Polarization observables in the reaction NN -> NN phi

The sensitivity of polarization observables in the reaction NN-->NN phi sli ghtly above the threshold is studied with respect to the details of the one -boson exchange model and a possible admixture of hidden strangeness in the nucleon. It is shown that the finite-energy predictions differ strongly fr om the threshold predictions. A measurement of the beam-target asymmetry an d the phi decay anisotropy can help to disentangle the role of various reac tion mechanisms. [S0556-2813(99)07302-1].