Human Factors, Organizational Design, and Productivity: Alternative Management Systems

The American labor force is presently undergoing an evolutionary change which contains certain implications with respect to the ways in which organizations are designed and managed. The principal trends which have emerged are: the changing composition of the labor force, changing attitudes and values of the individual worker, and the emergence of alternative management systems (herein termed quality of work life programs) as a response to cope with this evolution. Many of these programs are concerned with varying the structure and design of the organization, redesign of the work environment, and the adoption of alternative management styles and methods. In an era of slower growth, declining productivity, and stiffer world wide competition, the solution to “people problems” is now just as consequential as is the introduction of new technologies and the generation of capital. Evidence is rapidly mounting that quality of work life programs do appear to be of help in achieving the desirable goals of improved quality and productivity, and increased job satisfaction on the part of the worker. Such programs are not, of course, unique to American organizations. This symposium includes a discussion of programs employed in West Germany and in Japan as well as in the United States. American programs presented include those of the subsidiary of a Japanese firm, and those of two large, highly successful organizations with outstanding records of employee relations and quality of work life programs. Time will be available for audience interaction and questions.