In a study of 221 employees, perceptions of organizational culture and discrepancy between ideal and actual culture predicted both task performance and contextual (altruism, conscientiousness, organizational citizenship) performance. Organizational warmth, organizational competence, and reward were significant predictors of contextual performance.…

In Clardy's study, 56 employees described 109 vocationally oriented self-directed learning projects undertaken. Projects were categorized as induced (spurred by imbalance between job expectations and capability), voluntary (fueled by personal motivation), or synergistic (combined motivation with the spark of workplace circumstances). Willis'…

A study of 2,505 workers indicated that co-worker social support enhances job satisfaction. Affective and instrumental support are both beneficial. However, neither type buffers the negative effects of job stress on satisfaction. (SK)

Developed a construct of sexual issues/sexual harassment in the workplace based on survey responses of 101 participants in a training program on sexual harassment before the training and 111 participants after the training. Results show a progression of attitudes toward behaviors from safe to most dangerous. (SLD)

The economic costs of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace are enormous. A new analysis of an International Labour Organisation (ILO) 5-year transnational program involving management and unions has shown positive results in decreasing drug and alcohol problems. (JOW)

School leaders face tensions at global, macropolitical, policy, and school levels resulting from simultaneous and contradictory influences toward sameness and difference. Government and school leaders can deal with these tensions by challenging the sameness that typifies school operations and valuing and learning from differences among school…

Discusses the unseen but essential qualities of team spirit that are necessary for success. Offers five learning activities to help build team spirit and develop high-performing teams. (JOW)

Self-directed learning results from a dynamic interplay of interests, motivation, strategies, control, and assessment. Environmental circumstances such as workplace conditions form a context for self-directed learning. (SK)

Describes two initiatives developed by Sears that were designed to align career development with business goals: goal cascading, in which individual performance goals were used to determine needed skills and knowledge; and proactive career planning, a guide for career management developed when the corporation underwent significant organizational…

Describes a career development initiative that was an integral part of a major culture shift within Union Pacific Resources. Discusses how cross-functional change agent teams helped set employee expectations and build a culture within the organization. (JOW)

If the learning organization is ever to become a reality and if employees are to be continuous learners, the notion of self-directed learning has to move beyond the buzzword phase and become a major force in employee training. (Author)

Comparison of student teams working on class projects and workplace teamwork finds similar characteristics of successful and unsuccessful teams. Differences include the relatively short duration of classroom groups, organizational culture, team formation, leadership, accountability, diversity, and type of task. (SK)

Women face external career barriers (sexual harassment, discrimination, lower socioeconomic status, racism, homophobia, physical limitations, lack of mentors) as well as individual/social barriers (self-efficacy expectations, low-outcome expectations, skill deficits, multiple role stress). Tools such as interviews, qualitative tests, and…

An effective ethics program can enhance an organization's recruitment and retention, work environment, and reputation. Values statements and codes of conduct are the infrastructure of an effective program. (JOW)

Describes the critical attributes of cooperative groups, tips for implementation, and activity ideas for the business education classroom. (JOW)