The Management Development Laboratory, under the direction of Thomas A Mahoney, begins work on the identification and prediction of managerial effectiveness. In 1956 Iota Rho Chi, the professional fraternity in industrial relations, is founded.
Initial studies evaluate the problems of vocationally handicapped persons.
In 1959 the IRC begins an internship program for MAIR students, providing opportunities to work with business firms, labor unions, or government agencies throughout the nation.