Orientations of Research Staff to Change of Occupation: A Sociological Case Study.

The paper examines occupational mobility or fluidity among scientists in the Soviet Union. The problem of fluidity is inseparably linked with the problem of adaptation to the work organization. The occupational stability of workers is affected by the type and conditions of their work, which are determined by a complex of objective and subjective factors and their interaction. Objective factors include: type of scientific institution and rank in the profession, length of service, and age. A combined analysis of these factors reveals that the highest stability index is in the 40-45 age group and the lowest in the 25-30 age group. Subjective factors influencing worker stability include wishing to realize career plans by transferring to another institution, questions of promotion and pay, and working conditions. Men's and women's motives for transfer are identical, although their coincidence of motives varies. Correlation analysis shows that stability depends most on age, nature of work with respect to ability, and the prospect of promotion. In sum, efforts should be made to eliminate excessive occupational mobility among scientists in the interest of increasing scientific efficiency. (JR)