A MARKET RESEARCH APPROACH TO DETERMINING LOCAL LABOR MARKET AVAILABILITY FOR NON-MANAGEMENT JOBS

As an alternative approach to setting affirmative action hiring targets, preferences for non-management jobs were explored using a research technique known as conjoint measurement or trade-off analysis. A general population sample and an applicant sample were surveyed in two cities. Results showed sharp differences in job preferences between men and women. It was also found that women were less interested in non-traditional telephone work than men—probably because the jobs that are non-traditional for women were outdoors, dirty, and had a higher chance of injury. The research technique also permitted the identification of the demographic characteristics of those people who are interested in non-traditional work.     

Communication Schemata Within the Family

Analyses from a random sample of 169 families established a dear relationship between schemata for marital and parent-child communication. Hypotheses were derived by theoretically relating the Relational Dimensions Inventory and the Revised Family Communication Patterns instrument. In families headed by Traditional, Separate, and Separate/Traditional couples, all three family members saw the family interaction as high on conformity orientation. In families headed by Independent and Traditional couples, all three family members saw the family interaction as high on conversational orientation. In general, couple types dovetail with the various family types. For example, Traditional couples have Consensual family interaction patterns in that they value conformity and conversation. Families who share the same family communication schemata appear to agree on a number of other dimensions of family life. A new scale, Family Communication Environment, which may be used to tap into family communication schemata, is presented.