Based on a retrospective survey of science and engineering (S&E) PhDs from a UK research-based university with 7-10 years job histories and the design-based non-parametric analysing methods, this thesis drew on theories on careers, organisational knowledge and learning and labour markets to explore the interrelationship between knowledge flow and careers of science and engineering PhDs. The results showed that employment outside the conventional technical occupations is the main destination for the survey respondents. This labour market segment is not only successful at retaining its members, but is also the destination of the other career types. Furthermore, S&E PhDs in the conventional technical occupations draw quite a lot of knowledge from S&E doctoral training in their jobs, even from the subject-specific dimension of it. By contrast, members in employment outside the conventional technical occupations are less likely to perceive knowledge and skills from doctoral training to be useful in their jobs, and when they do, the emphasis is more on general analytical skills and problem solving capabilities.The results also revealed the distinctive labour market features of different S&E PhD labour market segments: the sharp contrast of the core and peripheral workers in academic/public research, the highly hybrid labour market form in employment outside the conventional technical occupations and the relatively more structured labour market features in technical positions in private sector manufacturing. Regardless of the differences, nonetheless, as a whole, organisational life is still a prominent feature of the S&E PhD labour markets. Furthermore, the extent to which fluid job mobility contributes to S&E PhDs' individual knowledge flow depends on the types of knowledge under discussion. The emerging occupations associated with the knowledge economy are characterised by high inter-organisational mobility and by an emphasis of sector-specific and general knowledge. However, even for sector-specific and general knowledge, we have demonstrated that to a certain extent, these types of knowledge and skills are sticky to organisations. Hence, S&E PhD experts and knowledge workers' careers and individual knowledge flow are not really boundaryless but moderately localised within organisations.

The purpose of this study was to develop an economic career choice instrument for grade 121earners, which conforms with the requirements of cultural fairness, validity and reliability. The various facets of adolescent development were analysed from the literature. Self-knowledge (identity) and career knowledge were analysed from various theoretical perspectives. The various facets of adolescent development had a direct influence on the career choice of learners. These facets served as a basis for the development of the different sections for the career choice instrument. In the empirical study a survey was conducted involving 321 grade 12 learners randomly selected from secondary schools in the Potchefstroom region. These learners completed the newly developed instrument. The reliability of the career choice instrument was determined by using the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. Factor analysis were used to determine the validity of each section of the instrument. In order to determine whether the career choice instrument was culturally fair, a series of one-way ANOVAS, followed by Tukey tests were performed, whereafter effect sizes were determined. In the study good reliability indices were obtained for all sections of the measuring instrument. The reliability indices obtained from the Cronbach Alpha Coefficients, coincided relatively well with the reliability indices obtained for the MB-10 (Meyer Interest Questionnaire), the Jung Personality questionnaire and the LISRES-Y. Concerning the cultural aspect, the different race groups, white, black and coloured learners, differed significantly in respect of social development and values. Recommendations for further research for the use of the instrument in teaching practice are formulated from the research results, in particular with reference to the designing of a career choice instrument. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2001

The purpose of this study was to develop an economic career choice instrument for grade 121earners, which conforms with the requirements of cultural fairness, validity and reliability. The various facets of adolescent development were analysed from the literature. Self-knowledge (identity) and career knowledge were analysed from various theoretical perspectives. The various facets of adolescent development had a direct influence on the career choice of learners. These facets served as a basis for the development of the different sections for the career choice instrument. In the empirical study a survey was conducted involving 321 grade 12 learners randomly selected from secondary schools in the Potchefstroom region. These learners completed the newly developed instrument. The reliability of the career choice instrument was determined by using the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. Factor analysis were used to determine the validity of each section of the instrument. In order to determine whether the career choice instrument was culturally fair, a series of one-way ANOVAS, followed by Tukey tests were performed, whereafter effect sizes were determined. In the study good reliability indices were obtained for all sections of the measuring instrument. The reliability indices obtained from the Cronbach Alpha Coefficients, coincided relatively well with the reliability indices obtained for the MB-10 (Meyer Interest Questionnaire), the Jung Personality questionnaire and the LISRES-Y. Concerning the cultural aspect, the different race groups, white, black and coloured learners, differed significantly in respect of social development and values. Recommendations for further research for the use of the instrument in teaching practice are formulated from the research results, in particular with reference to the designing of a career choice instrument. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2001