Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Davis, James E.

Committee Member

Wiseman, William M.

Committee Member

Stonecypher, Wayne

Committee Member

Scaggs, William F.

Committee Member

Parisi, Domenico

Date of Degree

8-11-2012

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Community College Leadership

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

College

College of Education

Department

Department of Leadership and Foundations

Abstract

The aim or purpose of this study was to statistically determine whether there were significant differences in obtaining employment and wages after training provided by East Mississippi Community College (EMCC). The training was specifically provided to employees of Sara Lee Corporation, LLC, after the massive layoff when the company closed its plant in West Point, Clay County, Mississippi. The plant, a food-processing entity, had been in continuous operation since 1902 after it was founded by two brothers from Clay County, Mississippi. Data obtained from the Statewide Longitudinal Integrated Workforce Management System, as reported by EMCC and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, were used in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify differences in age, training received, gender, race, and other characteristics. A logistic regression model was used to determine the odds of a Sara Lee employee being re-employed after training in manufacturing, retail, and other jobs. An ordinary least-squares regression model was used to determine wage rate after rehire and after training had been provided. The model also considered whether other services received by the employees such as food stamps, unemployment insurance, had a significant impact on wages or obtaining employment after training. The findings of the study indicate that there was a statistically significant difference in obtaining employment post-training based upon the type training received, and that particular training in manufacturing skills resulted in Sara Lee employees getting jobs in manufacturing. The results of the study showed a 90% employment rate. Income while employed at Sara Lee had a significant impact on employment income after training according to the study. Additionally, Black Sara Lee employees had a significantly lower wage rate than White Sara Lee employees and female employees had lower wage rates (more than $7,400) than male employees. Non-manufacturing jobs paid lower wages than manufacturing jobs, and younger Sara Lee employees were more likely (82.1 %) to find employment with higher wages. Finally, the researcher determined that other services received by Sara Lee employees had no significant impact on employment or wages.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20149

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