Demanding Work: The Paradox of Job Quality in the Affluent Economy

Book Description

Since the early 1980s, a vast number of jobs have been created in the affluent economies of the industrialized world. Many workers are doing more skilled and fulfilling jobs, and getting paid more for their trouble. Yet it is often alleged that the quality of work life has deteriorated, with a substantial and rising proportion of jobs providing low wages and little security, or requiring unusually hard and stressful effort.

In this unique and authoritative formal account of changing job quality, economist Francis Green highlights contrasting trends, using quantitative indicators drawn from public opinion surveys and administrative data. In most affluent countries average pay levels have risen along with economic growth, a major exception being the United States. Skill requirements have increased, potentially meaning a more fulfilling time at work. Set against these beneficial trends, however, are increases in inequality, a strong intensification of work effort, diminished job satisfaction, and less employee influence over daily work tasks. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Demanding Work shows how aspects of job quality are related, and how changes in the quality of work life stem from technological change and transformations in the politico-economic environment. The book concludes by discussing what individuals, firms, unions, and governments can do to counter declining job quality.

Average customer rating:

An education in basic business and breakthrough solutions

Read this on a recommendation...

Not just a one-off throw-away

Do you like to hunt, or be hunted?

The Hunters and the Hunted: A Non-Linear Solution for American Industry (Corporate Leadership)
James B. Swartz
Manufacturer: Productivity Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Organizational Change | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Lean Thinking : Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation, Revised and Updated

Seeing David in the Stone

Understanding Variation: The Key to Managing Chaos (2nd Edition)

The Goal

Applications of Statistics to Industrial Experimentation (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics)

ASIN: 1563270439

Book Description

As a manager who wants to attain, maintain, or reclaim a competitive position in the hotly contested and ever-changing marketplace, your goal is clear. Terrified of being the "hunted" -- in peril of being destroyed or devoured by your competitors you want to know how to once again become a "hunter." But the myriad improvement strategies that sound great in theory don't always work in practice, and they don't take into account the realities of your workplace.

Through an unusual and provocative blend of fact and fiction, Jim Swartz puts you inside the transformation process itself - inside the heads of those who, finding themselves among the hunted, realize they must change the fundamental way they do business. He makes it clear why reorganization, decentralization, de-layering, continuous improvement, benchmarking, and participative management are helpful tools but fall short of tackling the real enemy.

In this engaging business novel, you'll travel with Marcus, the "Master Guardian" who has been helping businesses in trouble for 1400 years, as he trains two guardian recruits: Lou, a tough steel company manager long on experience with the old ways, and Laura, a Harvard MBA with a global view and no industrial experience. Come along as they visit great business hunters past and present and become aware of the fatal corporate mindsets, mental models, and measures that doom many companies to a life of retreat and restructuring. By visiting turnaround companies, you'll learn new business process models that dramatically reduced costs, improved performance and product quality, and made these companies the fastest responding suppliers in the world.

Customer Reviews:

An education in basic business and breakthrough solutions.......2004-12-02

Read this on the recommendation of an exceptional Materials Manager. While the format does take a little longer to get to the heart of non-linear solutions, the author provides a sense of what really separates good business practices from poor business practices, exceptional people from average people and the hunters from the hunted. The history that is included puts into perspective not just what you do to improve the business, but how to go about it (or how others have gone about it). Another important piece of information for the reader is that, what have been historic breakthroughs were arrived at through a combination of progressive thinking, and trial and error. It's not because a brilliant light just appeared. Highly recommend this book.

Read this on a recommendation..........2002-05-21

Sound ideas if you don't mind plowing through all of the stuff and fluff. The author spent way too much time trying to make his points compelling by the use of awkward and fanciful historical connections. Oh, and the liberal use of Capitalization To Play An Idea Up As A Fundamental Law Of The Universe gets annoying pretty quick.

I recommend reading "Lean Thinking" instead. You'll get all of the same important concepts without the need for literary corn-husking.

Not just a one-off throw-away.......2001-10-23

Way too much meat for one reading. The idea of the non-linear solution merits right up there as one of the fundamentals of modern world-class manufacturing. The non-linear solution is, among other things, the idea that you can't keep trying to improve a bad system. Fundamental, dramatic change is often necessary to keep from becoming one of the hunted. Do you see your company in any of these stories? Often hunters become hunted and don't know it until it is too late. One of the very best works available today. Read it and study it. The fantasy story that ties the book together is original and well done. As much a page turner as anything by Tom Clancy.

Do you like to hunt, or be hunted?.......2000-09-25

This book is just amazing, since it explains how American companies thought of themselves to be the best of the best, and saw no competition on the asian companies. Later on, in the late seventies and early eighties, american companies began a desperate rush to improve. It is written in a way that may remind you of Ellie GOldratt's "The goal". This book tells you what to do, but not how to, which I found to be one of it's biggest assets, because there is no better way to learn something, than doing it by yourself. It is a must to read by anyone who is on the upper levels of managemnet in a company, it will help you develop a new vision of what is the purpose of having a mangement on an agressive company.

Book Description

Penetration of light into aquatic ecosystems is greatly affected by the absorption and scattering processes that take place within the water. Thus within any water body, the intensity and color of the light field changes greatly with depth and this has a marked influence on both the total productivity of, and the kinds of plant that predominate in, the ecosystem. This study presents an integrated and coherent treatment of the key role of light in aquatic ecosystems. It ranges from the physics of light transmission within water, through the biochemistry and physiology of aquatic photosynthesis, to the ecological relationships that depend on the underwater light climate.

Average customer rating:

Wait for the real thing

Andre Agassi

I have seen this technique before....

Interesting

Fascinating subject, terrible writing

Agassi and Ecstasy
Paul Bauman
Manufacturer: Bonus Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Tennis | Racket Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Agassi Story

Agassi: The Fall and Rise of the Enfant Terrible of Tennis

You Cannot Be Serious

You Can Quote Me On That: Greatest Tennis Quips, Insights And Zingers

On the Court With Andre Agassi (Matt Christopher Sports Biographies)

ASIN: 1566250854

Book Description

A unique and insightful analysis of Andre's psyche. The strength of Bauman's book lies in his longtime affiliation with the Agassi clan and the amount of in-depth material he gathered.

Customer Reviews:

Wait for the real thing.......2007-05-29

This is not a great book about Agassi. It is more about his dad than Andre and the book is written, not from information gleamed from personal interviews, but mostly from other already published sources. The book does little to fill in gaps in his personal life. I don't think the author had too many primary sources for this book. Save your time and your money for the book that Andre very recently got a $5M check for - that should worth your time to read. This is not.

Andre Agassi.......2003-03-18

Paul Bauman wrote a wonderful book about Andre Agassi called Agassi and Ecstacy. I think the book was really enjoyable to read and it was interesting. I liked it because it had a lot of interesting facts about Andre Agassi's life and tennis career. I would recommend this book to tennis players and fans of Andre Agassi. I also recommend this book for all ages of people who are interested in tennis and who like Andre Agassi. I read this book because I really enjoyed tennis and Andre Agassi. I thought it was a really fun book to read and I enjoyed writing a review on it.

I have seen this technique before...........2002-10-26

I have seen this technique before in others unauthorized bios... The writer simply goes out searaching for magazines and TV interviews featuring the star on focus, thatn releases a book without having PERSONALLY interviewd anybody related to the star!! Simply sepaking, it's almos a job of Control C, Control V !! (COPY AND PASTE!!)

Interesting.......2002-02-01

Although this biography is unauthorized, it contains a lot of information and interesting interviews. This is a great book. Unfortunately, there isn't a biography on Agassi that is more recent.

Fascinating subject, terrible writing.......2002-01-04

Andre Agassi is without a doubt one of the most fascinating, complex tennis players in recent history---but the author, Paul Bauman, was not the one to write about him. Basically, he just took every clipping ever published on Agassi and threw it together in a book with no rhyme or reason. It was poorly organized and poorly thought-out. I would love to find an excellent biography on Andre Agassi but this book is definitely not it.

Average customer rating:

#1 BOOK FOR FILM & TV WRITERS

THE BOOK WHICH STARTED MY CAREER

A Must Have for Anyone who Writes

One of the Best Re: Writing for the Entertainment Industry

Good for newbies

The Writer Got Screwed (but didn't have to): Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry
Brooke A. Wharton
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Industry | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Screenwriting | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Breakfast with Sharks: A Screenwriter's Guide to Getting the Meeting, Nailing the Pitch, Signing the Deal, and Navigating the Murky Waters of Hollywood

The Screenwriter's Legal Guide

The Script Selling Game: A Hollywood Insider's Look at Getting Your Script Sold and Produced

Writing Treatments That Sell: How to Create and Market Your Story Ideas to the Motion Picture and TV Industry, Second Edition

Pitching Hollywood: How to Sell Your TV and Movie Ideas

ASIN: 0062732366

Amazon.com

You've got to love a lawyer who advises, "Don't make your lawyers rich." Entertainment lawyer Brooke A. Wharton provides an authoritative and, yes, entertaining primer for the beginning entertainment writer not just on the legal and business issues of writing for the industry, but also on how to get a career jump-started. The first section covers copyright, libel, and contracts, so that if you can't "control the exploitation of your scripts and written work ... at least [you'll] know when you're being screwed." The following section delineates the murky differences between the roles of agent, lawyer, and manager. The gist of it is that you don't need all three, but which ones you need depends on the type of person you are and the type of agents/lawyers/managers they are (industry insiders are not prone to job-title limitations). The next section has a series of interviews with writers, agents, and a producer, all of whom help to enlighten us about the various writing jobs the industry offers, from film to television to cyberspace. (If you're surprised to learn that "most writers working in the film industry do not make their living from the sale of a spec screenplay," I've got a good deal for you on some land in Florida.) Finally, there are lists of competitions, fellowships, internships, and agencies. And what about jump-starting that glamorous career? Contacts, baby. Contacts. And wouldn't you know, if you ain't got 'em, Wharton's got great advice on how to make 'em.

Book Description

An indispensable roadmap to success, The Writer Got Screwed is the first book to untangle the legal and business aspects of writing for the entertainment industry. It is for the young TV production assistant waiting for a big break, the executive with a treatment tucked away in a bottom drawer, the techie targeting the new field of cyberspace writing, or anyone who is inspired to write screenplays.

Savvy Hollywood entertainment attorney Brooke Wharton decodes legal jargon, explains how to protect creative work, shows how to read between the lines of a contract, and advises how to avoid getting sued and screwed along the way. Useful resources, including a list of agencies, competitions, fellowships, internships, and legal organizations, make The Writer Got Screwed an essential part of every writer's tool chest.

Customer Reviews:

#1 BOOK FOR FILM & TV WRITERS.......2005-12-28

There are a lot of books out there on writing for the entertainment industry, but this was the one book that got me started. A lot of writers tend to pass around gossip and poor information, but this book set me straight from the beginning, and is now joined by Wharton's website/blog: brookewharton.com(rated in top 10 for film blogs). This is the one book that anyone writing for film or television should START WITH. I'm mystified by a previous reviewer who said that Wharton doesn't talk about the WGA (there's a whole chapter on the guild), and also that she doesn't discuss acquisitions vs. development (it's called spec sales vs. assignments in the 1st 10 pages of the chapter on writing for film). Clearly this person couldn't have read the book. If you need real answers, buy the book.

THE BOOK WHICH STARTED MY CAREER.......2005-12-16

After graduating from film school, I had no idea how to start my career as a writer in the film industry. "The Writer Got Screwed" not only showed my how to start my career, but showed me the different kind of careers which exist for Writers in the Entertainment Industry. Most books don't explain what WRITERS working in the entertainment industry need to know: THIS BOOK DOES. If you want to work in the legal department of a studio, take classes in copyright and contracts. If you want to work as a writer in the entertainment industry, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.

A Must Have for Anyone who Writes.......2005-12-04

This book is one of those needles in a hay stack. It's not out there like all the other books for writers. But if you find it... you have found gold. It is written so that it is easy to understand and has tons of great information in it. A must have.

One of the Best Re: Writing for the Entertainment Industry .......2005-09-27

Very few books explain how to start your career, the different forms of representation (agents, managers, and attorneys), how to protect your work (copyright registration vs. registering with the WGA), how to protect yourself (contracts-what do they mean?) and give lists of available resources (scholarships, WGA approved agencies, production companies, legal resouces/attorneys) for writers working within the entertainment industry--"The Writer Got Screwed" delivers on all of these areas. Whether you are working in film, television, feature animation, soap operas, or interactive, "The Writer Got Screwed" provides interviews with writers who work in these areas and valuable, RARELY FOUND, information regarding how these started their careers. This book is a terrific, must-have book for anyone who wants to write for the entertainment industry, and now is joined by a companion website at [...].

Good for newbies.......2005-09-21

Given all the 5 star ratings, I expected better. Not that this isn't a good book, but it depends on the reader's sophistication. If you don't know anything about some of the basic legal and business aspects of the publishing biz, this book is a good start. On the other hand, if you're a detail oriented person who really wants to dig in deep into this subject, you may find the content a bit light.

The Writer Got Screwed (But Didn't Have To): A Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry

Average customer rating:

The Writer Got Screwed (But Didn't Have To): A Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry
Brooke A. Wharton
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEX9IW

The Writer Got Screwed (but didn't have to): Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry

Average customer rating:

The Writer Got Screwed (but didn't have to): Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry
Brooke A. Wharton
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF5XQM

Book Description

From deciding on what to wear at job interviews to looking professional on the job, this book identifies 101 dressing mistakes women often make that can negatively affect their careers.

Customer Reviews:

Good tips but outdated photos.......2004-12-30

The author gives some good tips on color, basic items to buy and styles but the photos are terrible. They are extremely outdated - who wears denim jeans with animal print and belts printed on them? Or jeans splattered with paint that look like a bad spinart project. The few photos that are in the book are very outdated. The author also trys to pair a scarf with everything. Maybe I'm too young for this book but I was trying to find something that would show me how to put together a professional look. I'm still looking.

110 Mistakes Working Women Make and How to Avoid Them.......2003-10-22

This book is worth over $5600. That's how much I paid for my Color 1 Associate training from Joanna Nicholson in 1990.

This book contains all that I learned and more. I have saved myself and others thousands of dollars of fashion mistakes by using her approach to color and style.

Buy the book if you are interested in easy to understand, accurate information about how to look great everyday using your best colors and styles.

Joanna's color system is not seasonal and she believes everyone can wear every color as long as the shade,and clarity are flattering.

There is so much great information in this book that you might feel a little overwhelmed. In that case it might be worthwhile to slowly read the book and highlight parts that pertain to you.

If you have diffulty determining your color type you may want to contact your nearest Color 1 Associate who can quickly shorten your learning curve about your best colors and styles. Then you can use this book as a reference.

Dressing Smart for Women.......2003-10-06

JoAnna Nicholson is brillant! She goes over complete head to toe looks for dressing smart and elegant in any situation. Starting with color which is essential in looking great, to shoes, belts, purses, hairstyles .... everything for the finished, polished look. She also makes you very aware of all the myths and bad advice we have received throughout the years. The color pictures in the book are very helpful. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books