When Mark David Chapman assassinated John Lennon in December of 1980, he explained that he had to kill him in order to promote the reading of J. D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Chapman's belief that he could become Salinger's protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is the genesis for this research. The concept that a person could identify with a novel or character in a novel to such an extent that he or she would commit murder is an extraordinary allegation.In order to further explore this accusation, this research focuses on three novels: Alexandre Dumas, pere's The Count of Monte Cristo, J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, and Stephen King's Rage. Michael Sullivan, Mark David Chapman, John Hinckley, and Scott Pennington read one of these literary works before committing, or attempting to commit, murder.This project traces the cognitive processes of these men in an effort to understand why reading a specific novel lead to a murder. By delving into the minds of these murderers, it can be determined if the novel itself is a motive, an impetus, for the crime, or a scapegoat. / Department of English

This thesis uses data collected from a sample of thirty-nine Canadian and thirty-nine American manufacturing firms to provide an empirical foundation for the assessment of the performance of Canadian manufacturers through most of the twentieth century. The unbalanced panel of Canadian firms covers the years 1907-1990. The unbalanced panel of American firms covers the years 1902-1990. To quantify the performance of Canadian manufacturers I measure relative technical efficiency by calculating the total factor productivity (T.F.P.) and labour, capital and intermediate input partial factor productivities of the Canadian firms in my sample relative to the American firms. On average I find that the Canadian firms have had lower labour productivity and intermediate input productivities, but superior capital productivity. When measuring the productivity of the entire production process simultaneously there appears to have been no consistent and substantial T.F.P. difference between the Canadian and American firms, on average. To explain the variation in the partial factor productivities between my Canadian and American firms I disaggregate the total variation into differences due to domestically unique input prices, output levels, biased technology and neutral technology. In general the Canadian firms appear to have been responding to lower labour and intermediate input prices and higher capital costs by using the relatively expensive inputs conservatively and the relatively inexpensive inputs liberally. The Canadian firms also appear to have been adapting their technology in response to the unique input market conditions they faced. The evidence that the Canadian firms in my sample were choosing input combinations and technology which reflected the domestic input prices they faced indicates behaviour consistent with competent entrepreneur ship. Additional evidence illustrating the Canadian producers' responsiveness to idiosyncratic and continental changes in their input market conditions reinforces the partial factor productivity evidence: The performance of the Canadian manufacturers' in my sample of firms, with respect to total factor productivity and responsiveness to domestic input market conditions, suggests that on average Canadian manufacturers have traditionally performed at least as well as their American counterparts. / Arts, Faculty of / Vancouver School of Economics / Graduate

No description available.

In the study of government accountability, there have long been arguments about which model is superior. These arguments, which are largely made by those in the performance and political accountability camps, state that their particular model is the best, and indeed only legitimate approach to ensuring accountable government. At the same time, there is growing research in policy tools but little in how accountability models and policy tools are linked in policy design. This study makes use of the context provided by the critical cases of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). With such large sums of money in play at a time of serious economic downturn and mounting federal deficits, government clearly has a responsibility to ensure accountability so that the public can be assured not only that its funds are being spent properly but also more generally, that accountability as well as policy tool choice is in the minds of officials as they formulate, adopt and implement public policy. The intent of this study is to present an argument in two main areas using the critical case studies of TARP and ARRA. First, that no one accountability model fully explains most policy tool choices in TARP or ARRA and that the use of multiple models is superior. Second, that we can link policy tool choices and accountability models in policy design. The standards used to establish what models explain what tool choices are in the models themselves. Each policy is explored individually in a chapter, and the lessons and results of this study are then presented in the final chapter. The data presented in this study indicate that a single-model approach may explain a few, but not most and certainly not all, policy tool choices in TARP and ARRA. Indeed, a multiple model approach proves superior to a single-model approach in all but a few instances. As for the connections between policy tools and accountability models, the data presented in this study show that they were strongly impacted by the policy formulation process itself, specifically the way in which the policy problem was framed and the speed with which it was undertaken.

The discovery of the variables that impact on the career aspirations of children is important in the development of effective programs and interventions. These variables can also serve as a basis to provide equal opportunities and to promote diversity in the work place. This study was driven by three primary areas of investigation. First, it sought to discover the perceived gender characteristics of selected occupations held by a group of children. Second, it sought to investigate in what ways the occupational patterns within the families of these children related to their perceptions of occupational gender characteristics. Third, it sought to explore in what ways the occupational preferences of these children related to their perceptions of occupational gender characteristics. A qualitative research design using multiple-case studies was utilized. Participants were selected from a pool of 76 fifth-grade students from a suburban elementary school. A purposive sample of 11 boys and 10 girls was selected from this pool for in-depth study. A structured interview schedule was the main source of data collection. Data analysis was based on the tenets of the grounded theory approach. This study revealed that these children assigned gender characteristics to occupations based on their underlying views of the meaning and character of femininity and masculinity. The occupational patterns in the families of these children were traditionally sex-typed and the boys perpetuated that pattern by selecting traditional occupations for themselves. The boys selected occupations which were congruent with their views of masculinity. Several of the girls broke away from the traditional sex-typed occupations of their mothers and aspired to nontraditional occupations. The girls who broke the traditional patterns were cognizant of the dominant social views and practices regarding gender-appropriate occupations. Nonetheless, they were undeterred in stating their aspirations of traditionally male occupations. / Ed. D.

This dissertation analyzes a black family's social, cultural, and educational experiences including factors related to their successes and failures during the past century in the United States. These experiences span the eras of segregation, desegregation, and integration. Specifically, the study examines what this family's members view as their strengths and weaknesses and how each has contributed to their high and low levels of achievement in school and society. Such data can be useful and applicable to black families and other cultural groups as they strive to achieve in school and society. This first-hand information can be valuable for identifying the specific issues and problems impacting the families being studied. Findings from these empirical data can contribute to the betterment of schools and society as families, educators, policy makers, and others focus on addressing these issues and seeking solutions to the problems. Sleeter's (1991) research includes varying theoretical views regarding the value of voice and empowerment for the betterment of individuals, education, and society. Ruiz (as cited in Sleeter, 1991) theorizes that having a voice implies not just that people can say things but that they are heard (that is, their words have status and influence), and Banks (as cited in Sleeter, 1991) suggests that "the position of the U.S. as a world leader demands that we deal more effectively and constructively with the enormous cultural differences in our society" (p. 297). Given the cultural diversity within the American population, it is deemed appropriate to include for this black family study an in-depth discussion regarding other families from various cultures, namely, Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Jews. Chapter 2 examines each group's experiences since their initial contact with the Anglo or dominant cultural group. Findings from this family research study can contribute to the betterment of America by providing perspectives to enhance intra/intercultural relationships among various cultural groups in our society. Enhanced familial and cultural relationships can be valuable not only to my family but to other groups and their families as they seek success in school and society.

This thesis is a case study applying George Lakoff’s theories regarding frames to a specific series of legislation dealing with immigration. First, literature is examined regarding changes in Congress and media and the relationship between the two. George Lakoff’s theories on framing are discussed, playing special attention to the familial models and biconceptualism. The case study regards immigration reform legislation that was attempted to pass through Congress in 2007, specifically the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 and the STRIVE Act. The application of Lakoff’s theories to this case study aids in further understanding the link between politics and communication and the importance of persuasion in a political setting. / Department of Political Science

by Leung Man-Wai, Dannie. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-70). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.5 / Chapter III. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.7 / Reengineering --- p.7 / What is Reengineering? --- p.7 / Approaches to Reengineering --- p.10 / The Role of Management in Reengineering --- p.11 / Why Reengineering Project Failed and Succeeded? --- p.13 / Relationship Between Reengineering and Information Technology --- p.14 / Human Dimensions in Reengineering --- p.16 / The Concept of Selling Chain Management --- p.18 / Chapter IV. --- REENGINEERING THE SELLING CHAIN AT DATA GENERAL CORPORATION --- p.20 / Company Background --- p.20 / Call to Action --- p.21 / The Reengineering Competency Group --- p.22 / Reengineer the Selling Chain --- p.24 / Problems Before Reengineering --- p.24 / Three Phases of Reengineering --- p.27 / Redesign Concepts Applied --- p.37 / The Lessons Learnt --- p.38 / The Reengineered Data General --- p.42 / Critical Success Factors of Data General Reengineering --- p.42 / Chapter V. --- TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED SELLING --- p.45 / Aligning Technology-Enabled Selling with Selling Chain Management --- p.45 / What Is Technology-Enabled Selling? --- p.46 / The Impact of the Sales Organization on SCM --- p.46 / A Transition in Customer Relationships --- p.47 / Moving the Decision Point --- p.47 / Fact-Based Presentation --- p.48 / Optimizing the Selling Chain and Maximizing Profit --- p.49 / The Building Blocks of Technology-Enabled Selling --- p.49 / Opportunity Management System --- p.49 / Marketing Information System --- p.50 / Sales Configuration System --- p.51 / Sales Order Management System --- p.53 / The Interactive Selling System --- p.53 / Which Building Block Should be Implemented First? --- p.54 / Leveraging the Benefits of Technology-Enabled Selling --- p.55 / Avoiding the Cost-Reduction Pitfall --- p.55 / Understand the Market Force --- p.56 / Demonstrating Customer Value --- p.57 / Selling Models Consideration --- p.58 / Chapter VI. --- REDESIGNING DATA GENERAL'S SELLING CHAIN IN ASIA --- p.62 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUSION --- p.67 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.68

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences between testate or intestate university employees relative to: 1) demographic characteristics (age, income health, marital status, education, number of children, housing tenure, and gender), 2) planned personal and family retirement income sources (including: savings, individual retirement accounts, mutual funds, stocks and/or bonds, income from property ownership, sale of real estate or other property, annuities, or paid-up life insurance), 3) total number of planned personal and family retirement income sources. The study also examined anticipated decision making difficulty scores on certain housing issues for testate or intestate university employees, to determine if there was a significant difference in university employees' mean decision making difficulty scores on certain housing issues by testacy status, income level, and age, or gender. Data were collected in a 1987 Western Region mail survey (Thinking Ahead to Retirement: Community and Housing Choices), of land grant university employees in nine western states. The sample consisted of 5663 land grant university employees who were at least 40 years of age. Statistical analyses of the data were computed using Chi-square tests, T-tests, and General Linear Models (GLM/ANOVA) procedures with Student Newman-Keuls (SNK) post hoc tests. Chi-square analysis results revealed significant differences among testacy status on all demographic variables. Evidenced by findings, testacy rates were higher among university employees who were 1) older, 2) higher income, 3) higher education level, and 4) male. Chi-square analysis indicates an association between testacy and being married or widowed, having children, and owning one's home. Testacy is more common among university employees who plan more numbers and types of personal and family retirement income sources. Significant differences were also found among testacy status and all of the planned personal and family retirement income sources. Testate employees had significantly larger total number of planned retirement income sources than intestate employees. Testate respondents had a higher mean decision making difficulty score of certain housing issues (1.89) than did intestate respondents (1.86). Results of the decision making question indicate university employees perceptions of how difficult they think it will be to make future decisions about aging and housing issues. GLM /ANOVA results indicated that employees with income above $25,000, aged 40 to 49 years, and male anticipated greater decision making difficulty on certain housing issues than respondents in other categories. Results of this research could be of interest and use to university policy makers, educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers. Applying these results, these groups can target families with high need, and assist these families in achieving personal and family, testacy, and financial goals. / Graduation date: 1991

This study looks at the concepts of organizational commitment and communication. Multiple methods of ethnography and interviews were used to study teacher commitment to their school. Specifically, I focused on teachers within private elementary and secondary schools. Meyer and Allen’s (1991) conceptualization of organizational commitment was used as the basis for understanding commitment. Questions were asked of participants during the interview that focused on their commitment as it related to their attachment or identification with the organization, the costs associated with leaving the organization, and their sense of duty or moral obligation to the organization. I found that teachers demonstrated a five stage process towards organizational commitment. The first stage for the teacher is the calling to the vocation and/or school. The calling was found to have confirmations, be dynamic, and sustain commitment. The second stage is the enactment of the calling in the form of action. A distinction was made between action that was aligned with the job description and action that was sacrificial and went beyond what was required in the job description. The third stage is the result of this action in the form of conflict. Conflict was seen as an iterative process that involved the elements of person, peers, administration, and policies. It is at the point of conflict that a teacher enters the fourth stage towards commitment. This stage is seen as the decision stage. The decision to remain with or leave the organization was also based on the elements of person, peers, administration, and policies. The final stage along the way to commitment is perseverance. It is in this stage that the individual decides to persevere or commit to the organization. This study also found that negative communication, in the form of complaining can be perceived as lacking commitment to the organization. Distinctions were made between complaining that was aimed at organizational change and complaining that appeared to be for the sake of complaining. Teachers who complained for the sake of complaining were viewed as lacking commitment to the organization. This paper concluded with implications for future research. / text