Abstract
The aim of this study has been to bring together research relating to types of orientations to work and factors associated with these different orientations, with particular reference to women employed in department stores at different levels in the occupational structure. Position in the family cycle, socio-economic background and education and qualifications were hypothesised to be associated with three possible job/career choices in retailing, giving rise to three categories of worker each with a different orientation to work, namely a social instrumental and a career orientation. Data was collected from 210 women employed at three different department stores and at the head office of a department store group, using self-completion questionnaires. The analysis of findings is presented in two stages. The first stage shows a clear association between social background factors and job/career choice. The second stage of the analysis shows associations between job choice and orientations to work. The main conclusions to be drawn from the study are that position in the family cycle, social background and education and qualifications have significant associations with the job choice of women employed in retailing. The study also shows that the three categories of worker demonstrate distinctive orientations to work namely career, social and social/instrumental orientations. The orientations of retail workers have been found to differ from those of manual workers as described by Beynon & Blackburn (1972). The study also has implications for understanding the position of women in the occupational structure. Analysis of the position of women shows a dominance of women in low level occupations and with the exception of Head Office a minority of women in senior positions. The study does provide some evidence to support the view that career expectations are reduced with marriage which may in turn affect career aspirations.