1、2500 英文单词， 14500 英文字符， 中文 3350 字 文献出处： Andrews C K. Do-it-yourself: Self-checkouts, supermarkets, and the self-service trend in American businessJ. Dissertations & Theses - Gradworks, 2009. DO-IT-YOURSELF: SELF-CHECKOUTS, SUPERMARKETS, AND THE SELF- SERVICE TREND IN AMERICAN BUSINESS Christopher K.
2、Andrews Abstract： A significant portion of sociology has always taken as its central focus the underlying relationship between economy and society. This dissertation continues this tradition by examining how self-service and its do-it-yourself ethos is changing the U.S. economy and the way in which
3、Americans consume goods and services. Focusing upon the supermarket industry and the three principle stakeholder groups involved employers, employees, and consumers this dissertation examines why businesses are adopting automated checkout lanes. Particular attention is given to the reasons cited for
4、 their introduction, their effect upon work and employment in the industry, and the publics perception and attitude towards the technology. This dissertation adopts a multi-method approach, using information collected from eighty face-to-face interviews with customers, employees, and store managers,
5、 as well as secondary data and nonparticipant observation. Secondary data sources include published economic indicators and employment statistics, as well as information provid ed by newspaper and retail industry publications; nonparticipant observation was used to collect field notes documenting st
6、affing levels, customer behavior, and other related information. Precisely why self-checkouts are being introduced remains a much-debated issue. Interviews indicate that organized labor and consumers view them as primarily a cost- cutting mechanism, yet labor costs within the industry continue to rise and employment remains relatively stable. At present, a number of social and economic barriers currently limit the extent of their use in stores; these factors include theft, maint
