ERIC Number: ED345894
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1992-Mar-21
Pages: 10
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Characteristics of Innovative Sawmill Operators: An Appalachian Ohio Perspective.
Bratkovich, Stephen M.; Miller, Larry E.
This paper reports on a study that investigated the characteristics of innovative Ohio sawmill operators and compared characteristics of Appalachian to non-Appalachian operators. (The paper is derived from a larger study that investigated the perceived educational needs of innovative Ohio sawmill operators.) Thirty-two Ohio sawmill operators were selected based upon criteria that they were the first or near the first individuals to adopt new ideas or work practices. A questionnaire assessed the sawmill operators' perceived importance and perceived knowledge of 67 job competencies and examined characteristics of the subjects. The results include: (1) a higher percentage of Appalachian operators (19 percent) were identified as innovative as compared to non-Appalachian operators (9 percent); (2) Appalachian operators were older than their non-Appalachian counterparts; (3) Appalachian operators tended to have more tenure in the sawmill industry and higher income than their non-Appalachian counterparts; (4) Appalachian operators had a minimum educational attainment of some college with 62 percent of the same operators indicating strong educational aspirations; and (5) there were no significant differences between perceived educational needs of innovative operators across geographic region. This study indicates that educators and service providers need to be aware of the diversities within the Appalachian region and the characteristics of their audience when planning educational programming. Education and service providers can contribute to the understanding of diversity in Appalachia by conducting in-depth analysis of different social systems within the region. (LP)
Descriptors: Educational Needs, Educational Planning, Individual Characteristics, Innovation, Regional Characteristics, Rural Areas, Rural Population, Skilled Workers
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Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Ohio State Univ., Columbus. Cooperative Extension Service.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A