Defining Quality of Life in Alabama: A Perceptual Community Based Definition for Local Leaders

Abstract

Quality of Life (QOL), as a framework for evaluation can aid public policy making. There are many uses for such QOL studies. They are used in corporate and individuals site selections, comparing growth of jurisdictions, and measuring overall satisfaction in communities. Yet, a workable definition of QOL has befuddled evaluators for many years. A perceptual community based definition of QOL has potential for a synoptic benchmark for local policy makers. This study uses an elite survey method to perceptually define QOL in Alabama's major cities. The survey indicates that most of the services provided in cities are important factors in defining QOL. The survey also defines an “importance rank” of these services. The author asserts that such a derived definition can be used as an important benchmark for any city.     

The Impact of Mobbing and Job-Related Stress on Burnout and Health-Related Quality of Life: The Case of Turkish Territorial State Representatives

This study is to determine whether stress and mobbing are directly related to burnout; and whether burnout adversely affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Turkish territorial state representatives (TSRs). The results established that stress was positively and significantly associated with the burnout of TSRs, while mobbing was positively and significantly related to the burnout. HRQoL was negatively associated with the burnout. The findings showed that propositions of the theoretical frameworks of the study and literature were consistent with one another.     

Quality of Work Life in the Postnationalization of Human Resources: Empirical Examination of Workforce Emiratization in the United Arab Emirates

In response to the challenge of human resource imbalance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the government enacted a nationalization policy (Emiratization) which compelled organizations to hire national job seekers. The present study aimed at assessing the quality of working life (QWL) of 450 national employees in the public and private sectors. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that employees indicated an above average level of perceived QWL. Four factors were important to adding quality to the work life, namely managerial approach, prestige, pay and benefits, and professional development opportunities. These results and their implications were discussed in detail.