Browsing by Author "Kalka, Beatrice S."

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    Dress, credentials and rater's sex in evaluation of physically impaired job applicants
    Ray, Geraldine H. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1984)
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the interplay of dress and qualifications of physically impaired males in a simulated employment-screening situation. The research design was a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial, with the independent variables being applicant's appropriateness of dress (high, moderate, low), applicant's credentials (high, low) and respondent's sex (male, female). A physical impairment was simulated by having the model sit in a wheelchair. Hypotheses tested were that the independent variables (appropriateness of dress, credentials and respondent's sex) would not affect ratings on personal characteristics, assignment of entry level salary or decision to hire the applicant. Ninety-four persons employed in management positions rated, on five-point scales, a bogus physically impaired male job applicant. Folders containing instructions, a job description, a 5 x 7 inch color photograph of the applicant, a personal data sheet and the rating scales were randomly assigned to the respondents who evaluated only one job applicant. A three-way multivariate analysis of variance was performed on the eleven personal characteristics as a group. Both dress (F = 2.18, P < .0034) and credentials (F = 5.35, P < .0001) had a significant effect on ratings. The model was rated higher on all eleven personal characteristics when more appropriately dressed and with higher credentials. Sex of the respondent was not significant, nor were there significant interactions. Three-way analysis of variance was used to test the effect of the independent variables on recommendation to hire and entry level salary. Recommendation to hire was affected by dress (F = 13.47, P < .0001) and by credentials (F = 9.46, P < .0029). Entry level salary was affected by dress (F = 4. 00, P < 0.0220) but not by credentials (F = 3.26, P < 0.0745). Sex of the rater had no effect on either recoommendation to hire or entry level salary assignment. From the findings of the study, one may conclude that dress as well as credentials have a definite effect on decisions made during the job-screening process of a physically impaired job applicant. These findings support similar research with unimpaired job applicants and reinforce the importance of dress as a factor in self-presentation.
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    The relationship between self esteem, self perceived clothing construction skill level, and the prices charged for sewing services in home based businesses
    Bruck, Karen Sue (Virginia Tech, 1988-05-10)
    The number of home based businesses (HBB) utilizing home economic skills and entrepreneurial skills has increased in the 1980's. This has brought about an awareness of the numerous problems being faced by the owners of these businesses. This study was designed to investigate the problem of pricing sewing services in HBB's. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships between self esteem, self perceived clothing construction skill level, and the prices charged for the sewing services. Data were collected using Rosenberg's self esteem 10 item questionnaire and three garment case studies in which the participants quoted prices and times for constructing each garment. A 51 item skills list, in which each participant rated her own clothing construction skills, was also completed. Demographic data was also collected. The instruments were field tested with seven seamstresses in the Blacksburg area. The pricing results from the case study field tests were used as standards for comparison in the study. The sample was made up of 46 seamstresses whose names were obtained from Virginia Cooperative Extension home economists. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlations, and Multiple Linear Regressions. Self esteem was found to be significantly correlated to self perceived clothing construction skill level. Broad price ranges were quoted for each garment. Urban price quotes were slightly higher than rural prices.