Attitudes and practices of larger firms in manufacturing industries toward continuing education

Abstract

This research was designed to determine attitudes and practices of the larger manufacturers in the United States toward continuing education and to determine any significant difference between industries in those attitudes. A systematic sample of 30 was selected from each of the 20 manufacturing industries as defined in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual and as listed in Dun and Bradstreet's Million Dollar Directory. Thus, the population from which the sample was selected included all manufacturing firms in the United States having assets of one million dollars or more in 1977. A survey instrument containing 40 attitudes was developed to determine the respondent's level of agreement with each attitude toward continuing education. In addition to the attitudes, the survey instrument was designed to obtain data on continuing education practices in 1977. Thirty-six percent of the sample of 600 responded to the survey instrument. Based on data from 218 responses in the survey, 16.4 percent of all employees in manufacturing were involved in at least one continuing education activity in 1977. Each company spent an average of $336 in direct costs on each employee who was engaged in continuing education. The attitudes were examined in each of seven categories: (1) broad goals; (2) program planning and content; (3) assistance given to the employee; (4) time of participation in activities; (5) assignment of responsibility; (6) benefits to employee; and (7) evaluation of program. Manufacturing industries, in general, had a favorable attitude toward each of the broad categories. They were indecisive, however, about employees participating in continuing education activities on company time. The analysis of variance statistical technique revealed significant differences between industries in broad goals, assistance given to employees, and evaluation of programs. Differences significant at the .05 level were found between sizes of firm by employment in all seven categories of attitudes..