The Living Standards Measure (LSM), a South African marketing segmentation method, is a wealth measure based on standard of living. This research study investigates whether a rationale can be found for the inclusion of value-related variables in this type of multivariate segmentation approach. Schwartz’s (1992; 2006) values model was used to operationalise personal values and individual-level culture – focusing on two of its dimensions, ideocentrism and allocentrism. The current positive psychology research trend manifests in the inclusion of subjective wellbeing (SWB), as measured by satisfaction with life (SWL). The primary objective of this research was to investigate at individual (and not group or societal) level whether values and SWL can be used to discriminate among multivariate consumer segments. Data were collected by means of a survey from a nationally representative sample (n = 2566) of purchase decision-makers (PDMs). The measurement instruments used were the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was used to assess the psychometric properties and test the equivalence of the scales across cultural groups. MGCFA was also used to test for differences across LSM groups on the PVQ and SWLS. Centred value scores were used to test for differences between LSM groups in terms of their values and SWL, using MANOVA. The findings supported Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, and small differences were found in the PVQ values between LSM groups using the MGCFA approach. MANOVA analyses showed stronger differences across LSM groups. PDMs in the higher LSM segments were more satisfied with their lives. No significant relationships between values and SWL were found, and the effect of individual-level culture, as a higher-order dimension of four values, showed a small but significant effect on SWL. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology))

Incorrect Afrikaans summary included in thesis. / Thesis (MPhil--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was aimed at using secondary data to conduct an investigation into the relationship between macro-economic factors on one hand and aspects of household life on the other hand. On the basis of the results thereof, an assessment was to be made of how such a relationship reflected on the living arrangements of households in contemporary South African society. The basis of the analysis was secondary data from the October Household Survey (OHS-96) data set, which is rich in specific information encompassing various aspects of human life, like demographic details and household variables as well as health, education and employment variables. As expected, the results showed that the current state of living arrangements of households is characterised by positive relationships between income levels on the one hand and households variables like type of dwelling and dwelling ownership on the other hand. However, the same findings further revealed a surprising outcome that unlike expected, there is no clear relationship between income and another significant household variable i.e. household size (members). However, our findings lead us to a conclusion that on the whole, there is a hypothesised relationship between macro-economic conditions of a country on one hand, and patterns in living arrangements of households on the other hand. The results further revealed that as expected, the factors of magisterial district and race/population groups have an effect on this relationship that reflect our legacy of social and economic development policies of the apartheid era which gave rise to urban (metropolitan) and racial bias in the socio-economic development of households. The results thereof are that African households in particular, and urban poor black households in general, have become the least prosperous in terms of material or economic living conditions. The implications of these findings for theory and policy are highlighted. At the level of methodology, the valuable experience of this study served to further highlight the worth of secondary data analysis, not only in general economic terms, but also as invaluable educational or teaching tool for students which recommends its increased use by all practitioners or institutions of social research methods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Internet en sy Kuberruimtes is ontwikkel in die 1960s as 'n manier om inligting oor te dra sonder die risiko van intersepsie en vernietiging. Vandag, 40 jaar later het die Internet gegroei in beide grootte en toepassing. Die mees algemene gebruike is nogsteeds kommunikasie en die oordrag van informasie. Hierdie tesis is 'n etnografiese studie van my ervaringe in 'n Kuberruimte van die Internet- 'n virtuele gemeenskap byname Amazon City.com. Virtuele gemeenskappe is areas op die Internet waar mense bymekaar kom om hul daaglikse lewens, kwessies en enige iets toepaslik vir die spesifieke gemeenskap, te bespreek. Die tipe gemeenskap word gesien as 'n reaksie van die verval van "derde plekke" in af-lyn lewe en globalisering Die gemeenskap wat vorm in hierdie areas ontwikkel kulturele veronderstelling. Hierdie veronderstellings word openbaar aan 'n nuwe lid deur tyd en interaksie in die konferensie area. Die veronderstellings wat ek ervaar het strek van kennis benodig om 'n aanvaarde en suksesvolle lid van die gemeenskap te word, tot taal gebruik en identiteit van die lede. Die konklusie is bereik dat lede hul interaksie en lidmaatskap in hierdie gemenskappe as net so bevredigend en "eg" ervaar as hul aktiwiteite in hul af-lyn lewe. Verdere aspekte wat 'n webblad 'n suksesvolle en ekonomiese vatbare besigheids strategie maak vir sy eienaar, was my volgende fokus. Internet besigheid groei teen 'n geweldige spoed, en impliseer nie slegs die verkoop van produkte aanlyn nie. Rekenaar-ondersteunde kommunikasie toestelle is geimplimenteer op kommersiële webbladsye nadat dit gevind is in die vroeë 1990s dat mense soek vir 'n plek wat meer is as net nog 'n winkel. Ander maniere wat hierde dot com webbladsye gebruik om inkomste te genereer en of die lede gesien word as burgers of as verbruikers word ook bestudeer. Daar is gevind dat die lede hulself sien as burgers maar webbladsy lojaliteit sal die lede aanspoor om as verbruikers op te tree indien nodig. Die kommersiële aspekte van die tipe webbladsy is 'n noodsaaklik deel vir die voortbestaan van die dot com webbladsy, en die gemeenskap wat daar ontwikkel.

The thesis The Personalities of the journalists - seniors in Prague intends to cover several subjects. It does not relate to present activities and opinions of the journalists - seniors only. In the first part the thesis focuses on description of the living standards of journalists at the times of so-called period of normalisation, when todays journalists - seniors were economically active. The main emphasis of the description is on the role of the Czechoslovak Union of Journalists. The thesis describes individual segments that union has affected its members through and where it provided benefits and support (abroad recreation, recreation, spa treatment, assistance in solving residential state, language courses). Materials from the Syndicate of Journalists Archive fund are used as the main source of knowledge. The essence of the second part of the thesis are standardized interviews with particular journalists - seniors. The evaluation of their answers complements the findings from the first part and adds some more findings from journalists everydayness in 70s and 80s and the role of the Czechoslovak Union of Journalists in relation to its members. Moreover it brings opinions of the respondents on the situation in media after year 1989 a their comparisons of the journalism in the pre-1989 era and now. Futher...

Thesis; Thesis information not provided; 17 Jul 2003. / Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information. "UCRL-LR-154423" Maxwell, R M; Tompson, A F B; Richardson, J H; El-Naser, H; Rihani, J. F F; Subah, A.; El Sha'r, W A; Al-Hadidi, Khair; Al-Awamleh, M; Al-Foqaha, M; Abu-Eid, O; Hayyaneh, R A. 07/17/2003. Report is also available in paper and microfiche from NTIS.

The Living Standards Measure (LSM), a South African marketing segmentation method, is a wealth measure based on standard of living. This research study investigates whether a rationale can be found for the inclusion of value-related variables in this type of multivariate segmentation approach. Schwartz’s (1992; 2006) values model was used to operationalise personal values and individual-level culture – focusing on two of its dimensions, ideocentrism and allocentrism. The current positive psychology research trend manifests in the inclusion of subjective wellbeing (SWB), as measured by satisfaction with life (SWL). The primary objective of this research was to investigate at individual (and not group or societal) level whether values and SWL can be used to discriminate among multivariate consumer segments. Data were collected by means of a survey from a nationally representative sample (n = 2566) of purchase decision-makers (PDMs). The measurement instruments used were the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was used to assess the psychometric properties and test the equivalence of the scales across cultural groups. MGCFA was also used to test for differences across LSM groups on the PVQ and SWLS. Centred value scores were used to test for differences between LSM groups in terms of their values and SWL, using MANOVA. The findings supported Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, and small differences were found in the PVQ values between LSM groups using the MGCFA approach. MANOVA analyses showed stronger differences across LSM groups. PDMs in the higher LSM segments were more satisfied with their lives. No significant relationships between values and SWL were found, and the effect of individual-level culture, as a higher-order dimension of four values, showed a small but significant effect on SWL. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology))

The subject of this thesis is the financial assessment of ownership and rental housing in the country. The theoretical part focuses on the standard living, cash flow planning for household, Czech housing fund and the most attention is paid to the possibilities of financing of own housing. These are mainly mortgage and building savings. In the practical part are applied previous knowledge to the specific case of renting an apartment and buying a flat. Different financing alternatives own housing are also made. Financial efficiency of rent an apartment and own apartment is compared in the long term.

L’amélioration de la survie des enfants demeure au cœur des préoccupations sanitaires en Afrique subsaharienne où la transition sanitaire est en panne depuis 1990. Ce contexte de crise sanitaire est concomitant à une récession économique et à une forte croissance urbaine. L’expansion rapide de la population citadine constitue aujourd’hui un défi majeur de santé publique. A l’instar de ses pairs africains, la Côte d’Ivoire, qui a expérimenté une forte croissance urbaine depuis 1960, a connu au cours des deux dernières décennies une absence de progrès notable en matière de réduction de la mortalité des enfants. L’analyse des tendances selon le milieu de résidence révèle un recul de la mortalité relativement plus important en milieu rural que dans les villes ivoiriennes. Cette situation amène à s’interroger sur les facteurs explicatifs de l’évolution de la mortalité des enfants vivant en milieu urbain ivoirien. L'objectif principal de la thèse est d’appréhender les facteurs explicatifs du ralentissement de la baisse de la mortalité des enfants vivant en milieu urbain ivoirien. L’analyse, basée sur les données démographiques et sanitaires réalisées entre 1994 et 2005, apprécie les effets de l’environnement contextuel démo-économique et sanitaire sur la dynamique de la mortalité et examine l’hypothèse d’une dégradation de la survie dans les milieux urbains pauvres. Deux constats ressortent des analyses. D’une part, il existe un réel ralentissement des progrès en matière d’amélioration de la survie des enfants dans les villes ivoiriennes, notamment à Abidjan. D’autre part, si les inégalités socio-économiques conduisent à des inégalités sanitaires, la dégradation de la survie concerne davantage les enfants des classes moyennes et aisées que ceux des ménages les plus démunis. En outre, la dimension sociale joue un rôle davantage important dans le comportement maternel en matière de recours aux soins: l’utilisation des services de santé étant relativement plus fréquente chez les mères issues de ménages de grande taille ou chez les migrantes. L’analyse révèle également une accentuation de l’influence des facteurs environnementaux sur la survie des enfants entre 1994 et 2005 et une précarité des conditions d’habitat. / Improving child survival remains at the core of health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa where the health transition is down since 1990. This health crisis is concomitant to an economic recession and a rapid urban growth. The rapid expansion of the urban population is now a major public health challenge. Like its African peers, Côte d'Ivoire, which has experienced a rapid urban growth since 1960 has failed to significantly reduce child mortality over the two past decades. The analysis of trends by area of residence reveals a decline in mortality, which is relatively larger in rural areas than in Ivorian cities. This raises questions about the factors explaining the evolution in the mortality of Ivorian city children. The main objective of this thesis is to understand the factors slowing the decline in the mortality of children who live in urban Ivory Coast. The analysis, based on demographic and health data collected between 1994 and 2005, assesses the effects of demographic, economic, contextual environment and health on the dynamics of mortality and examines the hypothesis of deterioration in the survival in poor urban area. Two conclusions emerge from the analysis. On the one hand, there is a real decrease in the progress regarding the improvement of child survival in Ivorian cities, mainly in Abidjan. On the other hand, if the socio-economic disparities lead to health inequalities, the degradation of child survival concerns more middle and upper classes than those of the poorest households. In addition, the social dimension plays a more important role in the maternal behavior regarding health care: the use of antenatal health services is relatively more frequent among mothers from large-size households or among migrants. The analysis also reveals an emphasis of the influence of environmental factors on child survival between 1994 and 2005 and precarious living conditions.

Att det i lagstiftningen inte finns en tydlig definition av vad skälig levnadsnivå är, medför bland annat en risk att behov av stöd för äldre bedöms på olika grunder. Syftet med studien är att undersöka biståndsbedömningar kring äldre i olika kommuner i Mellansverige för att se om det finns likheter och skillnader. Studien synliggör vilka bedömningsgrunder biståndshandläggare har samt fångar eventuella samband mellan biståndsbedömning och olika faktorer, till exempel arbetslivserfarenhet och kommun. Detta undersöktes genom en enkätstudie och analyser gjordes sedan i dataprogrammet IBM SPSS Statistics. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna för studien var handlingsutrymme, organisatorisk struktur, behovstolkning och åldrande. En av studiens slutsatser är att arbetslivserfarenheten är en individuell faktor som kan tänkas påverka tolkningen av vad skälig levnadsnivå faktiskt innebär, och att handlingsutrymmet hos dem med längre arbetslivserfarenhet och mer professionell kompetens upplevs begränsat då de upplever sig styrda av kommunala riktlinjer. Vidare är en slutsats att det finns skillnader i hur ofta biståndshandläggare beviljade insatsen städ och att detta grundar sig i den rådande politiska diskursen inom kommunen kring äldres behov samt vilket arbetssätt som råder. Studien kan bidra med att utveckla det sociala arbetets praktik till en mer likvärdig biståndsbedömning för de äldre / The fact that there is no clear definition of what a reasonable standard of living is in the legislation entails, among other things, implicates a risk that the need for support for the elderly is assessed on different grounds. The purpose of the study is to examine aid assessments for the elderly in different municipalities in the middle part of Sweden to see if there are similarities and differences. The study presents the basis for assessment aid administrators have and captures possible connections between aid assessment and various factors, for example work experience and municipality. This was investigated by a survey study and analyzes were then made in the computer program IBM SPSS Statistics. The theoretical starting points for the study were room for action, organizational structure, interpretation of needs and aging. One of the study's conclusions is that work experience is an individual factor that can conceivably influence the interpretation of what a reasonable standard of living actually means, and that the room for action of those with longer work experience and more professional competence is felt to be limited when they feel governed by municipal guidelines. Furthermore, a conclusion is that there are differences in how often aid administrators grant the cleaning contribution and that this is based on the prevailing political discourse around the needs of the elderly within the municipality and the working method that prevails. The study can contribute to developing the practice of social work towards a more equal assistance assessment for the elderly

Research shows an increase in alcohol consumption among older generations, leading to a rise in alcohol-related issues within this age group. In spite of this, there is a lack of knowledge and national guidelines regarding alcohol abuse among the elderly, resulting in complex work for social welfare officers and home care personnel who must balance the statutory self-determination rights of care recipients with a reasonable standard of living. Through 10 conducted interviews, this study aims to find out how social welfare officers and home care personnel work with alcohol abuse among elderly individuals. The data collected has been analyzed through thematic analysis, aiming to find answers on how professionals describe the work with alcohol abuse among the elderly, as well as how they balance self-determination with a reasonable standard of living. The study's result shows the complexity of working with alcohol abuse among the elderly, the lack of guidelines and policies, as well as the challenges it poses for professionals in their daily work.

This study aimed to develop a causal chain that illustrates the path through which a variety of factors influence consumer financial vulnerability. In order to achieve the stated aim, it was necessary to firstly identify the factors that gave rise to consumers being financially vulnerable. Secondly, the nature of the causal chain between the identified factors was determined. Thirdly, the causes of consumer financial vulnerability according to key informants in the financial services industry were determined. Finally, based on the results of the first three stages, possible explanations for consumer financial vulnerability were provided. Before the construction of the causal chain could be explored, a theoretical framework regarding household financial position as well as financial attitudes and behaviours was provided. The theoretical framework was supported by a description of the linkages through which consumers function and transact in an economy by applying chain reasoning. The chain reasoning was extended by providing financial statements reflecting the results of consumers’ interactions in the macroeconomy with an extract from the national accounts of South Africa presenting the income statements, balance sheets and relevant financial ratios of consumers for the period in which the research was conducted (2008 to 2009). For this study, the explanatory sequential mixed methods design was deemed appropriate to achieve the proposed research objectives. The research process firstly consisted of a quantitative strand where the possible causes for consumer financial vulnerability were identified after which the results were validated with data obtained in the second phase by means of four focus group discussions. To determine the factors giving rise to and establish the causal chain of overall consumer financial vulnerability, regression analysis was conducted. Based on the results of the regression analysis, it became evident that the financial vulnerability chain is not a singular linear process but rather a non-linear process (with contemporaneous and singular linkages) with a variety of factors influencing financial vulnerability, but also influencing each other over time. / Management Accounting / D. Accounting Science