ABSTRACT
In the early 1980s it was apparent that American productivity, while still the highest in the world, was growing at a slower rate than that of many competing foreign countries. It was also obvious that this situation was already having an adverse impact on the American economy and that conditions would get worse if a remedy was not found. The nation's standard of living could not be maintained or improved in the face of declining relative productivity. As a result of this concern, several steps were taken by individuals and groups in both private and public sectors. Some of these steps are described below (DeCario and Sterett, 1990):
In October 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation mandating a nationwide study on productivity.
