This thesis investigates the history of labour management at David Jones, the major Australian retailer and manufacturer, between the years 1838 and 1958. This thesis examines the development of consent-based approach to labour management at David Jones, in particular the development of paternalism and welfarism. In doing so this thesis explores both general questions regarding the factors that influence why certain firms adopt a consent-based approach to labour management, as well as informing debates around the existence of nineteenth century paternalism and the origins of twentieth century welfarism. The historical material contained at the David Jones Archives and elsewhere reveals little evidence of paternalism as a deliberate management strategy. This brings into question the usefulness of paternalism as a concept in the historical study of Australian labour management. The inability to trace paternalism also undermines explanations of twentieth century welfarism premised on the pre-existence of nineteenth century paternalism. The historical materials, however, do note that twentieth century welfarism was a deliberate labour management strategy adopted by David Jones management. Welfarism, combined with systematic management and training, was initially adopted following the First World War to deal with the threat of industrial turmoil. However, in the 1930s, welfarism increasingly became a pro-active strategy designed to create skilled selling and raise the profile of the firm within the community. Further, welfarism at David Jones in the inter-war period was more than merely a new form of paternalism, somehow transformed by being in a larger, more bureaucratic setting or a result of employers confronted an increasingly feminised workforce. Welfarism at David Jones was a deliberate strategy, informed by overseas experiments, management consultants and the new science of psychology. Welfarism at David Jones continued into the post World War Two period. However, new forms of retailing, in particular self-service, undermined attempts to create skilled selling. Elements of welfarism remain at David Jones and continue to support the firm???s corporate image as a provider of high-quality customer service.

Bibliography: leaves 349-363 / 363 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of History, 1989

Bibliography: leaves 369-391. / xiv, 391 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis seeks to elucidate the origins, nature and impact of age standards in the organisation of state-provided elementary schooling in South Australia from 1875 to 1990. The study traces the shift which occurred from ungraded schools to the classification and promotion of scholars according to attainment and then increasingly on the basis of chronological age. It also examines the introduction of specialist departments, teachers and pedagogy to better manage the youngest pupils. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Education, 1997?

Bibliography: leaves 422-466 / x, 466 leaves : ill., maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of History, 1986

Since C J Dennis wrote The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke in 1915 the Little Lonsdale Street precinct has been a symbol of rough, immoral inner Melbourne working-class community life. Scholars and journalists have perpetuated this negative image, and the major archaeological survey conducted by Justin McCarthy in 1989 confirmed the impression of a "lowlife slum". The only industry of substance that was acknowledged by these writers was prostitution. The Museum of Victoria has erected an exhibition, and prepared a web-site, about Little Lon based on McCarthy’s report. In recent years Alan Mayne, Tim Murray and Susan Lawrence have published research questioning the slum image and have argued instead that the precinct was, essentially, a residential neighbourhood. My hypothesis is that Little Lon was much more than a poor, working-class area. Over a long period it contained a significant enclave of successful family firms engaged in manufacture and other diverse activities. / My research has involved a macro-survey of all the industries in the precinct from 1860-1950 and micro-surveys of seven individual firms. Careful note has been taken of the manner in which Nonconformist, Lebanese and Chinese entrepreneurs clustered separately, but within the same small precinct. The influence within Little Lon of Chinese cabinetmakers between about 1905 and 1925, both industrially and residentially, was strong indeed. Preceding the Chinese was a cluster of Lebanese traders (some later becoming clothing manufacturers) and, throughout the century the Nonconformist industrialists consolidated their respective positions. Research questions concerning their motivation and effectiveness have been asked of each entrepreneur. The impact of religion has been noted. My research has produced a set of commercial histories of relatively long-term small enterprises, located within a defined city area. The development of each firm has been monitored by comparison with its respective industry as a whole.

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