Data from 841 Michigan manufacturing firms indicates that employee participation programs contribute substantially more to business performance in unionized than in nonunionized firms. Profit and gain sharing had more impact on performance in nonunionized firms. (SK)

A 1994-96 survey of Alabama human resource managers indicated that unions deterred the use of flexible arrangements; subcontracting was positively related to core employees' wages; and flexible staffing was associated with core employee hiring costs and low-cost production strategies. Core employees gained job security through use of flexible…

Productivity and employment data were collected from nine manufacturing plants at monthly intervals over a period of four to five years, during which time cooperative labor-management programs were introduced. Results showed productivity increased in six of eight firms and employment remained stable in eight of the nine. (Author/SK)

Results of 196 usable surveys from and 22 interviews with union organizers showed that some service sector and pink-collar occupation organizers used different organizing styles in predominantly female occupations. Female organizers, especially in manufacturing unions, tended to be explicitly gender conscious. (SK)

A survey of 498 firms that applied for Michigan Job Opportunity Bank-Upgrade grants received 157 responses, including 66 grant recipients. Data showed receipt of grants associated with large, significant (though one-time) increase in training hours and lasting reduction in product scrap rates. (SK)

Data from the Worker-Establishment Characteristics Database demonstrate that (1) interplant sex segregation in U.S. manufacturing is substantial, especially in blue-collar occupations; (2) female managers tend to work in the same plants as female supervisees; and (3) interplant sex segregation accounts for a substantial portion of the male-female…

Data on 48 Japanese manufacturing plants suggest that participative decision making has not led to workplace democracy. Although workers are allowed to present ideas and suggestions, they do not have authority to make decisions, particularly in strategic, organizationwide situations. (SK)

This study examined the impact of local labor market conditions on the financial losses of dislocated manufacturing workers. It found that strong overall growth in the local economy reduced economic losses of white collar workers but not of blue collar workers. (JOW)

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)

Empirical analysis of 26 Canadian strikes finds strikes profitable, Industries

Data from the international Work Socialization of Youth project (1988-90) were analyzed for office technology workers and machine operators in six European countries. Organizational and societal factors had greater influence on part-time/temporary employment than did job search strategies, gender, or age. (SK)