The U.S. economy, workplace, and work are in the midst of historic change. New ways of organizing and managing the workplace and new ways of working are becoming increasingly common. Large companies are giving way to smaller and leaner organizations. Today, the typical business establishment employs 15 people. Across all industries, smaller establishments are growing faster than larger establishments are. Boundaries among companies are blurring as more and more companies become involved in networks, partnerships, and alliances with other companies--sometimes even across national boundaries. The number and value of mergers and acquisitions has been increasing rapidly over the past 13 years. Between 1985 and 1998, the number of mergers and acquisitions grew nearly tenfold. Just under one in four establishments had adopted high-performance workplace practices in 1992. That percentage had increased to nearly two in five by 1997. Although more people are working at home or on flexible work schedules, the share of the work force in alternative or contingent employment relationships has remained stable over the past few years. Between 1990 and 1998, companies increased their investments in education and training by more than 30%. (Contains 24 graphs.) (MN)