Total quality management (TQM) has become a U.S. social movement. This commentary analyzes the writings of W. Edwards Deming, Joseph Juran, and Kaoru Ishikawa to assess TQM's coherence, distinctiveness, and likely perseverance. Rhetoric is winning over substance, unrelated interventions are being herded under the TQM banner, and research is not…

Describes a study investigating the working conditions of Albanian teachers and their influence on job satisfaction. Indicates that, although the economic and physical conditions were worse than in other countries, levels of job satisfaction and engagement in classroom practices were high. Suggests that work efficiency is predicted by social…

Examines simulation in entrepreneurial research, reviews cognitive structures and theories, and presents a computerized simulation of strategic decision-making in situational stereotype conditions for entrepreneurial companies. The study suggests repeated exposure to a pattern recognition issue in entrepreneurship may lead to a broader…

Measuring employment outcomes for persons with severe disabilities has gone from a focus on task performance in sheltered settings to measurement of a number of individual outcomes in supported employment settings. Measurement considerations for individual, group, and organizational variables are discussed. Use of more than one measurement…

Explores 40 urban principals' perceptions concerning obstacles to school effectiveness. Schools as organizational workplaces are plagued by stress, frustration, and alienation. There is a growing gap between school culture and the larger society. Kids who no longer buy into the American dream often fail to meet educator-imposed expectations.…

Reports on a survey of 321 community college faculty comparing reported job satisfaction with their perceptions of the leadership styles of their college's president. Finds high job satisfaction correlated with a "high relationship/low task" leadership style. Finds low job satisfaction among male and vocational faculty. (DMM)

Heterosexism and homophobia, revealed by surveys to be common on university campuses, must be countered by positive, proactive administrative and faculty action, including statements of nondiscrimination, equal treatment, unequivocal response to acts and words of intolerance, and encouragement of research and curriculum on this and related issues.…

Business educators must define their position and responsibility as they prepare students to enter and become productive in a diverse work setting. The Policies Commission for Business and Economic Education affirms its position on the roles of business education and of business regarding cultural diversity. (JOW)

Discussion of the use of part-time faculty looks at college policies and practices influencing hiring of part-timers, problems emerging from part-time appointments, and policy and structural changes needed to increase the effectiveness of part-time faculty. It is concluded that while the problems cannot be resolved to everyone's satisfaction,…

The faculty career is changing in response to external and internal pressures. Discusses pressures for institutional change, current faculty demographics, and possible institutional responses including modifications to traditional tenure systems (changes to the probationary period and time base of tenure, productivity concerns) and faculty career…

Discusses staff behavioral problems that prove difficult for successful library management. Suggests that reasonable expectations for behavior need to be established in such areas as common courtesies, environmental issues such as temperature and noise levels, work relationships and values, diverse work styles and ways of communicating, and…

Details part of a larger project undertaken by Swedish Save the Children in order to inform the current debate about child labor with evidence from working children engaged in a range of occupations, in contrasting regions of the world. Summarizes issues, children's occupational preferences, and views on work and school. (SD)

Accomplished teachers are leaving the profession by the thousands (7% yearly). A 1997 National Center for Education Statistics survey found that dissatisfied teachers leave because of student discipline and motivation problems, inadequate administrative support, poor salary, and insufficient influence over school policies and practices. The…

Investigates (1) how Malaysian linguists perceive and categorize sub-varieties of Malaysian English, as spoken by select speakers, along the lectal continuum; and (2) whether "gatekeepers" regard the same select speakers acceptable for delivering business presentations to different audiences. Discussion sheds light on what is and is not…

A three-county survey of administrative credential students in California found that 26% of respondents serving in administrative positions are considering leaving their jobs; 62% of qualified candidates are staying in the classroom. Solutions to principal overload include hiring more assistant principals and grooming inhouse talent. (MLH)