
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 9, 1991                   TAG: 9104090142
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

WORKER COMPETENCE DOWN, EXECUTIVES SAY IN SURVEY

More midsized U.S. companies are turning to automation because of a perceived decline in the American worker's competence, according to a survey of top executives.

The survey queried the 100 members of the American Business Conference, a Washington-based trade group of mid-sized growth companies like underwear-maker Fruit of the Loom Inc. and cable television's USA Network. The report was released Monday.

Only 34 percent of the 70 officials responding to the survey late last year said they believe American workers' competence has improved in the past decade. Forty-one percent think worker competence has declined.

Of those who thought there had been a decline, 71 percent said their companies were becoming less dependent upon workers in favor of greater mechanization.

The survey compares business practices in 1981, 1991 and the year 2000.

The conference is made up of 100 chief executives of fast-growing companies with annual revenues of at least $25 million or income at least double the rate of the economy's real growth.

Among the survey's major findings, international business is a key factor for conference members:

61 percent said that by the year 2000, international business will be indispensable for their companies' overall success;

72 percent believe the next decade will see liberalized international trade and investment;

92 percent favor a free trade agreement between the United States and Mexico.

by CNB