E-grāmata: Worker Satisfaction and Economic Performance

Using both theoretical analysis and practical examples, Altman (economics, University of Saskatchewan) attacks the orthodoxy of free market economics, disputing its articles of faith concerning the inverse relationship between wages and profits, the inevitable erosion of discrimination and inequality, the interference of anti-trust laws with competition, and the impact of minimum wage laws and labor unions. Altman emphasizes the agency of workers, and the eventual impact of worker satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) on the economic performance of the company. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This work challenges some of the fundamental tenets of the "free market" economics that have had a profound impact on public policy and the American worker. The author shows that these myths are a product of unrealistic behavioural assumptions from "free market" economists about the worker.

This book challenges some of the fundamental tenets of "free market" economics that have had a profound impact on public policy and the plight of the American worker. These include the beliefs that high wages inevitably mean low profits; that a "free" market will automatically reduce discrimination and pay inequality; that anti-trust legislation hinders competitive market forces; and that minimum wage laws and trade unions negatively impact the economy.

Using both theoretical analysis and real-life examples, the author shows that these myths are a product of unrealistic behavioral assumptions on the part of "free market" economists about the typical worker. In fact, as the author makes clear, the level of workers' satisfaction with their jobs, as a reflection of how well they are paid and treated by their employers, has a direct impact on the quality level of the products they produce and, inevitably, the economic performance of the firms.