oa Waar staat de Arbeids- en Organisatiepsychologie?

What are our objectives as Work and Organizational psychologists?

In the nineteen seventies Work and Organizational psychologists fiercely debated issues, like who should benefit from research: employers or employees. It is evident that these groups have often conflicting interests. W&O psychologists were requested to make explicit what their position was and what objectives their research had, and indicate who would benefit. This debate seems to have disappeared. Academics seem to be mostly preoccupied with getting yet another paper published. As a consequence the discipline seems to have lost some of its societal relevance. In order to survive as a discipline, Work and Organizational psychologists should again focus on the societal relevance of their work, and take a position. Current developments in the field of work and organization indicate that work has become more complex and difficult. So, there is work to do for Work and Organizational psychologists. We should help to increase participation in the labor market of various groups and be concerned again with the well-being of employees.