John P. Kohl

The Effects of Demographics on Computer Literacy of University Freshmen

AbstractFour-year colleges and universities have invested time, faculty resources, and financial support in teaching introductory courses in Management Information Systems (MIS). Are these courses necessary? This article reports the development of a questionnaire on computer literacy that was administered to 430 freshmen students taking an introductory MIS course and to 43 students who had completed the course. Differences in performance are analyzed from the perspective of a variety of demographic factors, and the results of the study are reported.

Levi's corporate AIDS programme

AIDS is a contemporary phenomena that has been extensively covered by the media but its impact on the employers of the sufferers is only now being measured and assessed. This article describes the personnel policies that have been developed by one particular organization to deal with the problem. Educational and training programmes have been initiated and management given clear directives to ensure that high morale and productivity are maintained during potentially adverse situations.

AIDS in the Workplace: The Response of American Business Schools.

Abstract A body of literature has developed regarding the AIDS epidemic in the United States and the rights that victims of HIV disease possess under the law. This article reviews and summarizes that literature, and reports the results of a recent national survey of business schools with respect to their efforts to incorporate this information into their curricula, to prepare future managers to deal more effectively with AIDS in the workplace.

US Organizations’ Response to AIDS in the Workplace:

Since first identified in June 1981, 315,390 cases of AIDS have been reported in the United States and 194,354 Americans have died of the disease, as of 30 June 1993. Worldwide, 718,894 cases of AIDS have been reported and 13 million people are believed to be infected with the HIV (AIDS‐causing) virus. Since autumn 1988, the authors have conducted five independent studies to determine US organizations′ response to AIDS in the workplace. Reviews those and similar studies conducted by others, summarizes their findings, and offers suggestions to practising managers worldwide for dealing with AIDS in the workplace.

The AIDS Epidemic: Business Schools' Response

Abstract A body of literature has emerged regarding the nature of the AIDS epidemic in the United States and the legal rights of victims. This article reviews and summarizes the literature and reports the results of a recent survey of what business schools have done to incorporate this information into their curricula to prepare future managers to deal effectively with AIDS in the workplace. Suggestions are also provided to help businesses establish their own AIDS education programs.

Reducing personnel turnover and improving morale

Abstract Reports of the application of organization development principles and procedures appear frequently in the literature. The majority of these reports entail large business enterprises, with relatively little attention given to smaller business firms. This article provides the results of such an intervention in a small business firm (less than 50 employees), and presents a case study based on an action research model of data collection, analysis, feedback and changes effected which resulted in a dramatic improvement in the operations of this company.

The ADA: Public Personnel Management, Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This article reviews and summarizes the impact of the ADA on the public sector, and discusses two key concepts of the law, “reasonable accommodation” and “undue hardship.” These two concepts impact all management functions, including personnel management, and are the most troublesome of the Act to interpret and apply.

Civil Rights for Americans Working Abroad

Abstract The purpose of U.S. civil rights legislation in the 1960s was to prevent discrimination against employees working within the United States. A 1991 Supreme Court decision and subsequent legislation extended many civil rights protections to Americans working abroad. This article reviews the results of that legislation, and discusses what American firms must do when U.S. law conflicts with local laws and customs. Finally, the article considers the costs of extraterritoriality of United States laws for overseas employers.

Illegal Recruitment Advertising: A Ten-Year Restrospect

Since 1964, Congress has enacted a broad range of civil rights legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment decisions. The most visible sign of an employers personnel policies can be found in newspaper “help wanted” ads. The current researchers analyzed more than 40,000 help wanted ads from 12 newspapers from four geographic regions of the United States. This article reports the findings of this study of questionable/illegal advertisements by geographic region, industry group, and types of civil rights violation. Suggestions are offered to employers for developing legal advertising and recruitment practices.

Title I of the Americans with Diabilities Act: The Anatomy of a Law

anatomy. 1: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms 2: a treatise on anatomic science or art 3: the art of separating the parts of an animal or plant in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function 4: a body dissected or to be dissected 5: structural makeup esp. of an organism or any of its parts 6: a separating or dividing into parts for detailed examination.1 Public sector actions have been increasingly affected by civil rights laws. The primary purpose of this article is to show how one important act impinges on public personnel management. Since little has been written on how such laws are constructed, this article will deal with the anatomy of a basic civil rights law, and will show how Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is constructed in terms of definitions, rights, responsibilities, exceptions and defenses. Research methodology will involve the analysis of primary sources: (1) the ADA of July 26, 1990 itself, and (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions “Equal Employment Opportunity with Individuals with Disabilities; Final Rule” of July 26, 1991. The introductory sections of the article will also provide a brief overview of several structural aspects of Title I, and a comparison of this law with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA).