West Virginia Employers Survey

WV Employers Survey

Thank you for agreeing to complete our survey regarding the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that West Virginia businesses need from employees. We are concerned about the current economic condition in our state and what this means for all of the bright and creative people who leave our state because they cannot find a way to earn a living.

We would like to ensure that our College’s business and economics students are developing the right knowledge, skills, and dispositions to stay in West Virginia and be ready to contribute. And, we’re interested in learning what schools of businesses can do to help improve the economy in West Virginia.

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. Your responses are confidential and participation is voluntary. If you have any questions, you may contact Susan Aloi at aloi_s@wvwc.edu, Tracie Dodson at dodson@wvwc.edu, or Kelly (Hughes) Sharp at hughes_k@wvwc.edu.

About the researchers:
Dr. Susan Aloi is an Associate Professor and Director of the Thomas H. Albinson II School of Business at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Dr. Aloi teaches courses in management, nonprofit management, and leadership.

Dr. Tracie Dodson is an Associate Professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Dr. Dodson has HR expertise and teaches a variety of management courses.

Prof. Kelly Sharp is an Assistant Professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Prof. Sharp teaches economics and statistics.

2.In which part of the state are you located? (Regions identified by WV Dept. of Commerce) Select all that apply

Eastern Panhandle (Counties of Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan)

Hatfield-McCoy Mountains (Counties of Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne)

Metro Valley (Counties of Cabell, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam)

Mid-Ohio Valley (Counties of Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, Wood)

Mountain Lakes (Counties of Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, Lewis, Nicholas, Upshur, Webster)

Mountaineer Country (Counties of Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor)

New River/Greenbrier Valley (Counties of Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wyoming)

Northern Panhandle (Counties of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, Wetzel)

Potomac Highlands (Counties of Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker)

Comments:

3.How many employees does your organization employ at these levels of education?

No Degree

High School Diploma Only

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree or Above

Full Time

Part Time or Seasonal

Other

Comments:

4.What type(s) of employees have you most often hired in the past? Select all that apply

Marketing/Advertising/Sales

Accounting/Financial

Operations/Managerial

Information Systems/Computer Operations

Professional Fields (lawyer, doctor, architect, etc.)

Labor (skilled, unskilled)

Other (please specify)

5.How would you describe the level of turnover in employees that your organization has experienced in recent years?

Not much; relatively steady employment

Some, but not distruptive to business

Variable; sometimes high, sometimes not

Too much; makes it difficult to operate effectively

Comments:

10.Are there any specific types of employees that you are currently finding it difficult to attract or retain?

Yes: Please specify

11.What do you believe is the role of business in West Virginia? Select all that apply

Business has no role except to maximize profit for the owners.

Businesses supply products and services important to people and other businesses in the state.

Businesses provide jobs for appropriately-prepared people.

Business should be contributing to planned economic development in their local communities and/or across the state by adjusting what they produce to meet the state's needs.

Business needs to be concerned with the potential negative consequences of their operations on groups and individuals within the state.

Businesses should take the lead in collaborating with others to improve the communities in which they operate.

Businesses should produce goods and provide services that are designed specifically to solve social problems in the state (e.g., substance abuse, unprepared workforce, decaying towns, etc.).

Other purpose(s) of business in West Virginia (please specify):

12.Please provide any additional comments regarding labor force skills needed for current and future West Virginia business and industry.

13.If you would like a copy of the results from this survey research, please share your name and email address below. NOTE: Your survey responses will still remain anonymous!

14.If you are willing to participate in more in-depth case study research with us, please share your name and email address below. NOTE: Your survey responses will still remain anonymous!