The purpose of this study is to examine the work environment of research and development (R & D) subsystems and ascertain the relationship between technological innovation and the work environment. The focus of the study is the semiconductor industry, (SIC 3674), which is a prime example of a rapid growth, research intensive industry. The industry, in the past decade, has been characterized by very rapid technological advances with a subsequent high growth rate for most firms in the industry. Two instruments were developed to measure technological innovation. The first instrument, the innovation index, estimated the actual innovations developed by each company since 1970. The index consisted of a comprehensive list of technological innovations that could have been adopted and developed by the companies in the industry. The second instrument, the perceived innovativeness questionnaire, assessed company innovativeness as perceived by the R & D personnel. The R & D work environment was assessed with the work climate questionnaire which consisted of ten work climate dimensions, selected for their theoretical relevance and importance in the light of prior research on innovation. These dimensions were: autonomy, cooperation, supportiveness, structure, level of reward, performance-reward dependency, achievement motivation, status polarization, flexibility and decision centralization. Interviews were conducted as part of the research study to provide information on the development of innovations in the semiconductor industry and, secondly, to determine what changes, if any, had occurred in the nature of the work environment of the R & D subsystems of the semiconductor companies. Data for the study were collected from eight semiconductor companies (SIC 3674). Respondents included all the vice presidents for the R & D subsystems of the companies and a total of 136 research and development personnel from the eight companies. Content analysis of the interviews suggests that: (1) innovation development in the semiconductor industry is perceived as a multiphased process rather than a single event. This process consists of three stages: idea generation and evaluation (initiation stage); approval and adoption stage; and development and implementation stage; and (2) the work environment of the R & D subsystem is characterized by relative stability of work climate over a period of time. Statistical analyses of the data offer some support for the view that technological innovation is related to the R & D subsystem work climate. Significant positive relations were found between technological innovation and the work climate dimensions of performance-reward dependency, flexibility, achievement motivation, autonomy, cooperation, supportiveness and perceived innovativeness; significant negative relationship was found between technological innovation and decision centralization. Work climate differences between the high innovative group and low innovative group showed significant differences between the two groups in the work climate dimensions of autonomy, performance-reward dependency, achievement motivation, flexibility, decision centralization and perceived innovativeness. The results of the study suggest that: (1) technological innovation is related to R & D subsystem work climate; (2) the nature of work climate that characterizes the R & D subsystems of highly innovative companies is different from that which characterizes their less innovative counterparts.

Mobbning på arbetsplatser är ett växande globalt problem som förekommer i alla yrkessektorer, men där kartläggningen av fenomenet fortfarande är relativt bristfällig. Syftet med studien var att undersöka skillnader i upplevd närvaro av vuxenmobbning på mansdominerade respektive kvinnodominerade arbetsplatser i en svensk kontext. Ett annat syfte var att undersöka om det fanns något samband mellan upplevelsen av arbetsklimatet, utifrån delaktighet/medbestämmande och negativ kommunikation. För att undersöka detta användes ett självskattningsformulär. Det använda instrumentet visade på en god intern konsistens. Deltagarna i undersökningen var 23 män och 5 kvinnor från två mansdominerade arbetsplatser inom ungdomsvården, samt 32 kvinnor och 2 män från två kvinnodominerade arbetsplatser inom äldrevården. För att analysera de insamlade data användes t-test. Resultatet visade att deltagarna från de mansdominerade arbetsplatserna upplevde att mer mobbning och mer negativ kommunikation förekom jämfört med deltagarnas upplevelser från de kvinnodominerade arbetsplatserna. Samtidigt visade resultaten att deltagarna från de kvinnodominerade arbetsplatserna upplevde större delaktighet och större möjligheter att påverka sin arbetssituation jämfört med deltagarna från de mansdominerade arbetsplatserna. Trots dessa resultat kunde det påvisas att deltagarna från de mansdominerade arbetsplatserna i studien skattade sina arbetsmiljöer som generellt mer positiva än dem på de kvinnodominerade arbetsplatserna. Ingen av dessa könsskillnader var statistiskt signifikant. Det fanns negativt medelstarkt samband mellan delaktighet/medbestämmande och negativ kommunikation, negativt medelstarkt samband mellan mobbning och delaktighet/medbestämmande samt ett positivt starkt samband mellan mobbning och negativ kommunikation. Samtliga samband var statistiskt signifikanta. Vi rekommenderar användningen av samma instrument i fortsatta studier avseende vuxenmobbning på olika arbetsplatser / Bullying behaviour at workplaces is seen as a growing global problem, albeit with little research that satisfactorily covers this phenomenon. The aim of the study was to examine differences in the perceived presence of adult bullying in male-dominated and female-dominated workplaces in a Swedish context. Another aim was to investigate whether there was any connection between the experience of the working environment, based on inclusion/participation and negative communication. To examine this, a self-assessment questionnaire was utilized on 23 men and five women within two male-dominated workplaces (juvenile detention care), and on 32 women and two men working in female-dominated workplaces (elderly care). The used instrument showed good internal consistency. In order to analyse the sampled data, an independent t-test was used. Results showed that participants from the male-dominated workplaces reported a higher 1 level of bullying behaviour and higher levels of negative communication styles being present in their work environment compared to participants from the female-dominated workplaces. Furthermore, participants from the female-dominated areas reported they felt more involved and experienced a higher degree of freedom to influence their work situation compared to participants from the male-dominated workplaces. Despite these differences participants from the male-dominated places reported their work environment as more positive overall than the participants working in female-dominated places. None of these sex-differences was statistically significant. There was a negative and moderate correlation between involvement/participation and negative communication, a negative moderate correlation between bullying and inclusion/co-determination and a positive strong relationship between bullying and negative communication. All correlations were statistically significant. We recommend using the same instrument in future studies on adult bullying at workplaces

ABSTRACT There has been a change in the nature of work over recent decades with an increase in the use of non-standard forms of work. Non-standard work includes for example the use of contractors and sub-contractors. These forms of employment lead to a greater vulnerability of the workforce. These workers are missing out on union representation, training opportunities and basic employment protection. This directly impacts the safety of the workers due to the confusing legislation over duty of care. It is often unclear who is responsible for providing occupational health and safety (OHS) training for these workers. It is for this reason the following report will attempt to gain a better understanding of the policies and regulations surrounding OHS in two countries. Sweden and New Zealand have been chosen as a focus for this research because they represent two different governing systems. The aim of this research was to describe what structures and policies regulate occupational health and safety matters in Sweden and New Zealand comparatively. It was also the aim of this research to seek insight into the policy conversation around OHS training in both Sweden and New Zealand. Three research questions have been used throughout the report to guide the researcher when selecting relevant documents collating the main themes and overall ensuring that the research stays on track. The questions are as follows: What structures and policies regulate occupational health and safety matters in Sweden and New Zealand? What characterises both the Swedish and the New Zealand work environment? What is the policy conversation around OHS training in Sweden and New Zealand? The methodology choosen for this research was a qualitative approach because greater in-depth  understanding for OHS matters were sought after. The research was focused around policy documents from both Sweden and New Zealand. The documents from each country were chosen because of their current and topical relevance to each country. The main findings from this research were grouped into five themes based on key termes identified in both countries documents. The five themes are as follows:  Work Environment and Regulation OHS Training and Attitudes Worker Participation OHS Research Longer Working Life Conclusions were made based on these themes. OHS regulation was found to be adequate in Sweden in contrast to New Zealand. In New Zealand there is a call for major reforms to be made to the OHS legislation because due to its lack of adequate coverage for the current workforce. The term work environment is used in Sweden and includes a more holistic view, compared to the term occupational health and safety which is used in New Zealand and focuses more on safety and the prevention of work-related harm. Inadequate training for safety representatives were found to be an issue both in Sweden and New Zealand. In Sweden safety representatives are entitled to sufficient paid leave to fulfill their duties including training, in contrast to New Zealand where the safety representatives are entitled to only two days paid leave annualy. OHS training was suggested to be a necessary component in many tertiary education programs both in Sweden and New Zealand. The suggestion was made to better prepare prospective managers who will have OHS responsibilities. Worker participation was found to be a necessary component of a well functioning OHS scheme in both the countries. It was not adequately regulated in New Zealand until the implementation of the Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Act 2002. In both Sweden and New Zealand new OHS research functions were suggested to be established. The changing nature of work is highlighted as a concern in both countries, because legislation does not adequately cover the new forms of work and is not conducive to OHS.

The current legislation in South Africa, namely the White Paper on Transformation of the Public Sector published on the 15 November 1995 by the Department of Public Service and Administration, addresses the need for transformation in the delivery of Public Services. The aim of this transformation process is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which public services should be rendered, with the emphasis on customer focused ways of working. The South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) as a public service healthcare organisation within the South African Department of Defence (SANDF) is also governed by the White Paper on transformation, and is constantly reminded of the call for improved service delivery to its clientele. According to Schenke (2001:8) it is critical to understand that an interdependent relationship exists between employee satisfaction and customer satisfection, and therefore an organisation would need to focus on both these assets. An integral part of optimising service delivery in the SAMHS and improving customer satisfection, would be to ensure job satisfection among the healthcare professionals who render the services. Spytak, Marsland and Ulmer (1999:26) noted that satisfied employees tend to be more productive, creative and committed to their jobs. A study was therefore undertaken to review job satisfection among health care professionals in a sample population in the SAMHS. The study examined the main contributing factors that affected job satisfection, and determined if there were differences in terms of job satisfection across the demographic variables of age, gender, marital status, employees with or without children and tenure. Finally it explored the correlation between job satisfection levels and intention to leave. The study constituted a comparative cross-sectional study of 61 healthcare professionals based at Area Military Health Unit KwaZulu Natal (AMHU KZN). The research methodology adopted in this study was a quantitative survey. Statistical analyses were completed using ANOVA'S, Pearson's Correlations and Factor Analysis. The results of the study indicated that there were four major contributing factors affecting job satisfection and these included, career management, strategic management and support, the nature of the work itself and interpersonal dynamics. There were no differences noted in job satisfection across the demographic variables of age, gender, marital status, employees with or without children and tenure. However results did indicate that there was a strong correlation between total job satisfaction and propensity to leave. A strong correlation was also found with each of the four main components affecting job satisfection, namely career management, strategic management and support, the nature of the work itself, interpersonal dynamics, and propensity to leave. Recommendations were made to the SAMHS with regard to job enrichment, compensation systems, staffing and promotions, and management style. The implementation of these recommendations could assist in improving the levels of job satisfection among health care professionals. The study also recommended further research to better understand issues that could impact on job satisfection of health care professionals in the military environment. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Many women have taken up higher positions in their companies in recent times both in South Africa and all over the world. Many more women are taking professional courses and will definitely find a place in the leadership position in the big companies (Sekaran, et al. 1992). As a result there is big change and there will be more changes in the demography of labour force. These changes make it essential that leaders understand how to capture the synergy for the emerging diverse group of employees. The best and brightest workers, whom we all seek, are coming out of a labour pool that is increasingly made of women. The aspirations of women have been changing dramatically as a result of civil rights movement and women movements and South Africa is a good example of the countries in the world where women have better opportunities of leading big organisations (Watson, et al. 2004). The inclusion of women in the leadership position of many companies has aroused the interest to investigate if there is a difference in the way women and men lead. This is important because the role of leadership and the style of leadership have been identified as the primary factors in determining organisational performance and competitiveness (Rechardson, et al. 2008). A major part of this study discussed and analysed the leadership style differences of men and women leaders. The study also took into cognisance of the importance of agents of socialisation such as the family (husband and wife), the media, religion and education on gender role in the society. We discussed the gender role ascribed to male and female in the society and how this has influenced the perception of their leadership styles. Males and females received different orientation from the media, religion, schools and colleges on how men and women suppose to behave. And how these orientations influence perception, interaction, and ultimately the leadership styles is an interesting area of study and somewhat more difficult to define (Rechardson, et al. 2008). A review of such differences serves as a starting point in the study of gender differences in behaviour and in the leadership styles; and why women may offer unique strengths essential to healthy growth and operation in an organization. The results of this study did not show much difference in the leadership styles of men and women leaders but there are a few differences in the leadership dimensions of the transformational and transactional leadership style. The Asian female leaders score higher in charisma than their male counterpart. Within positions female frontline (supervisors) scored higher on motivation (idealised influence), while the male middle managers scored higher on task oriented leadership behaviour. However insignificant the differences may be, it is wise to mention that women scored slightly higher than men in the leadership styles traditionally ascribed to women. For example, the results of table 26 show women leaders scored slightly higher than men in the participative/democratic and transformational leadership styles and they equally scored slightly higher in some dimensions of transformational leadership, intellectually stimulating, charisma, and motivation. Men scored slightly higher in autocratic, transactional and delegate leadership styles. Men also scored slightly higher in other dimensions like management by exemption and task oriented behaviours. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2010.

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The psychosocial work environment in hard professions is hardly studied and this study was implemented to observe port workers psychosocial work environment in ports of Västerås and Köping. There are two purposes with this study: firstly, to examine how ports of Västerås and Köping, Mälarhamnar AB, can improve and develop their business by using psychosocial methods. To do this, a questionnaire study and three interviews with workers were done and the results were used in a SWOT- analysis. Secondly, the aim is to be able to use the results and make a difference in the business development by adjusting the psychosocial work environment. The results show that the employees are happy at work and are happy with their work colleagues. The feeling of demand and control is higher for officials than for dockers. The feeling of being involved in decision making varies from interviews and survey. The interviews show that dockers are involved in decision making, while the survey shows low involvement. Generally the employees have good relationship to the immediate supervisor. To improve the business development Mälarhamnar AB need to identify which factors motivate their employees and which factors they use to motivate their employees. They also have to focus on the communication from foremen to employees and the communication should include feedback and recognition for well performed work.

Combining the different modes of communication into a singular and universal manner has truly created a new revolution. It is literally a revolution in the literal meaning of the vwrd-a radical change in the constitution of an entity. Being able to provide the spontaneous circulation of all information with disregard to format, graphical limitations, and separated sources, has "overthrown out traditional perception of the world," radically changing the importance of format into no importance at all. The history of computer evolution is relatively short in comparison to other major events of history, and now is the initial time for the role of architecture to put its foot in the door. Designers need provide an environmental conducive to the technology yet encourage and foster the basic human need of physical interaction. Since computers are usually enhoused within some type of construct, can a thoughtful, sympathetic, and reflective architecture act as a constant reminder not to loose the humanistic component of managing data, information, and decision making process.This creative project found how this role of environment as not being merely an office setting, but a global microcosm of electronic and physical interaction. The focus and the time frame of my thesis deals with the user of contemporary electronic hardware and need to control also their physical environment. The project found not to make my own interpretation of tomorrow s future of electronic communication, but to be concerned of today's user's freedom of decision personal environment and need of varying degrees of social interaction. / Department of Architecture

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between person-environment fit (P-E fit) and occupational stress in Ball State University employees. A randomly-selected stratified sample of 400 employees from four different employee categories were invited to participate in this study anonymously. Participants completed a demographic information sheet and three questionnaires: the Work Environment Scale, Ideal (WES-I) and Real (WES-R) versions, and the Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI). Two hundred and thirty one subjects returned test packets. One hundred and sixty and one hundred and forty seven participants, respectively, had complete sets of information for the actual discrepancy and perceived discrepancy which could be used for data analysis. Canonical correlation was used to examine the number and nature of mutually independent relationships between occupational stress and person environment fit (three subscales on the OSI and three subscales on the WES). The results showed no significant canonical correlation for perceived discrepancy. The significant canonical correlation indicates that the occupational roles subscale of the OSI is strongly correlated with the P-E fit system maintenance and change and less strongly related to the P-E fit relationships subscale of the WES. This study has implications for worksite stress management interventions. It is recommended that organizational interventions be emphasized more than individual interventions. These results also provide empirical support for an ecological model of health promotion and a systemic or organismic view of the world. Further study is recommended. / Institute for Wellness