The author reports on the academic job market that is showing signs of turning around after a multiyear slump. Job-outlook data released by professional associations in recent months show an uptick in the number of jobs available in several fields, including history, the humanities and foreign languages, sociology, geography, and political…

Since U.S. economic growth began to slow in 2006, both the Bush and Obama Administrations have enacted a number of fairly costly programs designed to stimulate the economy and employment growth. Because many of these programs are fairly new, there has been little comprehensive examination of their impacts, but initial analysis suggests that these…

In a recent survey, most managers and blue-collar workers indicated that the availability of job modifications would alter their retirement plans. Such an alternative can alleviate some job-related problems of older workers and permit an organization to capitalize fully upon these employees' skills. (SK)

As a job changes, person-job fit is likely to change. A number of factors affect older workers' ability and choice to adjust to job changes: individual factors (knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, attractiveness of retirement); and organizational (orientation to workplace changes, the redesigned job, training, support, personnel practices,…

Describes the history of the Al-Ind-Esk-A Sea, a floating fish processing factory representing a major hope for the economic independence of Alaska Natives residing outside the state. Discusses employment practices in effect on the ship. Notes interesting facts about the ship's engines and fittings. (SB)

An analysis of 51 manufacturing and nonmanufacturing industries indicates a substantial variation among different types of businesses with respect to the type of workers hired. The analysis is extended to form a typology of industries that is useful to local development groups in formulating a strategy to employ groups of special concern.…

Describes program innovations to keep older workers employed: retraining, job sharing, flexible working hours, job redesign, and phased retirement. Addresses costs and savings, disincentives for workers and employers, and future trends. (SK)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a function that transcends, but includes, making profits, creating jobs, and producing goods and services. The effectiveness with which corporations perform this function determines their contribution (or lack of contribution) to social cohesion. This article therefore presents a discussion of some of the…

Changes in work rules are moving the workplace away from rigid labor practices created by labor/management. A more flexible structure is evolving that can adapt to new technology and provide new products at competitive cost. Discusses the movement and the impact of international competition/deregulation on the trend. (JN)

Describes the process of staff selection for the general studies department at Piedmont Technical College. Makes suggestions on how to write a job description, establish selection criteria, develop the selection process, and make the selection itself. Includes sample forms used in the process. (DR)

From a sample of 368 work organizations, organizational characteristics are explored that favor proliferation of detailed job titles to describe work roles. Proliferation is linked to administrative imperatives, internal labor task struggles, and institutional environmental influence on personnel practices. Titles' fragmentation imposes status…

Pettigrew and Martin overstate the causal priority of structure over social psychology in maintaining barriers to equal employment and downplay the importance of the research they review. Braddock and McPartland present a plausible case for the existence of institutional barriers to equal employment, but their research is not conclusive. (PS)

Investments in technology and the number of workers using computers are growing quickly and at an increasing rate. From 1990-1995, investments in computers and related equipment tripled. Real (inflation-adjusted dollars) investments in computers and peripheral equipment increased from $200 million in 1973 to $91.6 billion in 1995. Increasing…

Examines the growing trend towards corporate-sponsored training in business and industry. Discusses elements of a corporate university and the benefits this type of training provides for employers and employees. Interviews staff from three corporations to obtain their opinions of corporate-sponsored training. (SNR)

Presents characteristics of a good salary plan and identifies benefits of a job classification and wage scale system. Lists steps to follow to develop wage scale and job classification policies for a child care center. Includes a table relating proposed staff qualifications, staff responsibilities, and wage scales. (DLH)