The purpose of this study is to analyze the process of education in central Appalachia. Persistent economic and social problems in the region such as unemployment, low average incomes, low educational attainment, and widespread poverty have defied solution. This study uses primary data from high school-aged youths and their parents' in four rural school districts in Appalachia to examine incentive structures which encourage, or discourage, individuals from obtaining education. The study evaluates a number of influences on the value that individuals place on education including community and employer influences, the willingness of youths to relocate to obtain employment, and the perception of employment opportunities in the local community. The study also examines inter-generational aspects of educational behavior by analyzing the influence of socioeconomic background, and parental attitudes and values, on the attitudes and values of their children. The findings indicate that socioeconomic background, and parental and community influences have a significant impact on educational behavior in Appalachia. / Ph. D.

就業安定基金（就安基金）屬於政事型基金的特種基金，為勞委會促進國民就業各項舉措的重要經費來源。國內因近年來受到全球經濟不景氣及金融海嘯之影響，企業關廠歇業、政府財政收入減少以及失業率居高不下，對促進國民就業經費需求迫切，也使就安基金經費的運用效益更顯重要。以任務編組附設在勞委會職訓局下的就安基金管理會，肩負有效運用管理就安基金的經費的責任，其現有組織的功能是否能充分發揮，達成任務，值得關切。 本研究針對就安基金管理會組織運作與管理機制、就安基金經費分配妥適性以及就安基金運用效益等議題進行深入探討。本文結合採用文獻探討、次級資料蒐集及個案深度訪談等研究方法，對就安基金之運作與績效評核制度之現況及其面臨的管理議題進行分析。現況分析之主要結果如下： 一、 就安基金之經費執行與成果和上級之使命、願景及施政目標的關聯性有待強化。 二、 就安基金管理會屬任務編組，組織層級低且欠缺專責經營團隊。 三、 就安基金經費運用符合法定設置目的，惟較欠缺中、長程之規劃，資源分配模式有待調整。 四、 就安基金之績效評核機制與績效衡量指標，欠缺考量非財務性之領先指標及顧客回饋指標，無法有效指引成員朝向使命達成的方向前進。 就前述研究結果，本研究嘗試引用平衡計分卡之觀念與精神，對於附設於政府組織下之就安基金管理會，提出建議性之績效評估及管理架構與策略地圖，以作為協助就安基金管理會建構「以策略為核心」運作機制與績效管理之參考。 / The Employment Stabilization Fund (the Fund) is a special fund under the category of governmental funds. The Fund has been an importance resource for the Council of Labor Affairs in promoting domestic employment. The economic downturn and financial tsunami in recent years has severe impacts on Taiwan’s economy. Th shutdown of companies has resulted in the decrease in sources for funding from taxation for government and an increase in domestic unemployment. The Management Council Employment Stabilization Fund (the Management Council), formed as a task force under the Bureau of Employment and Vocational Training, the Council of Labor Affairs (the Bureau), is responsible for the performance of the Fund. As an important resource for promotion of domestic employment, the effective and efficient use of the Fund is essential. Using a case study approach, this thesis analyzes the operation and performance related issues with respect to the Fund. Literature review, the collection of secondary data and in-depth interview has contributed to findings in this study. The major findings of the current operation and management of the Fund are as follows. 1. The linkage between the allocation of funding and mission and policy of the Bureau needs to be enhanced. 2. Operation team should be formed with a higher hierarchy for the Management Council. 3. The allocation of funding is in compliance with the designated uses of the Fund. However, the mid-range and long-range planning is also required to enhance a more effective and efficient use of the Fund. 4. There appears room for improvement of performance management system. Non-financial leading measures such as feedback indicators from service recipients of the agency is not included in the current evaluation system. Based on the findings above and the concepts of the balanced scorecard, this thesis provides a performance management framework for the Fund. The suggestions include a better link between the use of the Fund and the mission of the Bureau, the operation and management action strategy of the Management Council, and the strategy map for the Fund.

Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Development)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / This qualitative case study investigates the relevance of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) as a solution to unemployment and poverty. A qualitative case study research design was used to collect and analyse the data. Data collection instruments consisted of interviews, questionnaires, observations and document analysis. Data analysis was largely in the form of thematic approach, since the study was qualitative. The choice of a qualitative design was informed by the need to engage the beneficiaries in their lived experiences during and after participating in the EPWPs. The main findings of the study were that although the EPWP improves the quality of life of the beneficiaries, however, it is not a sustainable solution to unemployment and poverty. That is because the structural constraints which confront beneficiaries at the end of the EPWP remain an obstacle to them in terms of employment opportunities and self-employment. The study therefore recommends a more integrated approach to the problem. It is recommended that the government develops a post EPWP sustainability plan which incorporates infrastructural and social development issues in all projects. Key words Poverty, EPWP, Unemployment, Work, Decent work, Productive work, Quality of Life Development and Developmental state.

This project attempts to explain impulsive behavior which is described here as behavior that cannot be explained by a rational thought process. There will be a concentration on the direct relationship between perceptions of equity and the intention to quit.

Thesis (M. Com.(Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The relationship between unemployment, exchange rate and inflation has been a subject of debate for many years. Given the fact that South Africa is faced with a very low economic growth rate, inflation rate which is likely to go beyond the upper band of 6 percent and a high level of unemployment, policy makers are often faced with the trade-off between unemployment and inflation rate in the country. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between exchange rate, unemployment and inflation in South Africa. The study employed Johansen cointegration procedures and the vector error correction model (VECM) to capture the relationship between the variables. The Engle-Granger causality test was also employed to analyse causality amongst the variables. The results of Johansen cointegration test indicate that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between the variables. The VECM also confirmed the existence of short-run equilibrium relationship between the variables. The nature of the relationship indicates that there is a significant negative relationship between unemployment and inflation in South Africa. This implies that policy makers are been faced with the trade-off between these two variables. The results further indicate that inflation is positively related to exchange rate, meaning a depreciation of the Rand (South African currency) in the foreign exchange market will feed to inflation in the home country. Furthermore, it is also indicated that unemployment is positively related to exchange rate. Meaning, a depreciation of the Rand in the foreign exchange market increases the level of unemployment in South Africa. All the results appeared to be significant. Policies aimed at lowering unemployment and inflation rate are recommended. It is also recommended that policy makers in South Africa take measures to improve the quality of education, skills training and steps to increase the labour intensity of production.