Book Description

John W. Budd contends that the turbulence of the current workplace and the importance of work for individuals and society make it vitally important that employment be given "a human face." Contradicting the traditional view of the employment relationship as a purely economic transaction, with business wanting efficiency and workers wanting income, Budd argues that equity and voice are equally important objectives. The traditional narrow focus on efficiency must be balanced with employees' entitlement to fair treatment (equity) and the opportunity to have meaningful input into decisions (voice), he says. Only through a greater respect for these human concerns can broadly shared prosperity, respect for human dignity, and equal appreciation for the competing human rights of property and labor be achieved.

Budd proposes a fresh set of objectives for modern democracies—efficiency, equity, and voice—and supports this new triad with an intellectual framework for analyzing employment institutions and practices. In the process, he draws on scholarship from industrial relations, law, political science, moral philosophy, theology, psychology, sociology, and economics, and advances debates over free markets, globalization, human rights, and ethics. He applies his framework to important employment-related topics, such as workplace governance, the New Deal industrial relations system, comparative industrial relations, labor union strategies, and globalization. These analyses create a foundation for reforming employment practices, social norms, and public policies. In the book's final chapter, Budd advocates the creation of the field of human resources and industrial relations and explores the wider implications of this renewed conceptualization of industrial relations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent look at the full scope of Employment Relationship
John Budd brings into focus something that is not always looked at in the employment relationship. He has brought ideas that helped me better understand why just $$$ is not sufficient in this ever changing world in order to retain good employees. New Human Resouces practices are starting to see this, but not able to explain why this trend is occuring. Budd gives an excellent overview of why employers need to do more than just 'show me the money' in finding and retaining good talent.

I think he develops a key point in talking about employee voice. Employee's need to know they are heard, even if the management can't necessarily do anything about it. If you want to know more, read Budd's book. ... Read more

Book Description

What went wrong and how can America become second to none in industrial productivity? This long awaited study by a team of top notch MIT scientists and economists - the MIT Commission on Industrial Productivity - takes a hard look at the recurring weaknesses of American industry that are threatening the country's standard of living and its position in the world economy. Made in America identifies what is best and worth replicating in American industrial practice and sets out five national priorities for regaining the productive edge.

Unlike other studies that prescribe macroeconomic cures, Made in America focuses on the reorganization and effective integration of human resources and new technologies within the firm as a principal driving force for long term growth in productivity.

Made in America examines the relationship between human resources and technological change in detail and singles out the most significant productivity weaknesses from the myriad causes that are typically cited. These include shorttime horizons and a preoccupation with the bottom line, outdated strategies that focus excessively on the domestic market, lack of cooperation within and among U.S. firms, neglect of human resources, technological failures in translating discoveries to products, and a mismatch between governmental actions and the needs of industry.

Looking ahead Made in America asserts that industrial performance would improve substantially simply by building on what is best in U.S. industry. It describes representative systems of production that can serve as models of best industrial practice for niche producers, price competitive specialized producers, and flexible mass producers.

Among the goals singled out as national priorities are the creation of a new economic citizenship that involves welleducated workers as active partners in the reproduction process, a new strategic focus on production, finding a better balance between cooperation and individualism, learning to live in an increasingly international economy, and making proper provision for the future both in terms of capital and human resources.

The findings and goals of Made in America are based on such measures of productivity performance as product quality, innovativeness, time to market, and service in eight manufacturing sectors - semiconductors, computers, and office equipment; automobiles; steel; consumer electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals; textiles; machine tools; and commercial aircraft. These measures revealed a large gap between the best and average U.S. practice.

Michael L. Dertouzos. is Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Director of MIT's Laboratory of Computer Science. Robert M. Solow is Institute Professor of Economics, and Richard K. Lester is Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering, ... Read more

Book Description

A sabbatical may be just the change you need. More and more men and women are successfully taking an extended break from their jobs—a sabbatical. Once the exclusive preserve of academics, sabbaticals are revitalizing today’s business world. Recognizing that the decision to take a sabbatical is a major step, Lisa Rogak mixes a wealth of practical how-to facts and advice with the real-life stories of over forty professionals detailing every aspect of the process. Whether you want the time off to travel, explore other careers, discover new interests, go back to school, stay with your family, do volunteer work, or simply slow down and recharge your batteries, you’ll find information on:

• Approaching your boss and negotiating the leave you want
• Turning your sabbatical into a career asset
• Determining your eligibility for the Family Medical Leave Act
• Financing a sabbatical creatively
• Preparing and planning to get the most out of your time off
• Troubleshooting a sabbatical that’s not working out
• Adjusting to the workplace once your sabbatical is over

Reviews (1)

Tired of being a slave? Quit! (For awhile at least...)
Curious about taking time off from work? This book provides great advice and inspiration on doing it. It's very similar to the book Six Months Off (see my review of that one), and you'll need to make the decision between them or decide to read both. I found that Six Months Off provides more ideas on what to do during your time off, especially terrific programs that would enhance both your life and professional resumes. Time Off From Work provides better coverage of the before and after concerns. Both do a great job of providing real-life case studies of people who've done it. In fact, the author of this book even covers one of the co-authors of Six Months Off as an example. In short, if you're stuck on the how's and why's then read this book; if you're convinced you want and can manage to take a sabbatical but don't have a clear idea of how to make the most of it, then read Six Months Off instead. ... Read more

Book Description

This book reviews techniques of dynamic optimization and shows how they can be applied to the management of various resource systems. In addition, it highlights the theory, models, and methods employed in the discipline of resource economics.Professors Conrad and Clark have written this text under the premise that the theory and concepts in this field are more quickly learned and made operational through numerical examples. By working through the problems at the end of each chapter, readers will learn the techniques that may be used in empirical studies of natural resources systems. Specifically, the chapters deal with renewable resources, nonrenewable resources, environmental management, and stochastic resource models, in addition to dynamic optimization. ... Read more

Book Description

For Federal employees, the avenue toward protecting their rights is winding and sometimes, full of potholes. Now, the lawyers of Passman and Kaplan --- a noted Washington law firm --- have compiled a guide book that every agency employee will want to consult. This road map steers the employee onto the right path.

Which route, the MSPB or the EEOC? Or maybe both? How much time to file? What if an appeal is necessary? When should the case go straight to the judge? What if a security clearance is revoked? Theres even a separate chapter for postal employees. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

get it before you need it
If you work a gov'ment job you need this book. It spells out your rights in dealing with managers and co-workers. Buy it and study it and keep it in your desk at work.

A MUST HAVE FOR ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
If you are a federal employee it is imperative to have and refer to this book in order to protect your rights and privileges on and off the job.It contains a great amount of information that is well worth the price.I only wish it were updated (the current edition was printed in 1999), but even that factor is of little import when you consider the benefit of the information it contains.It is thorough, well written and packed with resources. Since it is published by a legal firm that deals with federal employment cases, it is filled with situations that a current federal employee might face on the job.

the holy grail is found!
seriously, for those of us fortunate enough(or is that unfortunate enough?) to work for the federal government, this book is by far the most complete reference work available. keep a copy on your desk and watch your supervisor "wince" as you quote your rights verbatim from the text. it is an easy read and thoroughly details rather complex topics and situations relating to any federal employee's work environment. i've used it repeatedly as a reference guide and to plan strategy in my day to day dealings with co-workers and "pea-brained" manager types. i raise my glass to the author.....cheers!

An excellent Book
This book is an excellent reference for those who work in the public sector for Uncle Sam.Explains all of the hoops that you have to jump through in order to solve almost any work-related problems. ... Read more

Book Description

Depicts the relatively unrecognized but highly dramatic confrontation culminating at Blair Mountain in West Virginia, between unionized mineworkers, mine owners, and the federal government in the largest armed uprising since the Civil War.

The Battle of Blair Mountain covers a profoundly significant but long-neglected slice of American history - the largest armed uprising on American soil since the Civil War. In 1921, some 10,000 West Virginia coal miners, outraged over years of brutality and lawless exploitation, picked up their Winchesters and marched against their tormentors, the powerful mine owners who ruled their corrupt state. For ten days the miners fought a pitched battle against an opposing legion of deputies, state police, and makeshift militia. Only the intervention of a federal expeditionary force, spearheaded by a bomber squadron commanded by General Billy Mitchell, ended this undeclared civil war and forced the miners to throw down their arms. The significance of this episode reaches beyond the annals of labor history. Indeed, it is a saga of the conflicting political, economic and cultural forces that shaped the power structure of 20th century America.

... Read more

Book Description

Over the course of a two hundred year period, women's domestic labor gradually lost its footing as a recognized aspect of economic life in America.The image of the colonial "goodwife," valued for her contribution to household prosperity, had been replaced by the image of a "dependent" and a "non-producer."This book is a history of housework in the United States prior to the Civil War.More particularly, it is a history of women's unpaid domestic labor in the context of the emergence of an industrialized society in the northern United States.Boydston argues that just as a capitalist economic order had first to teach that wages were the measure of a man's worth, it had at the same time, implicitly or explicitly, to teach that those who did not draw wages were dependent and not essential to the "real economy."Developing a striking account of the gender and labor systems that characterized industrializing America, Boydston explains how this effected the devaluation of women's unpaid labor. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The labors of a housewife -- now and then
Boydson goes to prove that the average woman ha had to work long and hard hours that have been often under paid and overworked while the men get their payment, the women must endure long hours and work extra hard.Thisbook seeks to tell how the women have built the economy and have been oneof the major leaders yet do not get the credit that they deserve.Thinkabout the long hours put in spinning, canning, and doing the house workwithout air conditioning and yet still how it is today! This si the book toread for all historians. ... Read more

Book Description

Why are pension funds so large and benefits so small? This examination of the 120-year-old American system of privatized social insurance - often called, at 1.7 trillion dollars, the biggest lump of money in the world - reveals that the system fails to provide adequate retirement income security, its most prominent goal, and, in fact, its greatest influence is in supplying funds to U.S. capital markets.

Linking market forces, historical movements, and social norms in the evolution of pensions, Ghilarducci's study is the first to focus on all major aspects of the system. Its trenchant analysis of the many sides of pensions and pension policy addresses questions of whom the system benefits, its direct and social costs, and the possibilities of reforms that would take into account the related problems of capital formation and retirement income.

Ghilarducci describes the history of pension funds and the involvement of unions in bargaining. She takes up the "moral hazard" involved in the conflicting interests of corporations and their employees, tackling issues of information availability and inequality of pension distribution based on sex, race, and job hierarchy. And in two chapters, each focusing on corporate and union uses of pension funds, she covers such topics as tax breaks, the effect of corporate takeovers, the use of pensions to pay back debt, and the kinds of skimming that can occur despite government regulation of pension activities. Ghilarducci concludes by presenting an ideal pension plan that would benefit both employer and employee and by offering predictions about pension plans of the future. Teresa Ghilarducci is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Notre Dame. ... Read more

Book Description

In the second edition of her landmark book Negotiating at an Uneven Table, Phyllis Beck Kritek explores the process of resolving conflicts in situations where unacknowledged inequity influences disputes and their outcomes. Substantially revised and expanded, this new edition will help open minds and balance the negotiation process. Throughout the book, Kritek challenges traditional approaches to dealing with inequities at the negotiation table and offers alternatives for reframing the process. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

It's all about me
Usually I read a book because I'm interested in the subject matter. Unfortunately the author seems to think that I'm reading the book because I'm interested in HER. Big difference.

Everything in this book seems to be about the author: her opinions; her stories; her realizations; her points of view. In some way, all books are a bit like this, but usually authors learn how to put themselves and their egos in the background, and write about the SUBJECT from their personal point of view. This author doesn't do that... it's about HER, and her struggles with the subject materials.

It's similar to sitting at the very back of a theatre. The folk up front are watching the show, but you are watching the audience watching the show. The back of the theatre, unfortunately, is where Ms. Kritek places us.

I had a strong sense of the author using the book as a venue for complaint, rather than an exploration of the intricate dynamics of negotiation.

New edition available
This title has been replaced by a substantially revised paperback edition, published January 2002, titled Negotiating at an Uneven Table : Developing Moral Courage in Resolving Our Conflicts (ISBN: 0787959375). The new edition is available on this website.

New edition available -- please read
This title has been replaced by a substantially revised and highly recommended paperback edition, published January 2002, titled Negotiating at an Uneven Table : Developing Moral Courage in Resolving Our Conflicts (ISBN: 0787959375). The new edition is available on this website.

Worthless redundant dribble
I began reading this book with high expectations, and was sorely disappointed. The author has a few noble ideas, but the book really isn't about negotiation or conflict resolution at all. If anything, the book's sole purpose is to give its author a venue for complaining about the injustices she suffers because she is a woman and a nurse. The author is extremely verbose and redundant and offers few valid suggestions for real conflict resolution. Save your money. Don't buy this book.

Beyond Manipulating When Your Powerless in a Conflict
This book explores the gnarly process of resolving conflicts in situations where imbalances of power hamper constructive outcomes. The author outlines "ten ways of being" to responsibly address inequalities and diversity. This book is worth it's weight in gold for anyone who is tempted to follow the paths of manipulation and maneuvering out of frustration over unsuccessful attempts at relationship improvement. ... Read more

Book Description

We are not shy about reporting human rights abuses around the globe. We are much more reluctant to recognize them at home. This book exposes the violations of human rights witnessed daily in workplaces across our country. Based on detailed case studies in a variety of sectors, it reveals an "unfair advantage" in U.S. law and practice that allows employers to fire or otherwise punish thousands of workers as they seek to exercise their rights of association and to exclude millions more from laws that protect their rights to bargain and to organize.

Unfair Advantage approaches workers’ use of organizing, collective bargaining, and strikes as an exercise of basic rights where workers are autonomous actors, not objects of unions’ or employers’ institutional interests. Both historical experience and a review of current conditions around the world indicate that strong, independent, democratic trade unions are vital for societies where human rights are respected. In Lance Compa’s view, human rights cannot flourish where workers’ rights are not enforced. While researching workers’ exercise of these rights in different industries, occupations, and regions of the United States, Human Rights Watch found that freedom of association is under severe, often buckling pressure when workers in the United States try to exercise it. Cornell University Press is making this valuable report, originally published in August 2000, available again as a paperback with a new introduction and conclusion that bring the story up-to-date. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Impassioned, intelligent voices
Finding it ironic that Westerners are most familiar with the veiled, hidden Muslim woman, Haeri, (Iranian-born director of the Women's Studies Program at BU) introduces six unveiled, professional Pakistani women who talk about their families, childhood, marriages, struggles, politics, religion and work. These in-depth interviews reveal cross-cultural commonalities among women in family and work relationships as well as deep divides between Western and Pakistani attitudes toward women. Several make a distinction between Islam and tradition, saying men interpret religion to reinforce patriarchal culture, a point which is best articulated by Sufi feminist, Nilofar Ahmed. She explains that a lot of accepted knowledge is a matter of interpretation, "and we did not find any female scholars in this line. ...Even the most sincere male scholar with the best of intentions could not look at the law from a woman's point of view."

They are all university-educated English speakers and several have done advanced studies abroad. Each describes herself as "different" from other women, by which she means determined, rebellious and independent and, usually, as a child, interested in "boy" activities. Most were encouraged in their education, at least until they got married. Divorce or separation and child custody are discussed at length as well as difficulties (and advantages) of extended family living. Though women worldwide still marry to escape the parental yoke, Western women get to make their own mistakes. These Pakistani women made arranged marriages and three were unhappy. Another, a widow, describes her husband in the same breath and repeatedly as "wonderful" and "difficult," "special" and "bad-tempered." Several found it easier to work and continue education with the support gained from an extended family, several found the demands of in-laws suffocating and demoralizing. Marital separation, leaving aside financial considerations, is difficult for a woman who loses her children (considered to belong to the father), is condemned by family and society, and, if she tries to pursue any kind of independent life, is assumed to be of loose morals.

One intriguing woman lives two lives - a government official in Lahore, and a feudal lord in her rural village. In Lahore somemen refuse to work for her because of her sex, but in the village feudal position trumps gender. Men and women rely on her for advice, financial aid, arbitration, even spiritual counseling and healing. Born to a second marriage, Ayesha was treated like a boy by a man with no sons. Though proud of this and of her ability to "act like a man," several years after her interview with Haeri, after studying (War Studies) abroad and marrying, she writes Haeri that this posture destroyed "my sensuality, my appreciation of the other sex." Ayesha also has complex dealings with family - legal wrangling over property coupled with a desire for closeness; severe parental restrictions coupled with demanding expectations.

Parental restrictions are a common complaint, followed in due course by marital restrictions - brought about by precepts of "izzat" or honor. Woman must be pure and her behavior reflects on her family or husband. "Hence, the threat of women's mobility and autonomy," Haeri explains in her succinct, illuminating introduction. All of these women are politically active (one builds sanitary facilities for the poor, several are involved in education and human rights) and one, Rahila Tiwana, suffered torture in police custody, though she denies reports of sexual assault, saying her family was too well-respected. Rape, Haeri explains, is used to dishonor men, by besmirching the purity of their women.

Haeri lets each woman speak in her own voice and speak they do. The interviews come alive with passion, intimacy and intellectual power. Independence comes at the price of loneliness and conflict, even separation from children and family. The author follows each interview with her own comments and conclusions and while her structure is academic, her prose is clear and her opinions insightful. This is a text designed for college use, with copious footnotes, bibliography and index, but it's also a fascinating view into Pakistani culture, history and religious thought for the general reader.

Recommended for college-level collections
Shahla Haeri's No Shame For The Sun: Lives Of Professional Pakistani Women is recommended for college-level collections specializing in both women's studies and Middle East history. This surveys the lives of professional Pakistani women in chapters which document both political and social thought in Pakistani society. ... Read more

Book Description

This work provides detailed accounts of labor regulation, with a focus on law, in East Asian nations. The book also discusses the differences in labor regulation between those nations and between East Asian and Western societies. Countries covered include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Managed to stay Awake....
Well, I must admit I thought that this book would be BORING, but it was actually pretty interesting. I was surprised. It had a lot of information about unions, and I was able to form a non-biased opinion about them from this book. It is worth the read if you want to know more about the Labor Relations Process.

Excellent review of labor relations
Mind you - I am a bit prejudiced because William Holley was largely responsible for my interest in Human Resources while at Auburn UniverSity. This book is an exceptional review of the whole Labor Ralations history and processes. It is a great reference book for HR professionals covering all of the legal aspects of labor relations. ... Read more

Book Description

A Mouthful of Rivets is the oral history of the women who took partin World War II on the homefront. In more than one hundred interviews, Nancy Baker Wise and Christy Wise create a textured portrait of the challenges and triumphs these powerful women experienced. Each woman vividly describes how she overcame discrimination, harassment, emotional and physical challenges, and inadequate training to successfully meet the needs of defense production while bringing the American economy to its height.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Interesting Approach
The authors of this book took an interesting approach to writing this historical book. It is written as an oral narrative of the women who lived and worked during World War II. Each chapter begins with some comments and clarifications from the authors describing a following short conversation from the women that they talked to in researching the book. These narratives were helpful with understanding what the women were talking about. "A Mouthful of Rivets" takes the reader from the beginning of World War II, until after the war ended and the women were faced with unemployment. The trials and tribulations each woman and her family faced were beautifully reconstructed in their own words. We learn what is was like for these young, courageous women to bravely enter a predominantely male work force; and we watch them suffer the humiliation of having to step aside from their jobs to go back to the kitchen once the soldiers returned from war. It was neat to read the stories that they had to tell. They were very compelling and put life in a different perspective from the way we live today. The reason that I only gave this book 3 stars was because it was a bit difficult for me to read. It took me awhile to muddle through the unfamiliar writing styles of these two authors because it doesn't read like a novel at all. Just as I was really getting into the story a woman was telling, the chapter was through and I was plunged into a different topic altogether. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this period of time, but it does take some patience to adjust to this form of writing. ... Read more

Book Description

Asks and answers the questions how can we reduce the dropout rate?Why does the motivation to learn decline as the age increases for most youth?Are we training or educating students?How can we identify and develop their talents?Read this very interesting book for some startling answers! ... Read more

Book Description

The inequalities that persist in America have deep historical roots. Evelyn Nakano Glenn untangles this complex history in a unique comparative regional study from the end of Reconstruction to the eve of World War II. During this era the country experienced enormous social and economic changes with the abolition of slavery, rapid territorial expansion, and massive immigration, and struggled over the meaning of free labor and the essence of citizenship as people who previously had been excluded sought the promise of economic freedom and full political rights.

After a lucid overview of the concepts of the free worker and the independent citizen at the national level, Glenn vividly details how race and gender issues framed the struggle over labor and citizenship rights at the local level between blacks and whites in the South, Mexicans and Anglos in the Southwest, and Asians and haoles (the white planter class) in Hawaii. She illuminates the complex interplay of local and national forces in American society and provides a dynamic view of how labor and citizenship were defined, enforced, and contested in a formative era for white-nonwhite relations in America.