This book reports results of a study of the efects of quality of worklife programs and related forms of worker participation on unions and the collective bargaining process. Chapter 1 describes the evolution of worker participation in unionized settings and summarizes basic propositions in models of joint union-management change. In chapter 2 five…

The University of Denver (Colorado) reduced workers' compensation losses 97 percent in 1990-91 by developing a master safety plan, sponsoring safety training, managing medical costs, providing modified duty for injured employees, screening applicants, orienting new employees, investigating claims thoroughly, performing life-safety audits, and…

A study examined the impact on newspaper managers of three emerging technologies: videotex, personal computer networks, and pagination. The study predicted that: (1) the greater the relative advantage and compatibility of a technology, the less likely will the manager need to pursue motivational and controlling measures in getting subordinates to…

Allegations by a resigning employee of intimidation, cover-up, unethical behavior, legal violations, waste, and mismanagement were investigated at a major university, relying on confidential interviews and a review of relevant documentation. The case study of this evaluation illustrates the advantages of a mix of qualitative and quantitative…

The Montgomery County public school system presently provides assistance through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to troubled employees with problems which affect work performance. EAP's mandate is to provide crisis intervention, prereferral evaluation, information, referral, and follow-up services. From its inception to March, 1981, EAP…

The Total Quality Management (TQM) approach is defined and its implementation at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in undergraduate admissions is described. Benefits and challenges of TQM are discussed, first from the perspective of the manager responsible for TQM, then from that of a front-line staff member and TQM team member.…

Increased pressure on the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) to become more involved in distance education compelled UAS to commission a study of the perceptions, problems, and opportunities in the area of distance education as seen by three distinct groups in the university community: students, faculty, and staff (including administrators). The…

A case study used focus groups to examine employee attitudes and concerns. Subjects, about 60 employees and managers of a major university teaching hospital in the southeast, were formed into 4 focus groups to discuss their attitudes. Employees hoped that management would use the information gathered to improve the communication environment and…

The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate the procedure for setting up a school-community relations program. The first chapter describes the following recommended components of such a program: using a programmatic approach, using the five school-community relations processes, and designating the primary responsibilities for the…

This document was produced by the authors based on their research for the report, "Training of Existing Workers: Issues, Incentives and Models," (ED495138) and is an added resource for further information. This support document is divided into the following sections: (1) The Retail Industry--A Snapshot; (2) Case Studies--Hardware, Retail…

The performance review process used for faculty evaluation at Nene College (England) was assessed by surveying appraisers, appraisees, and senior administrators. Most appraisees and appraisers thought that appraisers should be line managers rather than peers, and that classroom observation should be included. Opportunity for staff to communicate…

This paper describes in detail the narrative approach taken in a study of a particular facet of learning in the workplace--how people make sense of change. In unstructured in-depth interviews, employees were encouraged to tell their stories about their organisations, revealing details about the organisational culture and the ways in which this…

This book has been designed to elaborate on what interviewing is in its basic forms and how these various forms can be utilized by the operating supervisor. Its intent is to develop, in simple language, the techniques of successful interviewing. Illustrations of real interviews are presented and the supervisor is encouraged to use role playing as…

The management of workplace change takes place in many industry contexts and micro-settings using a variety of approaches, all of which are widely reported in the academic and professional literature. There is less known about workplace change management in the context of an international company employing large numbers of Mainland Chinese…

Case studies of 19 U.S. companies involved in welfare-to-work programs found that political and economic factors have accelerated the rate at which employers are hiring welfare recipients. Although participation in welfare-to-work programs is dominated by larger firms in a few industries (such as service and retail sectors), there is potential for…