Roads investment and economic growth : similarity or divergence between developed and developing countries : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Planning at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

This research investigates how arguments for economic growth are perceived and advanced to promote road investment. In particular, it addresses the question of whether there is similarity or divergence between developed and developing countries given their different growth trajectories. In literature, the relationship between building roads and achieving economic growth is heavily reliant on quantitative tools while ignoring the socio-economic and political contextual details of developed and developing countries. Using the Aristotelian concept of phronēsis, the research undertakes a comparative case study involving New Zealand and Pakistan. Phronēsis is an intellectual virtue capable of incorporating practical problems and contextual issues in everyday life. The concept was operationalized for this thesis by devolving it into three main questions in which the roads policy direction, the associated processes and discursive pragmatism was explored. Detailed analysis of two major roading infrastructure projects, MacKays to Peka Peka (M2PP) in the Wellington region of New Zealand and a Ring Road in Lahore, Pakistan, shows that roads investment is promoted on the basis of national visions and policies without robust evidence of how economic growth will be achieved. The findings indicate that the national visions, related to case study projects, are not based on robust analyses and research but rather on strategic needs that advance the agenda of the powerful. The research found that the discourse of economic growth in each project was based on similar arguments about travel time saving, efficiency and employment growth regardless of public consultations. The research concludes that ‘economic growth’ is a niche created, advanced, and interpreted by power to achieve its strategic objectives in road development without contextual differences being considered in developed and developing countries

Assessing the Impact of Leadership and Quality of Work Life on Employees Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Jiangsu University

This research aimed to focus on the influences of motivational factors (e.g., Leadership (LDSP), Quality of work life (QWLF) on the employees’ job satisfaction (EJS).A quantitative method was employed in the sample size of 211. The convenient random sampling technique was selected for data collection. Data was collected through a field survey by using a closed-ended questionnaire. The analysis was done on the structural equation model of partial least square. More specifically, techniques of bootstrapping and PLS Algorithm were used. Thefindings for this study is consistent with previous researchers, prove the direct relationship between LDSP, QWLF and EJS. The positive and statistically significant effects of motivational factors and employees job satisfaction. This study assists the executives from different departments of Jiangsu University. Furthermore, the study conclude with some brief views that the organization need to recognize the significance of good Leadership and Quality of work life for maximizing the level of employee’s job satisfaction. This study offers an advantage to the society, boosting the values in people to add more to their jobs and may help them in their personal growth and development. Hence, it’s essential for firms to inspire their employees’ to work hard for achieving the firm’s goals and objectives