This dissertation of limited scope explored via a qualitative reflective approach how pastoral therapy and care practices contributed to workplace transformation and ethics at a factory that had to be restored to profitability. In Chapter 1, the study's research curiosity questions how pastoral therapy and care practices could inform business in its resistance of workplace trauma and injustice. The epistemology of contextual theology and social constructionism is reviewed in Chapter 2 in its support of the research. Themes and ideas such as; participatory ethical care, ethics, the prophetic role, narratives, workplace culture, witnessing and participant awareness and empowerment are applied to workplace culture transformation. Chapter 3 explores the factory's dominant story of low morale, financial loss and feelings of no hope for the future in context of discourses of capitalism. In resistance to the dominant story, Chapter 4 focuses on practices and experiences that supported the factory's alternative story and Chapter 5 reviews the factory's alternative story in context of purposeful transformation practice. Chapter 6 concludes the study by reflecting on the research curiosity, the research aims and the researcher's development. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th ((Specialising Past Therapy) Practical Theology)

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Garret L. Lukens, for the Master of Architecture Degree in Architecture, presented on June 26, 2009, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: Office Design: Designing for Productivity in the Workplace MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Craig Anz This paper presents the potential for productivity in the workplace and the factors that influence it as it pertains to an architectural design project in Carbondale, IL. The project focuses on the physical, psychological, and functional affects that the built environment has, both negatively and positively, on the occupants of the facility. The design project is a 3-story office building for Leo Burnett Advertising Agency that will strive to increase the productivity of the staff within the spatial structure. As companies struggle to meet the financial demands of today's market, they tend to lose sight of the potential for productivity when faced with the initial and operational costs of the facility in which they work. Instead of trying to bring in an over abundance of employees to compensate for the lack of quality and production, employers should consider what can be done to unveil the potential of the current employees and increase their productivity. There are many factors that affect the productivity of people within their work environment. Environmental and workplace design plays a significant role on the productivity levels of the employees that work in an office building. Ensuring that employees have proper workstations to meet their needs, comfortable and healthy work conditions, and spaces that they enjoy to work in aids in their productivity. The building typology as well as the unique programmatic demands would challenge any designer to create a space that increases productivity for the workers and inspires their minds to create for themselves.

Employees choosing their employer rather than the employer choosing their employees have resulted in an increased interest of understanding what is requested among today's workforce. The growing generation of the labour market, Millennials, have been shown to create difficulties for organisations, in form of an increased turnover rate among them. In order to decrease the turnover rate, the purpose of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of Millennials’ preferences when choosing a company, and factors that would make them loyal. Previous theory state important factors that are affecting Millennials, but these are studies conducted in countries such as Canada, the USA, and India. Therefore, this thesis focuses on Millennials in Sweden. To gain a deeper understanding of Millennials’ preferences, semi-structured interviews, with non-standardised questions were held. To analyse the empirical data a thematic method was used. This made it easier to compare the data with previous literature. Findings suggest that relations with colleagues and managers are an important factor that affects both the choice of employer and the loyalty towards them. Moreover, psychological work environment, values, progress, and salary were mentioned as essential factors. Depending on the research question, the outcome differed. / På dagens arbetsmarknad har det visat sig att anställda väljer sin arbetsgivare, istället för att arbetsgivaren väljer sina anställda, vilket har resulterat i ett ökat intresse i vad som efterfrågas bland dagens arbetskraft. Den växande generationen på arbetsmarknaden, millenniegenerationen, har visat sig skapa svårigheter för organisationer, däribland genom ökad personalomsättning. Syftet med uppsatsen är att öka förståelsen för hur denna generation väljer en arbetsgivare och vilka faktorer som skulle bidra till deras lojalitet. Tidigare forskning har påvisat viktiga faktorer som påverkar millenniegenerationen, men denna forskning är främst utförd i Kanada, USA och Indien. Därför fokuserar detta arbete på millenniegenerationen i Sverige. För att få en djupare förståelse för generationens preferenser för en arbetsgivare utfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med icke-standardiserade frågor och analyserades med hjälp av tematisk analys. Detta underlättade arbetet i jämförelsen mellan data och tidigare forskning. Slutsatserna av analysen var att relationer med kollegor och chefer är en viktig faktor som påverkar både valet av företag, samt lojaliteten mot dessa. Utöver det var den psykologiska arbetsmiljön, värderingar, utvecklingsmöjligheter och lön viktiga faktorer. Beroende på forskningsfrågan blev innebörden olika.

Over 60% of the adult population in the United Kingdom is now overweight or obese or classed as plus size . This is higher than almost all other developed countries in the world. Even with numerous public health interventions, the incidence of being plus size continues to rise potentially changing the demographics of the working population. This presents a challenge to those involved in workplace design as the design process relies upon the utilization of appropriate anthropometric data to establish the percentage of the user population that will be accommodated by the design. The aim of this thesis is to identify issues affecting plus size people in the working environment, not previously explored within the literature. Furthermore, by understanding the size and shape of this population via the collection of key anthropometric data, this will help inform the design of safe, comfortable, inclusive and productive working environments for plus size people within the United Kingdom. A first stage Scoping Study (n=135) found that fit (equipment, tools, furniture, uniforms and personal protective equipment) and space (circulation and shared spaces within the working environment) were issues of concern to plus size people. This suggests that aspects of the current design of the workplace are not suitable, and may even exclude plus size people. A better understanding of the anthropometric requirements of plus size workers is therefore required. Self-reported anthropometric data is an acceptable way of studying large and geographically diverse populations and may assist in accessing the hard to reach plus size working population. A validation study (n=20) established that self measurement of 14 key anthropometric measurements, using a self measurement instruction guide, was a feasible and acceptable data collection method for a larger scale anthropometric study to further understand the body size and shape of plus size people at work. A unique measure of knee splay (for a non-pregnant population) was included. Defined as the distance between the outer borders of the knees whilst seated in the preferred sitting position it represents the observed sitting postures of plus size individuals not captured in existing anthropometric data sources. The larger scale Plus Size Anthropometry Study (n=101) collected anthropometric data of plus size working age people via self measurement. The findings indicated that the study population was substantially larger in circumference, depth and breadth measurements than the population of existing anthropometric data sources. Knee splay was also identified as a key anthropometric variable for plus size people, however, it is not included in any datasets or literature relating to plus size people at work. These factors may contribute to high exclusion rates from current design practices that seek to accommodate the 5th to 95th or 99th percentile of users and may explain the high incidence of fit and space issues reported by participants with a BMI over 35kg/m2 . Finally, semi structured interviews with stakeholders (n=10) explored how they would like the data from the plus size anthropometry study communicated and any additional requirements of a resource aimed at supporting stakeholders in meeting the needs of plus size people within the working environment. The primary concern from stakeholders was the lack of existing data on the size and shape of the plus size working population and the importance of access to such data in whatever format. A range of ideas were suggested including case studies, guidance and access to training which may assist them in understanding the needs of their end users ultimately supporting the inclusion of plus size people in workplace design.

xvi, 117 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Energy and environmental concerns warrant reconsideration of operable windows as a means of ventilating and cooling office environments. To design for optimal window use and performance, architects must understand human interaction with operable windows and the factors that influence occupant participation in their thermal environment. This thesis examines workers' personal control of operable windows in their office space through the lens of the following attributes: proximity, orientation, and accessibility to operable windows, office floor height, and the operational methods of windows. Three sites in the Minneapolis metro area were examined through site visits, informalinterviews, collection of physical traces, and a questionnaire. Research data reveal that proximity is the greatest determinant of window use. Other attributes have varying degrees of influence on use of windows. Surprisingly, workers valued operable windows significantly more for fresh air than for cooling. / Committee in Charge: Professor John Rowell, Chair; Professor Brook Muller; Professor G.Z. Brown

abstract: Facilities Management (FM) around the globe at different companies in different industries are often forced to make difficult decisions on whether or not to transition a workplace environment and how to decide what factors of a workplace environment can benefit or hinder a company's productivity. The data and research presented within this paper are targeted at aiding and educating FM in determining what factors to consider in a workplace transition to an open-seating design and validate the importance of recognizing how these factors impact the productivity of the individual and the organization. Data contained in this paper was gathered through two different survey samples: 1) a semiconductor company that transitioned its employees from cubicles and offices to an open-seating environment; and 2) a general study open to professionals and their experiences and opinions on workplace environments. This data was used to validate or disprove the views on open-seating workspace held by the FM industry today. Data on the topic of how employees react to being transitioned to open-seating environments and looking at the breakdown of the results between engineers and non-engineers is examined within this research. Also covered within the research is data on transitions to other seating environments outside of open-seating concepts to evaluate and compare transition types. Lastly, data was gathered and discussed on the amount of time needed to adapt after a transition and what environment types were linked to being the most productive. This research provides insight on workplace environments and transitions and how they have an impact on productivity and can be used in the decision process when considering transitioning environments. / Dissertation/Thesis / Appendix A - Example Survey / Masters Thesis Construction Management 2017

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a theory-driven and a atheoretical reminder point-of-choice (PoC) prompt interventions on reducing workplace sedentary behavior in office workers with self-reported low usage (<4 hours per day) of their sit-stand workstations in the standing position. The design of this study was a cross-over trial including randomization into either the theory-driven or atheoertical reminder condition, after completion of a no prompt control condition. Participants (N=19) included full-time, primarily female, Caucasian, middle-aged office workers. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of these two PoC prompt conditions on reducing sedentary behaviors through the use of a Therapy Evaluation Questionnaire. The secondary aim of this study was to assess the preliminary efficacy of the two PoC prompt conditions on reducing sedentary behaviors relative to no-prompt control using the activPAL micro device. For the primary aim, descriptive means adjusted for ordering effect were computed. For the secondary aim, mixed-effects regression models were used to cluster for observations within-persons and were adjusted for age, gender, race, job-type, and ordering effects. During the no-prompt control, participants spent 267.90 ± 68.01 sitting and 170.20 ± 69.34 min/8hr workday standing. The reminder PoC prompt condition significantly increased sanding time (b[se] = 24.52 [11.09], p=0.034) while the theory-driven PoC condition significantly decreased time spent in long sitting bouts b[se] = -34.86 [16.20], p=0.036), both relative to no prompt control. No statistically significant reductions in sitting time were seen in either PoC prompt condition. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences between the two PoC prompt conditions were observed. This study provides feasibility insight in addition to objective measures of sedentary behaviors regarding the use of PoC prompt interventions in the workplace. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Exercise and Wellness 2018

abstract: The dissertation explores how participants view the relationships between democratic principles such as freedom, liberty, justice, and equality in work and home environments and their impact on the health and productivity of people living within these environments. This information can be used to determine the gap between legal democratic instruments established the published laws and rights and the participants understanding and awareness of these rights. The first step in effectively capturing information from the participants involved developing a virtual ethnographic research system architecture prototype that allowed participants to voice their opinions related to democracy and how the application of democratic principles in various lived environments such as the workplace and home can affect their health and productivity. The dissertation starts by first delving into what democracy is within the context of general social research and social contracts as related to everyday interactions between individuals within organizational environments. Second, it determines how democracy affects individual human rights and their well-being within lived environments such as their workplace and home. Third, it identifies how technological advances can be used to educate and improve democratic processes within various lived environments such that individuals are given an equal voice in decisions that affect their health and well-being, ensuring that they able to secure justice and fairness within their lives. The virtual ethnographic research system architecture prototype tested the ability of a web application and database technology to provide a more dynamic and longitudinal methodology allowing participants to voice their opinions related to the relationship of democracy in work and home environments to the health and productivity of the people who live within these environments. The technology enables continuous feedback as participants are educated about democracy and their lived environments, unlike other research methods that take a one-time view of situations and apply them to continuously changing environments. The analysis of the participant's answers to the various qualitative and quantitative questions indicated that the majority of participants agree that a positive relationship exists between democracy in work and home environments and the health and productivity of the individuals who live within these environments. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Social Justice and Human Rights 2012

abstract: The purpose of this pilot randomized control trial was to test the initial efficacy of a 10 week social cognitive theory (SCT)-based intervention to reduce workplace sitting time (ST). Participants were currently employed adults with predominantly sedentary occupations (n=24) working in the Greater Phoenix area in 2012-2013. Participants wore an activPAL (AP) inclinometer to assess postural allocation (i.e., sitting vs. standing) and Actigraph accelerometer (AG) to assess sedentary time for one week prior to beginning and immediately following the completion of the 10 week intervention. Self-reported measures of sedentary time were obtained via two validated questionnaires for overall (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) and domain specific sedentary behaviors (Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire [SBQ]). SCT constructs were also measured pre and post via adapted physical activity questionnaires. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either (a) 10 weekly social cognitive-based e-newsletters focused on reducing workplace ST; or (b) similarly formatted 10 weekly e-newsletters focusing on health education. Baseline adjusted Analysis of Covariance statistical analyses were used to examine differences between groups in time spent sitting (AP) and sedentary (AG) during self-reported work hours from pre- to post- intervention. Both groups decreased ST and AG sedentary time; however, no significant differences were observed. SCT constructs also did not change significantly between pretest and post test in either group. These results indicate that individualized educational approaches to decreasing workplace sitting time may not be sufficient for observing long term change in behaviors. Future research should utilize a larger sample, measure main outcomes more frequently, and incorporate more environmental factors throughout the intervention. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Exercise and Wellness 2013

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2017-03-14T16:30:17Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese Fernanda 2015 completa.pdf: 1616162 bytes, checksum: ce5b590b9d775cc302c88fc16c77f246 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-14T16:30:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese Fernanda 2015 completa.pdf: 1616162 bytes, checksum: ce5b590b9d775cc302c88fc16c77f246 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-21 / O estudo tem como objeto a saúde e o meio ambiente do trabalho. Enfatiza inicialmente os seus vínculos com o trabalho subordinado – elevado, pela teoria jurídico-trabalhista clássica, à categoria de objeto deste campo do direito. Objetiva demonstrar que o adoecimento existe e se transfigura por resultar da subordinação da força do trabalho ao capital e tem impactos nocivos em termos de relações individuais, sindicais e internacionais de trabalho. Adianta que várias modalidades de trabalho, quando executadas, afetam também a saúde e a vida do gênero humano, dos animais, a biodiversidade, o meio ambiente e a natureza como um todo, dentro e fora do local de trabalho. Diferente dos caminhos seguidos pela doutrina tradicional, contrapõe os fundamentos da teoria jurídico-trabalhista clássica aos fundamentos da teoria jurídico-trabalhista crítica; estabelece um confronto entre as teorias organizacionais conservadoras e as teorias organizacionais críticas. Em vez de seguir o senso comum teórico, preconiza, por meio de uma visão multidisciplinar e centrada na teoria social crítica, em geral, e nas teorias dos movimentos sociais, em particular, que as formas de gestão e de administração – do fordismo, do taylorismo às versões gerencialistas mais sofisticadas, que capturam da subjetividade-, são responsáveis pela dualização do assalariado, a clandestinização, o adoecimento, o enfraquecimento das lutas sindicais. Esta concepção analítica apresenta uma proposição voltada para superar a visão comum à autoridade da velha doutrina, em dois sentidos: por meio das teorias dos movimentos sociais, privilegiar a retomada das lutas sindicais, em sua dúplice perspectiva– reformista e revolucionária- que, aliada aos novos movimentos sociais, serão capazes de ampliar suas pautas reivindicativas e de enfrentar o modelo de acumulação flexível-; uma modalidade distinta de acesso à justiça que possa interditar as ações dos setores produtivos locais, regionais e transnacionais que provocam as diversas formas de adoecimento e, ao mesmo tempo, comprometem e causam danos ao meio ambiente e à natureza. Afasta-se das versões ilusórias de todo idealismo, para enfrentar o direito como ele é e não como deveria ser. Do chão concreto das relações sociais propõe uma hermenêutica que aproxima os princípios do Direito do Trabalho aos princípios do Direito Processual do Trabalho capazes de interditar o caminho avassalador do adoecimento, da morte lenta no trabalho, da destruição do meio ambiente e da natureza. / The paper studied the health and the working environment. Initially, it emphasizes its links with subordinate work - elevated, by classical juridical-labour theory, to the category of its central object. It aims to demonstrate that the illness exists and is transformed as a result of the subordination of labour to capital strength, bringing negative impacts on individual relationships, trade unions and international labor. It says that various forms of work, when executed, also affect the health and life of mankind, animals, biodiversity, the environment and nature as a whole, inside and outside the workplace. Unlike the paths followed by the traditional doctrine, it opposes the fundamentals of classical legal-labour theory to the foundations of critical labour theory; It sets up a confrontation between the conservative organizational theories and critical organizational theories. Instead of following the theoretical common sense, it advocates, through a multidisciplinary approach, focused on critical social theory in general, and in the theories of social movements, in particular, that the forms of management and administration- from Fordism/ Taylorism to the most sophisticated managerial versions, that capture the subjectivity- are responsible for the dualisation of wage, the clandestinization at work, the illness, the weakening of trade union struggles. This analytical design features a proposition aimed to overcome the common view and the authority of the old doctrine in two ways: through the theories of social movements, favoring the resumption of trade union struggles in their dual perspective- reformist revolutionary- and that, coupled with the new social movements will be able to expand its agendas and face the model of flexible- accumulation; also discusses a distinct mode of access to justice that can interdict the actions of local productive sectors, regional and transnational, causing various forms of disease, and, at the same time, undermine and cause damage to the environment and nature. It moves away from the illusory versions of all idealism, to face the law as it is and not as it should be. The concrete floor of social relations proposes a hermeneutic approaching the principles of labour law to the principles of Procedural Law Labor, so that their union can be able to interdict the overwhelming way of illness, the slow death at work, the destruction of the environment and nature.