Discusses research that looked at the actions, policies, and responses of organizations concerning training issues and substance abuse. Found that without training, an organization cannot successfully wage the war against alcohol and drug abuse at work. (JOW)

A survey of 83 quality circle members determined that there was no single variable that consistently emerged as the most important contributor to the effectiveness of quality circles. Member training did appear to be stronger than the other variables. (JOW)

The balance of power in the United States has begun to shift from youth to older age and will not soon return to a more familiar proportion. Human resource development professionals need to help their companies respond to the needs of older workers and older customers. (JOW)

Human resources development must be oriented toward the achievement of all objectives of organizational performance: Quality, efficiency, societal impact, employee impact. Three fundamental phases in developing a work design strategy (for improving organizational effectiveness) are explained. (BM)

This special report looks at the new economy from the point of view of the worker. It examines the impact of changing competitive standards and emerging organizational structures on knowledge and skill requirements in the U.S. work force. (Author)

An increasing number of free agent or self-directed learners are getting their education outside their companies. As a result, they demand more of their corporate training departments and expect more from their jobs and companies. (JOW)

New technology and management styles are increasing the level of basic skills required of workers. In a world of global competition and technological change, basic skills education is a survival issue for businesses. (JOW)

Faced with a shrinking labor pool and increasing competition, employers are beginning to take basic workplace skills training into their own hands. Such training involves (1) identifying skills-related job changes or problems; (2) building management and union support; (3) developing a strategy; (4) performing task analysis; (5) designing and…

Diversity has become a business issue because it affects performance. Only a few companies are training managers and formulating policies for managing diversity, but all will have to face the issue during the next decade. (JOW)