Team briefing, a technique used to communicate information to employees on issues of concern, is examined in three different establishments. Problems in the way it is practiced are identified, with the suggestion that its appropriateness and effectiveness may depend on the type of company or service in question. (SK)

Data from two surveys of manufacturers (325 of 650 responded) suggest that those with quality improvement programs jointly administered by labor and management achieve significantly greater improvements than those with no programs. Those with programs administered solely by management fared no better than those with no programs. (Author/SK)

The rapid technological changes and competitive pressure of Western economies are breathing new life into efforts to establish partnerships between workers and management. A lower union membership rate, less government regulation, and outmoded legislation may hinder such arrangements to a greater extent in the United States than in Europe. (Author)

Studies how public relation efforts affected labor dispute negotiations during the 1946 steel strike. Finds that neither national nor local public relations campaigns had any impact on the resolution of the strike. Suggests that national campaigns, in fact, may have confused the community by offering messages that did not correspond to the local…

In May 1985, the Representative Assembly of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) adopted a resolution calling for a comprehensive review of labor relations among teachers, school boards, and school management. The Far West Laboratory was engaged to design a survey of ACSA members. A questionnaire was designed and circulated…

Examined self-reports of grievants (N=324) concerning characteristics of grievance-filing and perceived outcomes. Results showed the level at which a grievance was settled played an unimportant role; resolution of different types of grievances affected relations with union and management. Nature of settlement and grievance type were perceived as…

Confirms the debilitating effects of accountability on bargaining. Finds that (1) when accountable, bargainers with authority strayed further from group's position but deviated less on their final offer; (2) delegated authority significantly reduced the number of deadlocks; and (3) high self monitors strayed less from group's position but deviated…

Examined the conditions under which union members were willing to support their union in a conflict. Hypothesized that readiness to support union action is a function of the individual's estimates of costs and benefits. Anticipated costs and benefits of a collective, social, and material nature accounted for the variance. (Author/ABB)

Based on a survey and case studies of workplaces in the U.S. and Japan, this article reviews and assesses the role of worker participation in tackling critical problems associated with energy and natural resources conservation. Certain wider implications for labor-management relations are also discussed. (Author/CT)

Based on interviews and participant-observation, a matrix of nine categories is proposed that classifies teachers in unions according to the intensity of their identification with the union ("us") and the union leadership's opponents ("them"). A complex image of teacher activism emerges, providing material for further research.…

Industrial recreation is becoming an important company support service. Budgets for recreation are modest compared to services offered and additional sources are needed. Employees take an active part in administration of programs. Competitive athletics, special social programs and local services are popular. (JAC)

Women's share of employment in personnel and labor relations occupations grew from 30 percent in 1970 to 58 percent in 1989. Female personnel managers' earnings remained two-thirds of men's between 1986 and 1989. At least two-thirds of 1979 earnings differences reflected gender differences for age, education, and extent of work. (SK)

In this analysis of 1,815 arbitration cases in British Columbia in 1982-85, bias is identified in the bivariate estimates of the probability of management wins by industry and issue. Bivariate estimate errors in these cases can result from failure of estimates to adjust for the effects of omitted variables. (TJH)

Examines differences between Japanese and North American personnel management philosophies. Considers to what extent practices of Japanese corporations have been transferred to subsidiaries in Canada, India, Malaysia, and Singapore, compared to locally owned firms. Shows how cultural factors affect styles of personnel management. (SK)

A study of employment practices in unionized workplaces received 1,579 responses indicating that organizations tend to cut employees without considering the long-term costs and implications. Smaller workplaces were less likely to have had reductions in the workforce. (JOW)