Production control and chronic stress in work organizations

In modern work organizations, production control is aimed particularly at making more intensive (i.e., more effective and more efficient) use of the work capacity. Usually, performance standards are established and their deviations periodically measured. Following this, adjusting and sanctioning action may be taken. This cyclic process, so characteristic of control processes, may contribute to the development of chronic stress. Based on a rough division of working behavior, this article formulates propositions about the relationship between conditions in which production control "intervenes" in the various areas of working behavior and the development of chronic stress. Areas of working behavior are: direct production, socialization, division of work and allocation of resources, sanctioning, and power development. In formulating the propositions on the development of chronic stress, the author applies insights from organization theory and social-psychological and sociological explanations. In order to avoid undue complications, no systematic use is made of insights into the effects of adequate or inadequate coping behavior on the emergence of chronic stress, or illegitimate action by workers who feel the pressure of production control. To arrive at an explanation of chronic stress, an understanding is needed of both the worker's interpretation of threatening stimuli and the worker's behavior within the control system.

Estimating age-stratified WAIS-R IQS from scores on the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices

Total scores of the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) were correlated with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Full Scale IQs (WAIS-R FSIQ) in order to obtain age-stratified estimates of WAIS-R FSIQ (N = 308). Results show a significant positive correlation between age-stratified WAIS-R FSIQ and SPM in all age groups except those 65 and older and between educational level and SPM for all age groups except the very young (16 to 24 years), the 55- to 64-year-olds, and the elderly (65 and older). A multiple regression and cross-validation revealed that race and age also must be used as moderator variables when one is predicting FSIQ in this population. It is concluded that the SPM can be used as an estimate of WAIS-R FSIQ.

Tracking the Personal Values and Goal Commitment of Production and Quality Control Managers

The extent of congruence between managerial values and organisational goals is addressed from the perspective of assessing whether there is sufficient managerial commitment to allow for effective implementation of competitivefirm strategy. A group of production managers is compared with a group of quality control managers, using a hierarchical model reflecting decision‐process goal constraints. Study results reveal that the goal hierarchies of production managers differ significantly from quality control managers. Given the role demands of each manager group, the congruence levels between managerial values and organisational goals are sufficient to satisfy organisational accountability. Several implications for strategic planning are presented.

Communicating probabilistic information to cancer patients: is there 'noise' on the line?

The objective was to examine the way that cancer patients translate verbal descriptors of probability into numerical estimates. A list of words commonly used on consent forms to describe the likelihood for benefits or risks of therapies was provided to 100 cancer patients. Two formats, paper/pencil or computer, were used to provide the list of words. Two methods, magnitude estimation and linear analogue scaling, were used to obtain probability estimates for each word. In addition, two scenarios were developed to study 'context effects' on numerical interpretations of verbal descriptions of probability. All patients provided numerical values for the words on two occasions, separated by one week, and two interviewers collected the data. Regardless of method or format, each word elicited widely variable numerical interpretations. An ANOVA model, including patient, word, interviewer, time, method and format, indicated that patient and interviewer produced major effects on probability estimates. Agreement between methods and across time was good. Paper/pencil and computer formats yielded similar results. Context effects did not appear to influence the numerical probabilities elicited by the 2 scenarios. It was concluded that, within this group of patients, there was no consensus about numerical meaning of a given word, and that interviewers can systematically influence numerical interpretations. There appears to be a great deal of 'noise' in this particular line of communication between patients and health professionals.

Nurse appraisal systems: characteristics and effectiveness

The present research surveyed Directors of Nursing regarding characteristics and effectiveness of their nurse appraisal systems. Results indicated that perceived effectiveness was influenced by process rather than technical characteristics of the system. Implications of the survey findings for the design and maintenance of a nurse appraisal system are discussed.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Factors Mediating the Participative Decision Making Job Satisfaction Linkage

Recent research has attempted to identify mediators of the relationship between participative decision making (PDM) and job satisfaction. The importance of role perceptions and the performance-reward expectancy (E2) as plausible mediators have been established, but theorists have identified additional variables that may have rival or complementary mediational effects. This study identified the plausible mediators and conducted a covariance structure analysis using longitudinal data. Role ambiguity, perceived obstacles, and E2 appeared to partially mediate the relationship between PDM and job satisfaction.

Improving follow-up after an abnormal Pap smear: a randomized controlled trial

Less than 60% of women diagnosed with cervical abnormalities on Pap smears return for proper surveillance and timely treatment. Previous tactics used to motivate these women to return have mainly relied on costly intensive recall efforts. Using a framework based on psychological value expectancy theory, a pamphlet was designed to motivate women with abnormal Pap smears to return for a repeat Pap smear. The effect of this pamphlet was tested in a randomized controlled trial. A total of 161 women with abnormal Pap smears were randomized and received either the pamphlet plus a notification letter or the letter only. The compliance rate was 64.2% in the intervention group and 51.3% in the comparison group (P = 0.10; two-tailed). In addition, subgroups of women who do not practice health-related behaviors were identified as groups where more intensive interventions may be needed. These results have implications for future strategies used to recall women with abnormal Pap smears.