Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 12210062
12/95/

ERIC TITLE NUMBER: 69-09069 AUTHOR: Harlan, Sharon L.; O'Farrell, Brigid


TITLE: After the pioneers: Prospects for women in
nontraditional blue-collar jobs.

YEAR PUBLISHED: 1982
JOURNAL: Work-and-Occupations; 1982 Aug Vol 9(3) 363-386

ABSTRACT: Data from a 3-yr study of a large industrial firm
illustrate fundamental distinctions between the pioneer
era, when women and minorities struggled individually for
access to predominantly White male jobs and the postpioneer
era that occurred after equal employment policies were
institutionalized by the firm. Internal labor market theory
provided a framework for analyzing the effects of
organizational changes during the latter period. Sources
include intensive, structured interviews with 75 of the
firm's blue-collar employees, 27 unstructured interviews
with union officials, 388 responses to a mailed survey of
blue-collar employees, and plantwide data on the employment
status and job classification of over 7,000 blue-collar
workers. Findings indicate that the 1978 affirmative action
agreement did not address many of the organizational
barriers at the plant level that impede women's access to
and advancement in traditionally male jobs. Although the
current policy has increased the number of women being
hired, it may be promoting new patterns of sex and racial
segregations. (28 ref) (PsycLIT Database Copyright 1983
American Psychological Assn, all rights reserved)

KEY DESCRIPTORS: HUMAN-FEMALES; BLUE-COLLAR-WORKERS; SEX
ROLE-ATTITUDES; OCCUPATIONAL-ATTITUDES;
PERSONNEL-SELECTION;
PERSONNEL-PROMOTION; LONGITUDINAL-STUDIES; SEX
DISCRIMINATION


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