The Importance of Union Acceptance for Productivity Improvement Through Goal Setting

Interviews were conducted with union business agents on conditions necessary for their support of a goal setting program. Subsequent to the interviews, goals were assigned to 39 truck drivers. The results were analyzed using a design that included a comparison group ( N = 35). The results showed a significant increase in productivity for the drivers who received specific goals. When the conditions necessary for the union's support of the goal setting program were no longer met, there was a wildcat strike.