The "bounce" (coined by students at Susan Leigh's last campus) refers to the amount of time students spent chasing signatures and removing often-unnecessary registration "holds" in order to attend their classes. Leigh explains that all this chaos from complex, separately housed transactional business processes has led to the…

There is no doubt that the American economy is in the midst of a major restructuring. While the consequences are not yet fully apparent, two powerful implications for higher education have become clear. First, because solutions to the nation's problems will require a highly educated work force, the demands on colleges can only increase. Second,…

Discusses the benefits of combining a quality circles program with a work simplification program. Points out that both require participative management and that their combination can improve the effectiveness of quality circles. (JOW)

Shows how jobs can be designed so that both satisfaction and performance result. Five satisfaction-oriented and five performance-oriented implementing concepts are discussed and summarized in tables. (Author/JD)

This essay contends that the notion of new jobs created by technological advance is a myth; that in reality the direction is a persistent downgrading of skills and elimination of jobs. The potentially serious effects of these trends on society, and implications for vocational education, are discussed. (JB)

Suggests ways of improving productivity for public libraries faced with increased accountability, dwindling revenues, and continuing inflation. Techniques described include work simplification, work analysis, improved management, and employee motivation. (RAA)

Defines "batch files," claiming that they can shorten many complicated computer procedures. Describes how batch file was created using the computer program "PC-Write" to streamline the process of creating a work disk and increase students' computer literacy. Lists and discusses each element in the file. Provides references for…

Robots are machines designed to replace human labor. A fear of vast unemployment due to robots seems unfounded, however, since industrialization creates many more jobs and automation requires technologists to build, program, maintain, and operate sophisticated equipment. Robots possess an intelligence unit, a manipulator, and an end effector.…

Presents a critique of Taylor's scientific management theory and the negative consequences of work simplification. Compares this method with Maslow's, Herzberg's, and Thorsrud's theories of motivation, and contrasts the experiences of General Motors' application of Taylor's model and General Foods' application of Thorsrud's. (SK)

Humorously describes the "dumbing down/smartening up" phenomenon which, on the one hand, attempts to convey complex ideas in simple language, but on the other hand may water down the material so much that readers will never have to tackle even a moderately challenging reading task on their own. (RS)

This article discusses the impact of technology on the formation of skills and the career advancement of persons who are blind or visually impaired. It concludes that dependence on technology (computerization and automation) and the mechanistic aspects of jobs may trap blind and visually impaired workers in occupations with narrow career paths…

The changes to be effected by high technology in both projected employment growth and existing jobs seem to require significant changes in the American educational system. However, government estimates for the period 1978-90 suggest that employment growth will favor jobs that require little or no training beyond the high school level (for…

The need for increased industrial productivity has become great in American society. If America is not to be outstripped by foreign competitors, worker productivity must be increased. Industrial arts can play a part in increasing productivity by fostering productive ideas in students. Attempts at work redesign have led to short-term increases in…

In this presentation, Craig D. Musick, director of training for the Graniteville Company in South Carolina and president of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), focuses on how research can contribute to a better understanding of the vocational training process. He states that only by working together with the schools can…

As labor-saving, efficiency-increasing electronic technology is introduced into offices, jobs held by women will change. Although some jobs may be lost, most job loss will be absorbed by attrition and reduction of waste. Fewer new openings may occur in office jobs, however, especially in a recessionary economy. On the other hand, the jobs that are…