What makes for a just society constitutes one of the most intensely debated subject among political philosophers. There are many theorists striving to identify principles of justice and each believes his/hers theory to be the best. The literature on this subject is much too voluminous to be canvassed in its entirety here. I will, however, examine the stances and arguments of three key schools of thought shaping the modern discussion of social justice: libertarianism (particularly Robert Nozick and Milton and Rose Friedman), liberal egalitarianism (John Rawls and Ronald Dworkin), and socialism (Karl Marx and John Roemer). Each of these schools articulate sharply contrasting views. These differences create an intriguing debate about what the most just society would look like.

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Telecommuting is a significant workplace innovation that allows an increasing portion of the work force to work from home or work at a location remote from the central workplace at least one-day a week. Previous studies (Bélanger, 1999; Pinsonneault & Boisvert, 2001; Potter, 2003) have outlined that the reasons for the growth of this phenomenon are found in its perceived benefits for both the telecommuter and their employer: improved productivity, organizational loyalty and belonging, job satisfaction, savings of office space, increased flexibility, improved employee morale and employee retention and attraction. Telecommuting literature has provided models and theories about telecommuting concentrating mainly on the telecommuter's experiences and perspective. However, the ramifications of this practice have a broad range of potential impacts not only on the telecommuter, but also other parties in the work unit. Despite the tremendous growth in telecommuting, relatively few empirical studies (Duxbury & Neufield, 1999; Golden, 2007; Watson-Fritz, Narasimhan, and Rhee, 1998) have directly examined the creeping affect and effect of the telecommuting challenges on others in the work unit. Few studies (Bailey & Kurland, 2002; Cooper & Kurland, 2002; Golden, 2007; McCloskey & Igbaria, 2003) have investigated it from the non-telecommuters' perspective and how it affects their work outcomes and their attitudes More importantly, no earlier studies were found that had ever investigated the effects of the telecommuting arrangement on the non-telecommuter from the organizational justice perspective, and how this affects the non-telecommuter's job satisfaction. This study empirically examined the affects and effects of telecommuting on non-telecommuters, and within that context, examined the extent to which organizational justice perspectives affected job satisfaction. Major findings of the study revealed that : (a) the accessibility of the telecommuter is key, even if they are working offsite, (b) job type/position plays an important role in the selection process or in some non-telecommuters' decision to opt out of telecommuting, (c) there was lack of awareness of a formal telecommuting policy or understanding of how the policy was applied, (d) selection procedures can be biased and unfair, and (e) some non-telecommuters experienced envy and jealousy, frustration, resentment, anxiety, unfairness and anger towards telecommuting colleagues. The results of the study also revealed that interpersonal/interactional, and distributive justice both explained the statistically significant variance in non-telecommuters' job satisfaction. However, interpersonal/interactional justice (which focuses on the quality of interpersonal treatment individuals receive) explained a stronger statistically significant variance in the job satisfaction of non-telecommuters. / Ph. D.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether the separate contributors to procedural and distributive justice also affected the other form of justice. Previous research investigating these cross over effects of justice contributors had not examined inputs in addition to outcomes and procedures, and had typically assumed outcome level to be equivalent to the equitableness of outcomes. Subjects were 120 undergraduate psychology students. Outcomes, inputs and procedures were manipulated in a laboratory experiment in order to assess their independent and combined effects on distributive and procedural justice perceptions. In contrast to past research, the current study found a weak and inconsistent effect of procedures on distributive justice perceptions. Outcome level had a strong effect on both procedural and distributive justice perceptions. In addition, outcome fairness was found to effect procedural justice perceptions. When procedures were fair, the equitableness of outcomes influenced distributive justice ratings. When procedures were unfair, however, the equitableness of outcomes did not influence distributive justice judgements. Implications for procedural justice conceptualizations, equity theory and organizations are discussed. / Ph. D.

The arithmetic progressions under addition and composition satisfy the usual rules of arithmetic with a modified distributive law. The basic algebra of such mathematical structures is examined; this leads to the consideration of the integers as a metric space under the "factoradic metric", i.e., the integers equipped with a distance function defined by d(n,m)=1/N!, where N is the largest positive integer such that N! divides n-m. Via the process of metric completion, the integers are then extended to a larger set of numbers, the factoradic integers. The properties of the factoradic integers are developed in detail, with particular attention to prime factorization, exponentiation, infinite series, and continuous functions, as well as to polynomials and their extensions. The structure of the factoradic integers is highly dependent upon the distribution of the prime numbers and relates to various topics in algebra, number theory, and non-standard analysis. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to examine whether organizational practices' fairness (also known as organizational justice) and trustâ contribute to the enhancement of role breadth self-efficacy (RBSE), a form of proactive behavior. The sample consisted of 226 white-collar professionals in large and small organizations. Approximately 70% held a college degree. An a priori path model based on theoretical literature was generated to represent causal relationships among the variables. Two paths were explored: a) the relationship among procedural justice, trust in organization, and RBSE; and b) the relationship among interactional justice, trust in supervisor, and RBSE. Findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between procedural justice and trust in organization. The relationships between procedural justice and RBSE and trust in organization and RBSE were not significant. Interactional justice had a statistically significant relationship with trust in supervisor, but not with RBSE. The relationship between trust in supervisor and RBSE was not significant. Respondents expressed a strong trust in their organization, and a stronger trust in their immediate supervisor. The most important discovery in this study was the statistically significant relationship between education and RBSE. Individuals with graduate degrees reported the highest level of RBSE, followed by people with Bachelor's degrees. Globalization and technology are fueling demands for ever-increasing employee skills and higher levels of education. Organizations need highly educated, proactive individuals in order to be successful. Future research should continue to investigate variables and constructs that may enhance RBSE in the workplace. / Ph. D.

Statement of the Problem The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate a discrepancy needs assessment model that could be used to plan supplementary adult marketing and distributive education programs. Research questions addressed in the study were: (1) Is the discrepancy needs assessment model effective according to the evaluation criteria identified by Newstrom and Lillyquist; (2) Does a relationship exist between the salesperson's self assessment and the competence rating of his/her immediate supervisor; (3) Does a relationship exist between the salesperson's self assessment and the importance rating of his/her immediate supervisor; (4) Does a relationship exist between the salesperson's product line and the competence rating of his/her immediate supervisor; and (5) Does a relationship exist between the salesperson's product line and the salesperson's self assessment competence rating? Research Procedures Two populations were used in the study: (1) 260 full-time sales associates employed by Leggett department stores in the state of Virginia; and (2) the 30 supervisors of the 260 sales associates. A 17-item needs assessment instrument was developed, validated and reliability tested by the researcher. Statistical analysis included Spearman and Pearson correlations, ANOVA, post hoc testing, factor analysis and mean rankings. Conclusions It is concluded that there is very little relationship between sales associate and supervisor ratings of selling competence. Also, it is concluded that there is very little relationship between sales associate and supervisor ratings of importance of the selling activities. It is concluded that a relationship existed between supervisor ratings of sales associate competence and the product line sold by the sales associates. Finally, it is concluded that product line is not related to sales associate self assessment ratings of selling competence. A training course outline was developed and reviewed by: MDE professionals involved with supplementary adult programs; store managers from Leggett department stores; and Leggett staff members that assisted with the data collection. Each group completed a survey form that reflected the evaluation criteria identified by Newstrom and Lillyquist. The course outline was given a positive review by each group. / Ed. D.

Les élections politiques dans la République de Venise provoquaient des tensions entre normes républicaines, légales, sociales et religieuses. En conséquence, les patriciens développèrent une culture informelle constituée de diverses pratiques appelée “broglio” pour concilier ces normes. Cette culture se déroulait en parallèle aux élections et pouvait à la fois les dévier de leur objectif principal que les rendre plus fluide. Cette étude a pour objectif de mettre en lumière comment une culture pré-électorale de la campagne politique a réussi à s’imposer alors qu’elle était interdite.1500 patriciens prenaient place dans le Grand Conseil chaque dimanche et pendant les jours fériés pour élire les candidats. Le système électoral était strict : à travers une procédure complexe, seul le meilleur, le plus compétent et le plus loyal envers la patrie devait être élu sans prendre en considération les liens familiaux et clientélaires. Les patriciens appelaient ce principe “justice distributive” en référence au concept d’Aristote. Or, les patriciens devaient également soutenir les intérêts de leur famille. De plus, ils étaient intégrés dans un réseau clientélaire où les obligations mutuelles devaient être respectées. Si un patricien ne les honorait pas, il était exclu de la vie politique. Afin de réconcilier les normes républicaines avec les enjeux familiaux ou les intérêts de leurs amis et clients, les patriciens ont développé une culture informelle parallèle aux élections : le broglio. Certaines pratiques étaient illégales mais elles étaient tolérées de fait. D’autres, telle la corruption par l’argent, n’étaient ni légales ni légitimes. / Political elections in the early modern Republic of Venice used to generate tension between republican, legal, social and religious behavioral norms. As a result, Venetians developed a culture of informal practices called broglio to harmonize these norms. This culture ran parallel to elections and could both thwart and smooth them. The analysis aims to highlight how a pre-election culture of political campaign managed to establish itself though it was forbidden. 1500 Patricians sat in the Great Council every Sunday and even on public holidays to elect candidates. The electoral system was strict: through a complex procedure, only the best, the most competent, and those most loyal to the motherland were to be elected, without any consideration of familial and friendship ties. Patricians called it distributive justice, a concept dating back to Aristotle. Patricians had to favour the interests of the family. Besides, they were integrated in clientele networks, where mutual obligations had to be honoured. Whoever did not respect his social duties was excluded from political life. To reconcile republican norms with familial and friendship’s issues, they established an informal culture that existed in parallel with the elections: the broglio. Some practices were legally not permitted, yet tolerated to a certain extent. Others, such as monetary bribery were inacceptable at all levels.