This research note sets out to explain the main features of the French university academic career--the ''coconut tree,'' as it is colloquially known, setting it firmly within a social and cultural context; outlining the logic and functions of career stages, explaining its rituals and conventions, its rewards and pitfalls. These are narrated by two…

The Feedback Environment, as opposed to the formal performance appraisal process, is comprised of the daily interactions between members of an organization (Steelman, Levy, & Snell, in press). Relations between the feedback environment and work outcome variables such as Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) were examined through the mediating…

Describes person-environment (PE) theory, pertinent studies and experiments in improving PE fit, advocating research on role of past, present, and anticipated PE fit on well-being and employee behavior; outcomes when PE fit is changed by altering P, E, or some combination; and considering the agent of change. Emphasizes systemic properties of…

Despite the tremendous growth of telework and other forms of virtual work, little is known about its impact on organizational commitment and turnover intentions, nor the mechanisms through which telework operates. Drawing upon the conservation of resources model as the theoretical framework, I posit telework's impact is the result of resource…

Values, are conceptualized in context of work adjustment as reference dimensions for the description of needs. Factor analyses of Minnesota Importance Questionnaire data are presented. Safety, Comfort, Aggrandizement, Altruism, Achievement, and Autonomy are identified. These value dimensions are organized in terms of reinforcement preferences and…

One year after an organization was acquired, 218 employees were surveyed. Covariance structure analysis was used to assess the discriminant validity of stress factors. A distinction between instrumental and emotional social support was found. Results showed how stressors, social support, strain, and coping behaviors come together to influence…

This literature review of 1991-95 occupational health research is classified by key constructs: environmental characteristics, individual characteristics, cognitive appraisal, coping, and health outcomes. Research problems are identified: 77% of studies use a cross-sectional design, 59% use shortened ad hoc scales, and 68% use self-report for both…

Personal style patterns and environmental constraints and opportunities of the workgroup were identified by 367 Navy personnel and 114 supervisors. Personal style predicted different job outcomes--performance, satisfaction, withdrawal--across the organization and within groups. Recognition of personal style and environmental patterns could enhance…

Responses from 343 of 496 business/engineering graduates revealed different patterns of acquisition of information about their new job setting. The 105 who had mentors relied on observation and their mentors, the others on observation and co-workers. Mentored workers learned more about organizational issues and practices. (SK)

Holland's theory provides a means of describing both people and environments. He has developed techniques for assessing and classifying different vocational instruments. His newest measure, the Position Classification Inventory, should stimulate new research in vocational psychology. (49 references) (Author/SK)

Three analyses of data from 197 older employees and their spouses identified work and nonwork factors influencing age of retirement. Finances predicted retirement but health and gender did not. Being tired of working and expecting to work for pay after retirement predicted earlier retirement. (SK)

A survey of job applicants and examination of recruitment processes conducted at nine universities indicated that applicants' attraction to an employer was influenced by familiarity with the firm and the social context. No differences in perceptions of organizational attributes or attraction to the firm appeared between those who had and had not…

This study examined the dynamic interplay among job demands, job control, and work self-determination in order to predict burnout dimensions. A three-way interaction effect was found between job demands, job control and work self-determination in predicting each dimension of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal…

Employed adults were studied with respect to their report of occupational stresses, strains, and coping behaviors using the Occupational Environment Scales. Older repondents reported more overload and responsibility and fewer stresses than did younger respondents. Older respondents also displayed decreasing strain and greater coping resources than…

The mediating effect of organizational "time investments" on the relationship between work environment perceptions and mental health was explored in two work settings. Participants were 257 managerial-level employees in a line organization and 214 in a staff setting. Results are discussed and implications for the social responsibilities of…