ABSTRACT
Foremen had a difficult job to do, were subject to many and conflicting pressures. Therefore, when talking about their own boss or other members of management, they almost invariably reported whether these persons helped or hindered them in coping with the problems of the job. Throughout their discussion of management groups, foremen emphasized one criterion of value above all others. When complaints were made, foremen generally recognized that the purpose of the service department was to assist them. The main criterion by which foremen evaluated other members of management was "helpfulness". Foremen identified themselves to a considerable extent with management's objectives. Foremen generally agreed on what specific actions and attitudes by another member of management made a particular relationship helpful. Many foremen clearly benefited from an opportunity to talk freely about things that were troubling them.
