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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 380-398).

Retirement has different meanings for different people. Retirement represents a significant transitional period in the life cycle of an individual. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences and coping resources of retirees. The researcher applied an exploratory, descriptive research design employing the mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to identify participants who retired from a specific vehicle manufacturing company in Port Elizabeth. Semi-structured interviewing techniques and a questionnaire called the Coping Resources Inventory were used for data collection. The rationale for using a mixed method approach was to increase the validity of the research findings. Descriptive statistics and the framework provided by Tesch (in Creswell, 2003) were used in data analysis of quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The results of the Coping Resources Inventory indicated that the participants perceived themselves as having an average level of coping resources. The results from the semi-structured interviews reflected that participants’ retirement experiences are mainly influenced by the following three factors: (a) economic resources, (b) social relationships and (c) personal resources. Recommendations were made for future research and intervention regarding retirement planning. The researcher included suggestions for the implementation of a retirement preparation programme. Lastly the limitations and the value of the study were outlined.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 622-659).

published_or_final_version / Industrial Engineering / Master / Master of Science in Engineering

Background: Contamination of the skin and clothing may lead to workers inadvertently bringing harmful materials home and exposing family members, so called para-occupational exposure. This study investigates whether workplace contamination with respiratory sensitisers such as laboratory animal allergens, flour, isocyanates and enzymes is transported from work to the home environment. Methods: 3 laboratory animal facilities, 92 bakeries, 47 car body workshops, and 2 hospitals in the Grampian region of Scotland were invited to take part in a series of linked studies to increase understanding of the ‘take-home' pathway. Control subjects were recruited from staff and students at the University of Aberdeen. Take-home exposure assessment was carried out using two techniques: surface wipe sampling and vacuum sampling in workplaces, cars and homes. Samples were also collected in the homes of control subjects. Samples from bakers were analysed for total protein, wheat flour antigen (WFA) and fungal alpha amylase (FAA) while samples from laboratory animal workers were analysed for mouse urinary protein (Mus m 1). Enzyme cleaning agents were analysed for subtilisin proteolytic activity. Similar methods using SWYPE™ aliphatic pads for isocyanate contamination assessment were conducted among car body repairers. The pads were scanned and images of SWYPE™ pads were used to estimate contamination against the quantitative assay MDHS 25/3. All analyses were done by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) apart from the SWYPE™ RGB tests and gravimetric measurements. Results: A total of 13 laboratory animal workers in 3 animal facilities, 38 bakers in 5 bakeries, 13 car painters in 5 car body workshops and 20 control subjects participated in the study. Two hospitals were surveyed for enzyme exposures and 3 endoscope cleaning technicians were monitored. Evidence of take-home exposure was found for bakery workers, with potential contamination that could lead to home exposure in the car body repair and hospital workers. Higher levels of Mus m 1 contamination were detected on house door handles of non-exposed controls compared to the exposed laboratory workers (0.62 vs. 0.1 ng/wipe, p<0.001) probably due to exposure variability, might be because exposed laboratory workers being involved in a job that requires more hand washing than the general population, or suggesting widespread environmental contamination with this allergen, and these making it impossible to determine if work-home pathway exists for these workers. There was detectable WFA and FAA found on the hands, forehead, shoes, cars and homes of bakers. Compared to controls, bakers had higher median levels of WFA and FAA in house vacuum samples; the difference was statistically significant for WFA/total protein (516x10-6 vs. 164x10-6, p=0.031), FAA/total protein ratios (1.45x10-6 vs. 0.04x10-6, p<0.001) and FAA loading (1.2 pg/cm2 vs. 0.1 pg/cm2, p<0.001). Among car painters, SWYPE™ colorimetric colour changes score showed three positive SWYPE™ colour changes on skin, and three positive results on shoes of car body workshop workers. However quantitative colour analysis of the SWYPE™ pads proved ineffective for field measurements. Hand wipes of hospital workers during mid-shift and post-shift showed evidence of proteolytic activity, indicating possible spread of contamination from hands, unsatisfactory hygiene practices and the potential for take-home contamination of enzyme. Presence of contamination on footwear indicated that possible transfer of enzyme to other places including homes may occur. Conclusion: These data demonstrate the existence of pathways for take-home exposure of allergens among bakers via skin and clothing from workplaces to cars and workers' homes. The take-home pathway for laboratory animal allergens and isocyanates was not demonstrated and further investigation should be performed for enzyme cleaning agents used in healthcare settings by monitoring dermal take-home exposure with comparison to controls. Further work is needed to ascertain how widespread the take-home of respiratory sensitisers may be and the possible implications to the health of workers' families and the wider community. If parental occupation can lead to take-home exposure to respiratory asthmagens, and consequently to childhood asthma, then this represents a potentially modifiable risk factor for these cases of para-occupational asthma. There is a need for greater understanding of the take-home pathway of exposure to asthmagens and sensitisers and for a programme of education and control measures to limit the transfer of such material from the workplace to the home and wider community.

The South African Labour Market still lacks significant numbers of workers in spheres of decision-making. As a result the employers have been severely criticised by the trade union movement for not adopting worker participation strategies. This study was initiated in response to the recognition of the importance of worker participation as a dynamic and complex concept that allows both employers and employees to effectively participation in decision-making. The argument raised in this study is that worker participation promotes the spirit of solidarity, co-operation, satisfaction, tolerance, and discipline. It is argued in this study that the involvement of workers in decision-making creates a platform for dialogue. When both workers and employers start to dialogue a proper platform for worker participation is created. The objective of this study was to evaluate perceptions of whether worker participation can indeed lead to an increase in productivity and economic growth in the broader context. The study was also aimed at unpacking the argument raised by scholars that where there is worker participation, workers will feel the sense of owning the company and as a result they will be more satisfied with their jobs. After interrogating these issues a conclusion is reached that worker participation is essential if the company is to facilitate job satisfaction. This is supported by the findings of the literature review and the fieldwork conducted. As per responses given by the workers and managers, the findings of the study reveal that when employers do not introduce worker participation, it leads to the feelings of disempowerment and marginalisation of the workers. Both employees and employers are of an ideal that for the company to be run effectively and efficiently, the employees need to be given a proper platform to express their views. This then supports the arguments raised in the literature review that workers participation creates a situation whereby the workers voice is heard in the workplace. Furthermore, the results of this study conducted among workers and managers in Dunlop also reveal that in a work environment where there is no worker participation the production process is adversely affected. However, an important point to note is that both parties must be willing to accept each other as partners in decision-making. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-251).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Cleveland State University, 2008. / Abstract. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 8, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 295-312). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2009. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA) of Rhodes Investec Business School.