M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) / Orientation: In this study the construct of psychological flow, a form of optimal experience, amongst a small group of South African engineers were explored. Research purpose: The main objective of this dissertation was to explore, describe, and gain an understanding of engineers‟ flow experiences at work. Motivation for the study: The motivation to embark on this study was threefold and based on a personal interest in flow, engineering and qualitative research. Research design, approach and method: I adopted a qualitative research approach by employing a multiple case study that is instrumental and explorative by nature. Three engineers from different fields provided their views and experiences on flow through semi-structured and structured interviews, as well as by keeping a diary. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Main findings: Confirmation has been found for the nine characteristics of flow according to Csikszentmihalyi (1990). A possible tenth characteristic, namely optimal pressure has emerged from the data where the participants indicate that they also experience forced flow. Implications of findings and discoveries: The understanding of flow and what it constitutes has implications for how engineers can „craft‟ their jobs, how managerial engineers may experience flow and how „incubating‟ engineers can experience flow and improve their performance. Contribution: This study offers a modest contribution to the world of engineering in that it can help engineers to know what is required in order to experience their work in an optimal manner. Furthermore, this study expands on current theoretical work conducted on flow by suggesting a possible tenth characteristic.

The 1996 Johnson stakeholder review of Australian engineering education recommended the development of a number of broadly defined attributes in all engineering graduates. The Institution of Engineers, Australia (now Engineers Australia) responded swiftly by switching the focus of its engineering course accreditation requirements from course content to graduate attribute outcomes. To maximise the effectiveness of this approach to the mechanical engineering discipline a clear understanding of the relative significance of a more detailed range of attributes to Australian industry is essential, yet the scope of the mechanical engineering profession is broad and views of individual practitioners contributing to debate on attribute requirements are largely influenced by their own often unique professional formation. The research presented in this thesis is unique in using a role based analysis of the relative significance of an extensive range of attributes considered relevant to Australian mechanical engineers. The study covers the six industries found to employ the greatest number of Australian mechanical engineers. The significance of these attributes in the core mechanical engineering roles of each industry are weighted according to the numbers of mechanical engineers employed in those roles. These attribute significance profiles are considered in the context of a study of the formative development of the profession under the extensive influence of 19th and 20th century UK and US practices and recent momentous changes in engineering employment and formation. A wide range of appropriate teaching strategies to develop the most significant attributes through proximal and distance learning are explored and a brief account of the candidate’s work in developing and assessing the use of technology to enhance flexible learning in the field of engineering education is also included in this thesis. Whilst major areas of the mechanical engineers knowledge base are considered as part of the main study, further case study based research is presented to assess in more detail the knowledge base requirements for Australia’s best performing manufacturing industry by ‘industry value added’ - Food, Beverage and Pharmaceuticals and as such provides an indication of the relevance of the content base of Australian mechanical (as well as chemical and electrical) engineering degree programs to an Australian industry sector.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 1999

Thesis (doctoral)--Universitetet i Lund, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 146-148.).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1971. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed June 11, 2007). PDF text: viii, 133 p. : ill. UMI publication number: AAT 3239364. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2009. / Open access. Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-158). Print copy also available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1992. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 504-509). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

This study was designed to examine various aspects of information use a selected sample of Brazilian mechanical engineers (BMEs) working in academic institutions in Brazil and to relate these findings to the influence of their personal, work and environmental factors. A survey questionnaire was administered to groups of mechanical engineers working in four academic institutions (Federal and State) located in the central-south regions of Brazil. Data were gathered on the following aspects of information use: frequency of use of information sources and channels; number of hours spent reading and communicating; categories of locations consulted; categories of people consulted; problems encountered in information use; attitudes taken by engineers when information is needed but is not available; types of information used and the engineers perception of the availability and pertinence of various information services offered by the engineer's information system. Hypotheses on the interplay between information use and educational level, productivity, reading language ability, seniority, interinstitutional involvement, project type, accessibility of the source; problems on information use and institutional restrictions on the use of information were tested.