile design engineers and 15 project engineers identified a preference for visual learning. Computer-assisted design training and the daily work environment incorporated visual means such as diagrams, photos, flowcharts, videos, and demos. No significant differences between design and project engineers were…

Job retention services are recommended for people with chronic diseases based on their high risk for work disability. This randomized trial tested the effectiveness of a job retention intervention in a sample of employed persons with rheumatic diseases at risk for work disability. One hundred and twenty-two experimental participants received the…

This research note outlines a project designed to investigate the role of training institutions in providing effective training and development programmes for managers. The investigation is being carried out in the light of recent criticisms levelled against the nature of formal learning environments prevalent in most institutional settings. The…

The author provides career counselors with an overview of the trend toward spirituality in the workplace and examines its potential pros and cons for workers. The growing openness in organizations to explore work from a spiritual perspective provides a new tool to the career practitioner. Career counselors can help clients draw on their…

The faculty office is the most familiar of institutional workplaces. In this article the author, having taught in five countries other than the United States describes how faculty offices are configured and outfitted in other countries. How these spaces are organized says much about who teachers are, the work ethic in other countries, and how…

There is much skepticism about the concept of lifelong learning within both the educational literature and the literature on work. Certainly, many work arrangements discourage learning, let alone lifelong learning. Nevertheless, there are also work situations in which significant learning occurs. However, even in instances where work arrangements…