Wage and Salary Administrative Practices and Decision Process

Abstract

A survey of wage and salary administrative practices fora sample of business firms is reported (n = 325), including a descriptive analysis of labor market surveys, job evaluation, and the pattern of decision making in a number of activities for each responding firm. The decision-making process is analyzed with a focus on the relative independence of the staff wage and salary function on activities that affect the total organization. The profile of the decision-making process which emerges suggests substantial shared authority between line and staff units. The wage and salary administrator is relatively independent in crucial technical tasks, but is constrained in decision making over tasks that have more obvious organizational impact. The findings and implications contribute to an increased data base on administrative practices and professional development.