The quantification of the frame of reference in labor-management communication

Abstract

"A semantic barrier to communication between labor and management was quantified by establishing the frames of reference of labor and management criterion groups on the semantic differential, using concepts selected from the area of labor-management relations." The meaning of a concept is measured by asking S to mark on a 7-point scale between 2 logically or psychologically opposing terms the point at which he perceives the meaning to be. The score for a concept is the sum of scores on the scales related to it. "Significant semantic distance between the two groups was revealed. Labor stereotyped more than management, and assumed more extreme scale positions. Thus, the semantic distance seemed to have resulted more from labor's position than from management's. The greater standard deviations of the responses of the management group on three concepts suggested that management's position on these concepts was changing." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)