This collection includes five papers assessing current and projected developments in the field of robotics and the implications of these developments for vocational-technical education. The first paper, "New Applications for Industrial Robots--Perspectives for the Next Five Years" (M. Illi) compares advances in robotics in Japan and the…

Trends concerning women working in industry are discussed. Although women make up a majority of the workforce in most manufacturing industries in both developed and developing nations, they have little say or consideration in the decisions that affect their lives. Following a brief introduction in chapter 1, the second chapter, "The Rise of…

This study offers a profile of child care workers in family day care homes and child care centers, reporting general statistics and examining their wages, benefits, training, working conditions, and turnover rates. In addition, it looks at government regulation and licensing, employer-sponsored programs, child abuse, insurance rates, and federal…

The art of effective management is addressed, along with motivational factors that affect the way in which employees respond to management. To meet challenges for better production, organizational systems are taking into account the development of individual employees. Since human behavior must be fully understood to develop human resources, "new…

This guide contains the "Work It Out" simulation, which is pertinent to a variety of curriculum areas, both academic and vocational. The purpose of "Work It Out" is to introduce the student to work-related problem situations and to promote skills in identifying alternatives when solving problems. Part I discusses use of the…

The changing economy is affecting everyone's life, especially from the standpoint of prospects for earning a living and pursuing a meaningful career. A clear understanding of the changing nature and dimensions of work is a necessary requisite to planning careers, managing employees, and developing effective employment policies. Preparing for the…

Numerous studies indicate that an individual's perception of internal or external control over life events ("perceived locus of control") is a personality variable that influences the perception of a situation as threatening or stress-inducing. Whether for reasons of personality or because of "situational powerlessness," the…

This early childhood education text was designed to help students and child care staff become effective advocates for the improvement of quality, salaries, and working conditions in child care programs. Unit I provides literature on the issues affecting the child care field and focuses on strategies to improve salaries and working conditions.…

This report describes a five-part study conducted at the Brigham Young University library during the winter semester of 1987 to assess the quality of the reference service provided to library patrons by student reference assistants (SRAs) after a full semester of SRA participation in the reference patron service system. The study focused on…

These 19 papers review current research and development work related to the operation of the instructor's station of training systems, with emphasis on developing functional station specifications applicable to a variety of simulation-based training situations. Topics include (1) instructional features; (2) instructor/operator station research and…

Four portfolio managers who handle common stocks were observed in a study that examined the preference of an alternative decision making process in an information overload situation. The week of observation was arranged so that the portfolio manager focused primarily on the decision making portion of the work rather than on the presentation and…

The current knowledge about what distinguishes productive and vital faculty members from their less dynamic peers is considered, along with additional information needs. Most empirical evidence on faculty productivity concerns only research and publication. Information is inadequate about other forms of faculty achievement and vitality, including…

The purpose of this study was to identify the career ladder needs of paraprofessionals as required by both California State and Federal educational mandates. Findings, gathered by questionnaires returned by 594 aides in seven southern and central Californian counties, are discussed in terms of the following: (1) personal characteristics; (2)…

Intended as a resource for secondary teachers, this book analyzes the role of unions in the American economy and examines the main forces influencing unions in the United States. This second edition includes important domestic and external events that have affected U.S. economic policy and unions since the first edition was published in 1976.…

This booklet is intended to help mainstreamed mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, or learning disabled high school students acquire a basic understanding of the responsibilities and working conditions of electricians and to practice basic math skills necessary in the occupation. The first section provides a brief introduction to the…