Research concerning trust relationships on the interpersonal level, particularly when studied in dyadic relationships from the follower’s point of view, is relatively scarce. Only a few researchers have attempted to link multiple dimensions of trust in the same study. The general aim of this thesis was to examine the nature, measurement and impact of trust within the work context. More specifically, the thesis tests the measurement invariance of a selected trust measurement instrument for male and female South African employees. Thereafter, the interplay between predictors of trust and trust itself is investigated. The thesis concludes with the testing of a structural model that identifies the nature of relationships between trust, psychological needs satisfaction, work engagement and intentions to quit. Throughout the study, the focus is on dyadic relationships where the direct leader is the foci of trust. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather the data. Two convenience samples were taken of 539 and 252 respondents respectively. The Behavioural Trust Inventory, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale were administered. The results of study 1 confirmed configural, metric and partial scalar invariance of the Behavioural Trust Inventory across gender. One item that measures one’s willingness to share personal beliefs with a leader demonstrated a lack of scalar invariance for female managers. Results for this item should therefore be treated with caution. Latent factor mean analyses revealed no significant differences between male and female managers on the trust scales. Results for study 2 confirmed the distinctness of trust propensity, trustworthiness and trust as separate main constructs. Trust was strongly associated with trustworthiness beliefs. Trustworthiness beliefs fully mediated the relation between trust propensity and trust. The observed relations between trust propensity and trustworthiness suggest that individuals with a natural predisposition to trust others will be more inclined to perceive a specific trust referent as trustworthy. Results for study 3 provided support for a model in which disclosure-based trust in a focal leader predicts satisfaction of self-determination needs and engagement, but it did not have a statistically significant direct effect on intentions to leave. Mediation analyses revealed that satisfaction of the need for autonomy facilitates the influence of trust on work outcomes, so that the impact of disclosure on engagement becomes more powerful and that it can effectively serve as a pathway to reduce intentions to quit.

Research concerning trust relationships on the interpersonal level, particularly when studied in dyadic relationships from the follower’s point of view, is relatively scarce. Only a few researchers have attempted to link multiple dimensions of trust in the same study. The general aim of this thesis was to examine the nature, measurement and impact of trust within the work context. More specifically, the thesis tests the measurement invariance of a selected trust measurement instrument for male and female South African employees. Thereafter, the interplay between predictors of trust and trust itself is investigated. The thesis concludes with the testing of a structural model that identifies the nature of relationships between trust, psychological needs satisfaction, work engagement and intentions to quit. Throughout the study, the focus is on dyadic relationships where the direct leader is the foci of trust. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather the data. Two convenience samples were taken of 539 and 252 respondents respectively. The Behavioural Trust Inventory, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale were administered. The results of study 1 confirmed configural, metric and partial scalar invariance of the Behavioural Trust Inventory across gender. One item that measures one’s willingness to share personal beliefs with a leader demonstrated a lack of scalar invariance for female managers. Results for this item should therefore be treated with caution. Latent factor mean analyses revealed no significant differences between male and female managers on the trust scales. Results for study 2 confirmed the distinctness of trust propensity, trustworthiness and trust as separate main constructs. Trust was strongly associated with trustworthiness beliefs. Trustworthiness beliefs fully mediated the relation between trust propensity and trust. The observed relations between trust propensity and trustworthiness suggest that individuals with a natural predisposition to trust others will be more inclined to perceive a specific trust referent as trustworthy. Results for study 3 provided support for a model in which disclosure-based trust in a focal leader predicts satisfaction of self-determination needs and engagement, but it did not have a statistically significant direct effect on intentions to leave. Mediation analyses revealed that satisfaction of the need for autonomy facilitates the influence of trust on work outcomes, so that the impact of disclosure on engagement becomes more powerful and that it can effectively serve as a pathway to reduce intentions to quit.

BACKGROUND: Elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) suffer from several comorbidities, which affect their health outcomes, as well as process of care. This study assessed process and intermediate clinical outcomes of diabetes care among elderly individuals with T2DM and co-occurring Parkinson's disease(PD). METHODS: This study used a retrospective cohort design with propensity score matching using Humana Medicare Advantage Part D claims database (2007-2011) and included elderly (age ≥ 65 years) Medicare beneficiaries with T2DM (identified by ICD-9-CM code of 250.x0 or 250.x2). PD was identified using ICD-9-CM code of 332.xx. After propensity score matching there were 2,703 individuals with T2DM and PD and 8,109 with T2DM and no PD. The three processes of care measures used in this study included: (i) HbA1c test; (ii) Lipid test; (iii) and Nephropathy screening. Intermediate clinical outcomes consisted of glycemic and lipid control. RESULTS: Multivariable conditional logistic regressions revealed that elderly individuals with T2DM and PD were 12 % (AOR: 0.88, 95 %CI: 0.79-0.97) and 18 % (AOR: 0.82, 95 %CI: 0.72-0.94) less likely to meet the annual American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended HbA1c and lipid testing goals respectively compared to individuals with T2DM and no PD. Multinomial conditional logistic regressions showed that elderly individuals with T2DM and PD were more likely to have HbA1c and lipid (HbA1c < 8 %; LDL-C <100 mg/dl; HDL-C ≥ 50 mg/dl; triglyceride <150 mg/dl; and total cholesterol <200 mg/dl) control. CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly individuals with T2DM, those with PD were less likely to achieve ADA recommended annual HbA1c and lipid testing compared to those without PD. However, PD individuals were more likely to achieve intermediate glycemic and lipid control.

Uppsatsen undersöker situationen på arbetsmarknaden för personer med funktionsnedsättning och arbetsgivares vilja att anställa personer med funktionsnedsättning genom förmedlares uppfattningar. Genom att intervjua förmedlare som arbetar särskilt med att få ut funktionsnedsatta på arbetsmarknaden har det gått att få en uppfattning om situationen. Förmedlarna utgör länken mellan personer med funktionsnedsättning och arbetsgivaren och har möjlighet att uppfatta båda perspektiven. Undersökningen strävar också att ta reda på vilka metoder förmedlarna använder för att påverka arbetsgivares anställningsbenägenhet och funktionsnedsattas anställningsbarhet. För att förklara hur förmedlarnas subjektiva uppfattningar är en del av en allmän kunskap om funktionsnedsatta användes Berger och Luckmanns Kunskapssociologi (1979). Det teoretiska perspektivet ger också en förklaring hur förmedlarnas erfarenheter, från att arbeta med funktionsnedsattas arbetsmarknadssituation, leder till ny kunskap som kan förändra människors uppfattningar. Resultatet av undersökningen visar att personer med funktionsnedsättning, särkskilt de med dolda funktionsnedsättningar som också har nedsatt arbetsförmåga, har en svårare situation på arbetsmarknaden än andra människor. Orsaken till det kan förklaras utifrån en bristande kunskap om funktionsnedsättningar hos olika aktörer på arbetsmarknaden men också de strukturella villkor som råder där och i samhället. / The paper examines, through the intermediary perceptions, the labour market situation of people with disabilities and employers' willingness to hire persons with disabilities. By interviewing intermediaries who work specifically with getting the disabled into the labour market, it has been possible to get an idea of ​​the situation. Intermediaries are the link between people with disabilities and employers and are able to perceive both perspectives. The investigation has also applied the methods intermediaries use to influence an employer’s employment propensity and disabled people’s employability. To explain how intermediaries’ subjective perceptions are part of a general knowledge of disabilities was Berger and Luck Mann's Sociology of Knowledge (1979) used. The theoretical perspective also explains how intermediaries’ experiences, from working with disabled people's labour market situation, may lead to new knowledge that changes people's perceptions.  The surveys result show that people with disabilities, in particular those with hidden disabilities who also have less capacity to work, have a more difficult situation on the labour market than other people. The reason for this can be explained by a lack of knowledge about disabilities of different actors in the labour market but also by the structural conditions which exists there and in the community.

There is consensus among entrepreneurship scholars regarding the importance of entrepreneurship toward the economies of countries. There is sufficient evidence to support the view that entrepreneurs are characterised by unique characteristics. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation have been widely studied and entrepreneurial orientation is considered instrumental for motivating individuals to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Previous research has also identified a correlation between entrepreneurial orientation and the performance of a firm. Many studies on the subject of entrepreneurial orientation have revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is multi-dimensional, for example, previous studies have identified autonomy, innovation, risk taking, competitive aggressiveness and pro-activeness as some of the factors that may influence entrepreneurial orientation. Given the importance of entrepreneurship with regard to job creation, the study attempted to identify the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students. South Africa is experiencing high unemployment levels among the youth and the need to identify the entrepreneurial perceptions of the youth is significant as future entrepreneurs will come from this cohort. The findings of this research study may assist different stakeholders such as government, businesses and higher education institutions among others to take appropriate actions to address the problem of unemployment and create a favourable environment where persons may engage in entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this research study was to determine the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students in the Vaal Triangle area. Autonomy, innovation and risk taking were identified as factors that may possibly influence the entrepreneurial orientation of Generation Y students in this area. The findings in this research study indicate that students regard themselves as being autonomous, innovative and risk takers. No significant differences were found with regard to the entrepreneurial orientation of males and females. In comparing different designated groups in terms of the three constructs, significant differences were noted among certain items, for example, Coloureds and Indians tend to perceive themselves as more innovative compared to other groups. However, further research is needed because there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that one group is more entrepreneurial than the other. The findings in this research study revealed that Generation Y students perceive themselves as being autonomous, innovative and risk takers. This is encouraging because entrepreneurial activities, to a large extent, are known to be influenced by entrepreneurial orientation. It is evident that the youth can be encouraged to be job creators instead of job seekers. / Thesis (MCom (Entrepreneurship))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012.

This thesis addresses to what extent childhood family composition – the number of siblings and whether the parents live together, or whether there are non-parental adults and/or half-siblings in the household or not – contributes to variations in adult earnings. The theoretical perspective suggests that resources mediate the effect. While research has shown that siblings, as well as divorce and remarriage, are negatively linked to child outcomes, there are inconsistencies in previous literature. There has been debate over the unconfoundedness of previous studies, something that is handled here by analyzing large sets of representative data using a robust parameter. The longitudinal dataset used is based on Swedish administrative data and the cohorts analyzed are born in the beginning of the 1970s. The data structure is well suited for the assumptions underlying the semi-parametric method propensity score matching. The findings show that family size impacts on adult earnings. However, this is not always of concern. For example, no effect of siblings is found in affluent families, and if siblings are closely spaced this results in better outcomes for children. Divorce and remarriage do not seem to lower the future earnings of children. Thus, this thesis shows that some of the most well-established patterns in the sociology of the family, namely the link between number of siblings and adult earnings, and between divorce/family re-formation and adult earnings, can be broken by resources.

A satisfação dos clientes é fundamental para a manutenção do relacionamento com a empresa. Quando eles precisam resolver algum problema, a empresa necessita proporcionar bom atendimento e ter capacidade de resolutividade. No entanto, o atendimento massificado, muitas vezes, impossibilita soluções sensíveis às necessidades dos clientes. A metodologia estatística pode ajudar a empresa na priorização de clientes com perfil a reclamar em um órgão de defesa ao consumidor (ODC), evitando assim uma situação de atrito. Neste projeto, foi realizada a modelagem do comportamento do cliente com relação à propensão ao atrito. Foram testadas as técnicas de Regressão Logística, Random Forest e Algoritmos Genéticos. Os resultados mostraram que os Algoritmos Genéticos são uma boa opção para tornar o modelo mais simples (parcimonioso), sem perda de performance, e que o Random Forest possibilitou ganho de performance, porém torna o modelo mais complexo, tanto do ponto de vista computacional quanto prático no que tange à implantação em sistemas de produção da empresa. / Customer satisfaction is key to maintaining the relationship with the company. When these need to solve some problem, the company needs to provide good service and have resolving capacity. However, the mass service often makes it impossible. The statistical methodology can help the company in the prioritization of clients with profile to complain in ODC, thus avoiding a situation of attrition. In this project was carried out the modeling of the behavior of the client in relation to the propensity to attrition. Logistic Regression, Random Forest and Genetic Algorithms were tested. The results showed that the Genetic Algorithms are a good option to make the model simpler (parsimonious) without loss of performance and that Random Forest allowed performance gain, but it makes the model more complex, both from the point of view computational and practical in relation to the implantation in production systems of the company.

A inclusão do escore de propensão como uma covariável em modelos de árvores de regressão Bayesianas para inferência causal pode reduzir o viés existente nas estimações de efeitos de tratamento, o qual ocorre devido ao fenômeno de confudimento induzido por regularização. Este estudo defende o uso do escore de propensão por meio de um panorama de seleção de variáveis totalmente Bayesiano, e através do uso de Gráficos de Expectativa Individual Condicional, que se trata de um elemento que pode aprimorar a análise de efeitos de tratamento. Tal ferramental pode ser utilizado como meio de identificar grupos que possuem diferentes respostas ao tratamento aplicado e para analisar o impacto de cada variável no efeito de tratamento estimado. / The inclusion of the propensity score as a covariate in Bayesian regression trees for causal inference can reduce the bias in treatment effect estimations, which occurs due to the regularization-induced confounding phenomenon. This study advocates for the use of the propensity score by evaluating it under a full-Bayesian variable selection setting, and the use of Individual Conditional Expectation Plots as a graphical tool to improve treatment effect analysis. These tools can be used to form groups with different responses to the applied treatment, and to analyze the impact of each variable in the estimated treatment effect.

Student-athletes enter higher education in the United States with diverse backgrounds and academic preparation. In some cases, student-athletes are underprepared for the academic rigor, social structure, and ethical expectations of these institutions. Athletic coaches are charged with the recruitment of highly skilled, competitive, and prepared student-athletes, while other athletic officials are responsible to provide the proper academic support, care, and overall well-being of student-athletes. If coaches, athletic administrators, advisors, and learning specialists could identify educational and demographic patterns related to student-athletes' propensity to trust, they would be better equipped to gain these students' trust and help them navigate the stress related to athletic participation and academic demands. This quantitative study investigates the influence of individual student-athletes' propensity to trust and the relationship between academic success, measured by grade point average (GPA). This study also examines the relationship between propensity to trust and demographic and educational variables that may assist athletic coaches, athletic administrators, and athletic support staff, such as advisors and learning specialists, in better understanding the impact propensity to trust has on student-athletes. To determine propensity to trust, the current study used the validated Propensity to Trust Scale by Frazier, Johnson, and Fainshmidt (2013) as well as a demographic questionnaire developed to measure students' background and educational attributes. Responses to an online survey from 221 student-athletes were collected from a large, private research institution that participates in Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association athletics. Statistical analyses, including t-test, analysis of variance, and Fisher's Least Significant Difference post hoc test, were used to identify between-group differences, while multiple regression analyses identified differences in propensity to trust among demographic and educational variables. Findings indicate there was no significant differences in propensity to trust among scholarship and non-scholarship student-athletes, sex, or marital status, but significant differences did exist among student-athletes who are members of the church affiliated with the university, returned missionaries from the predominate religion, minority, and transfer students. In addition, differences in propensity to trust between different athletic teams were found. Finally, findings also indicate propensity to trust is related to current GPA. Implications from this study suggest that propensity to trust can be a valuable consideration when assessing how to provide proper support to current student-athletes. This research also suggests that a propensity to trust measure may be useful when recruiting prospective college student-athletes. Schools should not assume that propensity to trust is consistent among each team and each individual student-athlete.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of dual enrollment course participation by comparing first-time, full-time traditional community college students who participated in dual enrollment (N=246) to peers (N=986) that did not participate. Dual enrollment participation was defined as taking one or more dual enrollment courses. The population for this study (N=1,232) included first-time, full-time students who graduated from public high schools in the service area of Northeast State Community College over a five year span from 2008 through 2012. Propensity score matching eliminated self-selection bias by controlling for confounding covariates such as parental education, high school GPA, and ACT scores. The major findings of the study included the following: dual enrollment participants (a) were nearly four times less likely to take remediation than non-participants, (b) earned approximately 1 extra credit hour in the first semesters of college, (c) earned higher first semester GPAs, (d) were 2.5 times more likely to graduate in 2 years (100% of degree time) and, (e) were 1.68 times more likely to graduate in 3 years (150% of degree time). The study concluded that dual enrollment benefits community college students in Tennessee, both at the beginning and completion of college. This is a significant justification for the current investment in dual enrollment by the State of Tennessee and for further increasing access to dual enrollment for all students, especially for students that live in rural areas, experience poverty, or are underrepresented in higher education.