Citation

Peck DL, Hollub RH. Eval. Program Plann. 1989; 12(3): 233-240.

Affiliation

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0149-7189(89)90034-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This report is based on an evaluation project conducted at two underground coal mines located in the southeastern United States. The purpose of the project was to assist management by identifying the reasons that one mine, among the seven owned and operated by the contractor, had recently experienced a dramatic decrease in production, while the rates of absenteeism and accidents increased. The information upon which this report is based was gathered through interviews conducted with miners employed at the least productive and the most productive mines, as well as management, staff personnel, and federal officials. The findings suggest that intangible factors may have accounted for the wide disparity of work performance. A partial explanation is framed within the vested interests of the contending groups and the discussion illustrates that group commitment is strengthened and that special interests are maintained through engaging in conflict as a normative aspect of organizational behavior.