Case studies of 27 plant shutdowns during the past two decades are summarized and analyzed. The organization of this research summary follows the plant-closing event in a chronological fashion. In the first section is considered the state of plant-closing research and the concerns and options of the groups involved in a shutdown. A second chapter views the management decision in a series of economic contexts: international, national, and local. Next, the immediate and intermediate responses of management, the union or unions, and the community are considered, together with some related material about recent state and federal legislative initiatives and a brief outline of how European countries respond to economic dislocation. The second half of the volume (chapters 4-6) is concerned with the experiences of the displaced workers, their job search behaviors and subsequent labor market experiences, their participation in programs designed to facilitate reemployment and the outcomes of those programs, and the effects of job loss on mental health. A concluding section reflects upon the aims and objectives set out earlier and proposes concrete research projects as well as a general research agenda. It also summarizes the research findings and outlines the implications for policy and practice. (YLB)

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Oata Analysis and Synthesis (CINOAS) * at Purdue. University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 33 (thesis year 1988) a total of 13,273 theses titles from 23 Canadian and 1 85 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 33 reports theses submitted in 1988, on occasion, certain univer sities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.

Assesses the varied policies and programmes that Australian Federal ministries have moved successfully to adapt to suit the changing circumstances. Describes how they could be improved and given more overall cohesion and what lessons the Austrian experience holds for other countries, both OECD Members and the countries in transition.