Focuses on appropriate and potentially helpful applications of workplace humor to enhance the work atmosphere in academic libraries. Provides an overview of humor literature and Internet sites. Discusses a conference on incorporating humor into the workplace, humor in academic libraries, personal applications, and applications for management in…

Explores leadership succession by studying an elected county school superintendent's experience. Extends the Gordon and Rosen theoretical model by identifying factors triggering succession, examining interim appointments, and identifying succession and organizational elements affected by the nature of elected leadership positions. The…

A survey of educational-administration students revealed 10 factors influencing teachers' reluctance to move into administration: nature of work responsibilities, working conditions, emotional aspects, district location, superintendent reputation, effects on home life, quality of community life, community support, salary/responsibility issues, and…

Panel Study of Income Dynamics data on white workers indicate that percentage of males in an occupation is positively related to men's chances of receiving a wage promotion and women's movement to joblessness. Findings support the notion that women in male-dominated occupations do not ascend the career ladder, but are instead pressured to leave.…

Discusses the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which consolidates more than 70 federal job-training programs and provides states with the flexibility to develop workforce-development systems in partnership with local governments. Describes one-stop career centers, which provide a variety of services to job seekers. (JOW)

The content of library science journals, by sharing information about technology-based change, may affect the organizational structure in which librarians and staff work, their expectations for using technology, and their need for libraries to become, to a greater degree, learning organizations. This article deals only with print journals. (AEF)

Applies Stephen Covey's seventh habit (sharpening the saw/self-renewal) to needed personal and professional development activities for school business officials. Key activities include networking, mentoring, surfing the net, professional reading, formal learning, and reinventing oneself. Self-reinvention is the Covey habit that recharges,…

Principals operate in a tightly regulated system while attempting to lead teachers toward voluntary extracurricular activities. According to a case study of an Israeli senior school, leaders resolve this paradox by mobilizing teachers via behavior- and cognition-shaping strategies which cause them to redefine their work. Administrators succeed…

Reports on an investigation into the workplace English needs of textile and clothing merchandisers who communicate in the international marketplace. Through questionnaire surveys, telephone interviews, analysis of authentic correspondence, and visits to the workplace, a detailed understanding has been obtained of the communication demands placed…

Discusses the employment conditions and levels of satisfaction of the increasing numbers of full- and part-time college faculty members ineligible for tenure. Recommends extension of academic freedom, a reasonable amount of job security for all faculty, inclusion of tenure-ineligible faculty members in governance, and basing faculty rewards and…

Tests two theories regarding the factors that influence job satisfaction in an organizational setting: the job characteristic theory, and the social information processing theory. Finds individuals' job satisfaction is predicted by objective characteristics of the job, and an individual's level of job satisfaction is influenced by the job…

A case study of Queensland, Australia, elementary principals found their jobs significantly affected by school-based management. Principals are expected to lead their communities through the change process and facilitate cultural change while responding to greater accountability demands from the system. Managerialism has eclipsed educational…

Uses a cross-cultural perspective to report on the work experiences of a Chinese-American woman. Examines the case from the viewpoints of Jessica Chang, her supervisor, and that of her organization as a whole. Lists additional readings in cross-cultural counseling, with a focus in cross-cultural career counseling. (RJM)

Defines ergonomics and discusses design and environmental considerations. Suggests work-space requirements for: tables, chairs, monitor height, ambient noise and light, electricity, and environmental hazards. Includes sources for additional information related to ergonomic design. (AEF)

This article describes the challenges faced by a first-year special educator of children with emotional disturbances. In addition to academic diversity and behavioral challenges, there were also issues related to working with a team of special educators and being the newcomer. These issues included instructional time, behavioral management, and…