THE RATIO OF SUPPORT TO PROFESSIONAL MANPOWER IN R AND D LABORATORIES

Abstract

The author suggests that the amount of assistance on routine duties given to an R + D engineer is important to retention. A measure of this assistance is the ''support ratio''. Examination was made of current support ratios in 219 companies and in 137 departments of the Air Force Systems Command. In general, the current modal support ratio is about 1.0 for industry and about 0.3 for Systems Command. This suggests that other factors being equal, professional minded scientists and engineers might be tempted to move to organizations that offer help -- not hindrance. The economics of using a high salaried engineer to type his own reports is discussed. Frustrations encountered in a multilayer R + D organizational structure are emphasized in terms of retention. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0287809

Entities

People

  • Ralph Andrea

Organizations

  • University of Chicago

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Buildings And Structures
  • Economics
  • Engineers
  • Frustration
  • Manpower
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Scientific Organizations
  • Scientists

Readers

  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design