Applications of Holland's theory in industrial and organizational settings

This article discusses three applications of Holland's theory in industrial and organizational psychology. The first is his contribution to theory dev elopment through the concept of person-environment congruence, which is cur rently one of the dominant theoretical positions in organizational behavior . The second is his contribution to using occupational information, most no tably that individuals should be self-directed participants in their own ca reer exploration. This position is evidenced in the 1991 revision of the Di ctionary of Occupational Tides and will continue;with the Occupational Info rmation Network (O*NET). The third is the application of vocational interes t measurement in two current organizational practices: cross-functional tra ining and the formation of work teams. It is concluded that Holland's work represents a rare outcome - a source of influence on both the science and p ractice bf industrial/organizational psychology. (C) 1999 Academic Press.