Engaging employees appears to be more valued at companies in the start-up stage than in more mature organizations, according to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

Seventy-three percent of human resource pros surveyed in start-ups report that superiors keep open communication with employees, compared to only 50 percent of those in the diversification stage. (Stages of development include start-up, expansion, consolidation and diversification.)

Plus, 85 percent of those in start-ups say employees have the opportunity to suggest improvements in the ways things are done (such as safety procedures), but only 65 percent in the diversification stage do the same.

Printed copies of the SHRM/Fisher College HR Strategies, Stages of Development and Organization Size Survey are available by calling 1 (800) 444-5006. The cost is $79.95 for SHRM members and $99.95 for non-members. Members may access the survey online for free at www.shrm.org/surveys.