An approach to the occupational ideology and identity of informal cellular minutes vendors in Bogota, Colombia

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Casey Strange (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Stephen Sills

Abstract: This thesis explores the occupational ideology of informal street vendors of cellular minutes in Bogota, Colombia. Using a survey methodology and cluster sampling I collected 203 questionnaires from vendors at their place of business to explore the characteristics of informal cellular minutes vendors, as well as their thoughts about their occupation, using Social Identity Theory and the literature on occupational dirty jobs and stigmatized work as guiding theoretical perspectives for analysis and understanding of vendors responses to the stigmatization of a their occupational group. This research affirmed that in Bogota, Colombia, informal vendors of cellular minutes are using similar coping mechanisms as dirty workers and members of low status occupations in the United States and Western Europe, by emphasizing the positive aspects of their work. It also showed that the environmental and population characteristics which vary by neighborhood, have the most significant effects on vendors' responses and their tenure in the occupation, though gender and other characteristics can be important as well in determining what advantages and positive feelings vendors express about their work.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
Dirty Work, Identity, Informal Economy, Occupational Ideology, Occupations
Subjects
Occupations $z Colombia $z Bogota $x Sociological aspects

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