In this study, the relationship between formal training opportunities and internal promotions in organizations was examined in order to support the value of organizations investing in employees through training opportunities, as training is often seen as an expense to be cut in difficult times. Differences between general and specific training topics on the impact of frequency of promotion in an organization were addressed, as well as assessing differences between employees and managers. Training allows for a more capable workforce and pool of employees to pull from when an organization needs to hire. Hiring from within can save time, money, and allow for a proven person-organization fit that hiring from the external workforce cannot provide. The archival data used in the study were from the National Organizations Survey, 1996-1997 which included organizations of all sizes and forms. The analyses produced mixed support for the hypotheses. Significant relationships were found between hours of formal training and frequency of promotions of employees, and between importance of training in promotions and frequency of promotions for managers. Multiple regressions revealed that the hypothesis predicting that increased hours of training focused on general skills would positively contribute to promotion rates was not supported for either employees or managers. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to further investigate training and promotion practices. Significant contributions to hours and importance of training in promotion were discovered for certain types of skills training for both the employee and manager groups. Comparison between the employee and manager groups across variables found significant differences in certain skill type training. Practical implications of the findings and future study considerations are discussed.

Rational choice theory provides a blueprint for predicting individual behavior under the assumption that objectives and decisions are rationally identified and executed. Under certain conditions, actions reveal preferences and the ability to observe these preferences allows for the possibility to study the effects of subtle changes in individual constraints such as price and wealth affect preferences. For instance, recent work by Eckel and Grossman (2003), Davis, Millner and Reilly (2003), and Davis and Millner (2004) observe a preference for matching promotions over coupon rebates even when the two promotions types are strictly equivalent. An important question remaining is whether this result persists. This paper analyzes whether this seemingly anomalous behavior persists as individuals gain experience through repeated decisions in a controlled environment.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

No description available.

School-based health promotions targeted at improving nutrition and increasing physical activity are seen by governments and public health experts as integral to reducing obesity among children even though such promotions often produce disappointing results. This mixed methods research involving six case schools explored the application of marketing theory in educational settings and postulates that marketing communications processes are relevant when facilitating school-based health promotions. The research intention was to determine the impact of communication processes on the implementation of school-based health promotions by investigating children‘s exposure to promotions and outcomes of promotions. Hence stakeholder perceptions and expectations of promotions were analysed. Additionally, communication enhancers and inhibitors for promotions were identified and communication approaches used by Health Promoting Schools (HPS) were compared with those used by non-HPS. Principals and teachers were interviewed to discover selection, implementation and health promotion outcomes while parents were surveyed about the influence of school-based health promotions on their children‘s eating and exercise behaviours. Children participated in focus groups to determine their perceptions of health promotions, issues and behaviours. Data were analysed using a blended models framework combining best practice principles from marketing communications theory and behavioural theory. The framework was used to explore communication processes within school-based health promotions and behavioural outcomes of those promotions. It was discovered, first, that government policy and community priorities impact upon which health messages are promoted and why. Second, it was found stakeholder roles and relationships impact upon when and where health is promoted and by whom. Third, the extent to which health concepts are integrated into school life highlighted the importance of how health is promoted. Finally, it was established that communication processes and related behaviours, which take place within different environmental contexts, are influenced by communication noise, the skills and abilities of parents and children, and environmental conditions. Future research directions include examining how health priorities of school communities can be combined into a shared vision for health promotions. Clarifying stakeholder roles and examining formation, strength and success characteristics of stakeholder relationships in health promotions is a possibility too. Exploring the HPS initiative and environmental influences on healthy behaviours also warrants further investigation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-69). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1975.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-69). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1975.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell University, 1993. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 274-285).