Psychology of the Scientist: LXXI. Attitudes of Practitioners in Human Resource Management toward Information from Academic Research

Abstract

This study identified three specific attitudes that underlie Human Resource Management practitioners' negative perceptions of information found in academic sources. Data were collected from 201 directors, and the analyses suggested that specific attitudes related to relevance, credibility, and valid bases of knowledge may contribute to their negative perceptions. Degree status and experience were significantly related to practitioners' attitudes. The three types of attitudes were significantly correlated with practitioners' frequency of use of academic sources. Three organizational variables (time constraints, budgetary constraints, and organization size) were also significantly related to the frequency of use of academic information sources. The findings and their possible implications are discussed.