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Managers of US resorts are using H2B and J‐1 guest workers to fill seasonal labor needs. Acculturation and assimilation of international workers has a major impact on service and customer satisfaction in resorts. The purpose of this paper is to identify the methods used by resorts to successfully acculturate, assimilate, and retain international workers.

The case study method was used. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with HR directors of six seasonal resorts that hired H2B and J‐1 workers. Content analysis of the interviews was used to generate acculturation, assimilation, and retention practices at the resorts.

Results from this paper indicate that techniques for acculturation of guest workers are informal and occur on‐the‐job while assimilation techniques are more formal. Retention strategies varied by resort. Differences are found between the techniques used in these resorts and those used in seasonal restaurants.

The sample size is limited to those HR directors agreeing to participate. Given the current economic situation and job market, many HR directors are hesitant to share information about their international workers.

A comprehensive assimilation, acculturation, and retention program for seasonal workers is proposed.

No research is found on the ways to successfully assimilate international workers to a resort's culture and acculturate them in the US culture. The results of this paper will give HR directors a guide on how to assimilate international workers in their workforce.

The effects of the US guest worker program on the home country have not been documented. Jamaica has been a popular source of employees for the hospitality industry. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of the US guest worker program on Jamaica, the Jamaican hotel industry, and Jamaican guest workers.

Data from structured interviews with key persons in the Jamaican government, hoteliers in Jamaica, and Jamaican guest workers in the USA were analyzed to demonstrate the impact of this program from three viewpoints. Content analysis and frequency were the research methods that were used to analyze the findings.

Strong support for the workers by the Jamaican government was documented. While the Jamaican hoteliers are affected by a shortage of good workers, they accept the program because of the advantages to the workers and the economy. Advantages of the program from the workers' perspectives were the economic value of the program and the ability to learn about different cultures.

The paper's limitations include the small number of guest workers due to the limited accessibility. The value of the program to a small nation was documented.

This topic is on the minds of lawmakers, employers, and workers yet there is no other documentation of the advantages and disadvantages of the program to the three groups.

This register of current research in social economics has been compiled by the International Institute of Social Economics. The register does not claim to be comprehensive but is merely an aid for research workers and institutions interested in social economics. The register will be updated and made more comprehensive in the future but this is largely dependent on the inflow of information from researchers in social economics. In order to facilitate this process a standardised form is to be found on the last page of this register. Completed forms, with attached sheets as necessary, should be returned to the compiler: Dr Barrie O. Pettman, Director, International Institute of Social Economics, Enholmes Hall, Patrington, Hull, N. Humberside, England, HU12 OPR. Any other comments on the register will also be welcome.

Using questionnaires and interviews, a survey was undertaken of publishers/producers of electronic information with regard to retention, storage and access. It was found that, although some large publishers were innovative with their use of electronic material for different purposes, many commercial publishers are only gradually getting involved with electronic production methods and few have policies on electronic archiving. Among publishers, there is a low level of awareness of the Knowledge Warehouse project and a marked disinclination to deposit material with a national electronic archive on a voluntary basis. Database producers have more interest in electronic archiving and take more measures to refresh their magnetic media. There is some evidence of material produced in electronic form only that is in danger of being deleted from databases, electronic newsletters and videotex. CD‐ROM is the medium of the future for several publishers and database producers. The archival life of various electronic media is considered, and standards relating to electronic publishing are discussed. Some initiatives in electronic archiving are described.