The dynamics of the human resource

Abstract

In today's business environment the manager in the data processing industry is faced with three major personnel problems: failure to acquire, failure to utilize, and failure to retain. Employee potential remains untapped due to our inability to utilize resources; we find it increasingly difficult to attract quality employees, and the technical personnel in whom we have accumulated sizable investment through long training periods at high salaries, continue to turn over at a high rate.An investigation of the internal psychodynamics of a data processing organization has been conducted in an attempt to shed light on at least one aspect of these employer/employee relationships. Although the current analytical method is somewhat primitive, the potential for a technique of organizational analysis is apparent.The original study, from which this report is extracted, included an extensive presentation of a theory of psychological structures currently being proposed by Dr. Clare W. Graves of Union College. This, and a section of the study cross-referencing the Gravesian theory with other works, is presented here in only brief form to provide context.As a practical test and application of Gravesian theory and psychological testing instrument was designed and applied to employees in a data processing organization. The development and application of the instrument is discussed. Interesting results are shown in several comparative groupings: age, job type, sex, length of service, and employment termination.