Hand dominance and implications for left-handed operation of controls

This review paper argues that the consequences of control performance among left-handed operators, who may represent a sizeable portion of the population, should not be disregarded as a design issue. Principally, the control panel designer may err in assuming that left-handers, given enough time and effort, will simply 'learn' to operate a complex control intended for right-handed usage. This widely held position is unfounded in light of the available evidence; left-handers, as well as right-handers, consistently perform less well with the non-dominant hand as compared to the dominant one in a variety of behavioural tasks. The designer should be aware of the potential decrement in performance which may be associated with operation by the non-dominant hand, especially in critical control situations. A model for determining the relevance of the operator's handedness in the design and layout of controls is presented.     

Identifying international assignees at risk for premature departure: The interactive effect of outcome favorability and procedural fairness.

Two studies examined factors that predict expatriate managers' tendencies to think seriously about departing prematurely from their international assignments. Previous research (conducted outside of the expatriate context) has shown that individuals' willingness to stay with or leave their positions is an interactive function of outcome favorability and procedural fairness. A conceptually analogous interaction effect was found in the present studies. Whereas expatriates more seriously thought of departing prematurely when they perceived the non-work-related outcomes of their overseas assignments to be less favorable, this tendency was much less pronounced when procedural fairness was relatively high. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, as are limitations of the studies and suggestions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)