The Ability to Predict Workers' Preferences: Further Evidence

Abstract

This abstract reports a follow-up of an earlier survey of the ability of managers and trade union officers to predict workers' preferences. It was found that even when economic and social conditions change a good deal, and despite changes in individuals' preferences, the 'average union members' ' preferences for pay and fringe benefits remain remarkably constant. This being the case, the results of the earlier survey would have been an excellent source of information about workers' preferences. However the managers and union officers were unable to assess workers current preferences and the majority of persons who had predicted preferences in both surveys performed more badly in the second, most overestimating the limited changes in preferences which had occurred. It was concluded that those who work closest to the ordinary worker are less capable of deciphering the confusing array of information which they receive about him.

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