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Quality control is essential as a means of survival in a market composed of intense competition, more knowledgeable consumers, increasingly complex technological growth and development, a scarcity of skilled labor, and increasing government regulation. Although sophisticated quality assurance systems have been developed and implemented in most segments of industry, these developments have been slow in coming to the garment industry, especially in the fashion sector where styles are numerous and changes occur rapidly. The purpose of this study was to investigate current problems of quality control experienced by manufacturers of women's fashion apparel, and to determine what quality control procedures have been developed which may reduce or eliminate these problems. / Fifty-four manufacturers of fashion apparel in Dade County, Florida, were interviewed. The price range of the items produced included all categories from "budget" to "high," and the sizes of the operations ranged from 300 units to 30,000 units produced in a week. The length of time the companies have been in business ranged from one year to 49 years. The type of production process varied considerably, from 100 percent production in the main factory to 100 percent contracted to private operations. The manufacturers also market their goods to a variety of types of retail outlets. / Specific quality control problems were investigated for each of the major steps in the production process. In addition, the amounts of returns of the incoming and outgoing goods were determined. / Specific quality control procedures (centering around inspection processes) were also investigated for all steps in the production process. The number of employees whose full-time responsibility is for quality assurance was also determined, as well as whether or not written specifications are utilized as a quality control tool. / The most severe quality problem identified by this study is with incoming materials, confirming reports that quality in the textile industry is declining. Neither type or size of operation influences the problems that the manufacturers are facing. / Though not as severe as with fabric quality, problems in the sewing operation are of great concern. Those manufacturers who contract the majority of their production have the most severe problems, while those who control the production have fewer problems. The areas of production where the problems are of less concern are in pattern making and cutting. / It was found that quality control problems can be influenced by the price range of the garments, the age of the business and the location of the majority of the production, but are not influenced by either type of outlet where the goods are marketed or by type of operation (larger corporation or independent). / In addition, it was found that quality control procedures used in the production process are affected by the price range of the garments. As the price increases, the quality problems decrease. Inspection procedures used are also influenced by where the majority of the production is done and the relative age of the business. The research determined that manufacturers who market their goods to either mail order houses or moderately-priced chain stores are more likely to have full-time quality control employees and use written specifications with the retailer. / Very few manufacturers in this study plan to make major changes in their method of operation to insure more quality and/or productivity. Only a small percentage of these manufacturers have sought assistance in solving quality control problems. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-10, Section: B, page: 3751. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.

The purpose of the study was: (1) to determine the difference in frequency of participation in various non-work activities by working, married men and women, and (2) to compare the difference in frequency of participation in various non-work activities by married men and women employed on traditional, compressed or flexitime workweek schedules. No conclusive evidence was indicated by previous research. / Fifty-one corporations utilizing alternative workweek schedules were contacted by telephone. Twenty corporations agreed to distribute the non-work activity questionnaires to employees. Seventy questionnaires (35 couples) per workweek schedule (traditional, compressed, flexitime) were mailed, comprising 210 individuals (105 couples). Seventy-four couples responded (27 couples--traditional; 26 couples--compressed; 21 couples--flexitime). The questionnaire was developed by the researcher and contained 136 activities divided into five categories (recreation, hobbies, family-oriented, community-social and self-enrichment). / The first four hypotheses were tested using a two by three by five repeated measures analysis of variance. Independent variables were: sex, workweek schedule, and non-work activity categories. The remaining three hypotheses were tested using a three-way analysis of variance. Independent variables were age, years of marriage, and educational level. The dependent variable identified for both analyses was the sum of the subjects responses to a Likert scale for each activity item. / The first analysis indicated the main effects of sex and non-work activities were significant as was their interaction. Women indicated participating more frequently in more activities than men. Workweek schedule did not influence male/female participation in non-work activities. The results of the three-way analysis indicated years of marriage was the only significant main effect; no interaction between age, years of marriage, and education was significant. / Recommendations for future research include controlling for age, education, and geographic location, while comparing two workweek schedules within one corporation. Recommendations for instrument revision include developing each activity category as individual instruments and redefining the Likert scale. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-03, Section: B, page: 0690. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1982.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of self-esteem, health, body satisfaction, and clothing interest of women age 55 and older. An additional purpose was to investigate the relationship between clothing interest and age, race, income, education, household composition, and employment status. / The sample consisted of 119 women age 55 years or older, living in Southeast Georgia. A survey interview was utilized, and data were collected by means of a nine page questionnaire. Four hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, frequencies, and sample means. / The data analyses revealed significant positive relationships between the women's clothing interest and the variable of race. In addition, a statistically significant relationship between clothing interest and self-esteem was identified. / A statistically significant relationship also existed between health and clothing interest. There was no statistically significant relationship between body satisfaction and clothing interest. / An implication of these findings is that clothing might serve as a tool to enhance coping ability of older women by making them feel good about themselves. Another implication is that older women with an interest in clothing may differ by culture and ethnic group. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-07, Section: B, page: 3585. / Major Professor: Carol E. Avery. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.

Dual-earner families are often faced with a problem of overload from the conflicting demands of family and work. Alternative work scheduling is believed to be a solution to this problem. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the compressed work week on role strain, family management, and family interaction time for dual-earner and single parent families. Control variables in the study were age, education, length of time employed, number and ages of children, marital status, and spouse's education and occupation. The sample of 219 nurses was selected from two hospitals--one using a 3-day 12-hour schedule, and the other using standard 8-hour shifts. Nurses who worked full-time and had children under 18 living at home completed the questionnaires. Instruments used were the Job-Family Role Strain Scale and the Job-Family Management Scale (Bohen & Viveros-Long, 1981). / Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses in the study. Work schedule was the main predictor of both role strain and family management: An employee on compressed work week scored lower on the management of role strain and lower on the measurement of difficulty managing family activities such as appointments, errands, shopping, school contacts, and health service needs than her counterpart on a regular schedule. Work schedule was also the most important predictor variable on time for children and time for self; however, child care arrangements and division of household labor were not influenced by work schedule. Time spent with spouse was affected negatively by the 3-day 12-hour week. / Employees on compressed work week expressed a high level of satisfaction with the schedule. The best aspect of the schedule was the additional days off, these days being used to spend time with their families and to organize their households. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-12, Section: B, page: 3735. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the housing related aspirations, expectations, alterations and/or additions, and satisfactions of Korean immigrant families as an attempt to explore family housing adjustment behavior to cultural change. / The framework of the study was based on the paradigm of family housing adjustment process prepared by the investigator. The interview schedule was adopted from the S-95 Regional Housing Project, Quality Housing Environments for Low-Income Families. It was modified by the researcher for Korean families. A random sample of 32 respondents was selected from the members of Full Gospel of First Korean Church of Washington in Virginia. / Data were explored first in the descriptive manner. Three hypotheses were examined. The .05 level of significance was used in the analyses of data as the basis for determining significant differences between groups categorized by selected independent variables such as number of children, length of residence, and type of residence. / The findings and the trend of the study support that Korean immigrants are satisfied with their housing in America. Based upon the results, the investigator recommends the following guidelines for planning Korean community and residences in America. (1) Korean immigrants whose children are grown-up would like to live in a Korean community. The findings seem to indicate a need for Korean residential communities in Washington, D.C. and its environs. (2) Kitchen structure should be redesigned for Korean immigrant families. (3) One "on-dol" (floor heating) room is desired in houses especially where elderly or working women reside. (4) "Dams" (fences) around the house are wanted by Koreans. (5) "L" or "U" shape of traditional Korean houses are preferred. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-06, Section: B, page: 1807. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1982.

Cooperative coworker preferences of 120 children from the first, third and fifth grades were studied. It was predicted that friendship, peer ability levels, and the value of rewards offered would affect coworker preference on a reinforced cooperative task. An analogue was created requiring the subjects to rate coworker preferences for friends and nonfriends with both high and low ability on a cooperative task. The subjects were randomly assigned to either a high or low reward condition. The rewards were offered contingent upon the completion of the proposed cooperative task. / The grade x sex x reward level x friendship x ability design was analyzed by an ANOVA with repeated measures on the friendship and ability measures. The data revealed significant main effects for friendship (p < .001) and ability (p < .001) with friends being rated as better potential partners than nonfriends and high ability peers as more desirable coworkers than low ability peers. A significant grade x reward level x friendship x ability level interaction (p < .05) indicated that older children were more likely to use ability over friendship as a criterion for coworker selection. This criterion also appears to be particularly salient in the older children when highly valued rewards are at stake. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings on the development of friendship concepts in children. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, Section: B, page: 1796. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

Using kilowatthour consumption as the dependent variable, renter characteristics, building structure characteristics, and reported household energy consumption practices of 277 apartment residents were tested with the BMDP9R All Possible Subsets Regression program. All of the variables regressed together yielded an adjusted R('2) of .70. In the regression of all the variables, two renter characteristics, education of the head and number of people, had the largest contributions to R('2) followed by a building characteristic, floor level. / Building characteristics regressed together yielded an adjusted R('2) of .56. Number of bedrooms, floor covering, glass area in the north wall, floor area, floor level, number of exterior doors, number of stories per building, and central heating and cooling were found significant. Renter characteristics regressed together had an adjusted R('2) of .50. Rent, number of people, education of head, race of head, and age of oldest child were found significant. Items from the household energy consumption practices questionnaire regressed together had an adjusted R('2) of .28. Color television, room air conditioner, water heater turned on six hours or less a day, black and white television, covered windows to block air infiltration, clothes washer, using lights when at home during the day, and belief that other things cause the most electricity to be used in households were found significant. / Some of the apartment complex blueprints were not available in the Building Inspector's offices resulting in missing data for the study. Estimates from means of data collected were used in place of missing data. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-07, Section: B, page: 2127. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the effects of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, and simulated sunlight on the colorfastness of selected advanced generation nylon carpet face fibers. The specific objective was to investigate and compare the possible effects of the identified atmospheric contaminates on selected acid dyes used to color advanced generation nylon carpet yarn. / Antron III, Anso IV, and Ultron were the three advanced generation nylon carpet face fibers used in this study. They were dyed with selected acid dyes and exposed to one and three cycles of ozone, oxides of nitrogen and 60 to 80 measured hours of simulated sunlight (xenon). After exposure, a HunterLab Tristimulus Colorimeter was used to determine color changes. The color measurements were tabulated and analyzed using the two-way analysis of variance, Duncan's Multiple Range, and the Pseudo-F tests. / The data analysis revealed differences in color change among the acid dyes but no differences related directly to the advanced generation nylon face fibers or the atmospheric contaminants. Some of the acid dyes changed color significantly when exposed to the contaminants, but most maintained their color throughout all the tests. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-02, Section: B, page: 0406. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 31-10, Section: B, page: 6093. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1970.