OTHER LINES OF RESEARCH IN BUSINESS

ORGANIZATION
COOPERATION AGREEMENTS IN RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
Master in business Organization

COOPERATION AGREEMENTS IN
HAPPINESS AND EDUCATION
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Master of business Organization

Rey Juan Carlos University

PROFESSOR: JOSÉ LUIS MONTES BOTELLA

Master of businessPrepared BY: AYOUB MALLA

Organization

PAPER ANALYSIS: MOROCCO'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE GROWTH

PROFESSOR: Carlos Rodríguez Monroprepared BY: AYOUB MALLA

1
Contents

Abstract ........................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................. 3
Literature Review ......................................................................... 4
Methods ........................................................................................ 8
Results .......................................................................................... 9
Discussion ................................................................................................... 11
References ..................................................................................... 14

2
Abstract: Scores of researchers have studied the link between happiness, income and
educational level. The results from these studies indicate that rising income does not
necessarily result in substantial rise in happiness. The relationship between happiness
and income breaks down at higher income levels. Happiness refers to the mental and
emotional condition or a good feeling that happens only at given times. As part of the
research work required for OTHER LINES OF RESEARCH IN BUSINESS
ORGANIZATION module, I have chosen to opt for in-depth research regarding
Happiness Scores of researchers and explore the link between education level, income
level, culture and happiness. The research will employ a quantitative approach with
statistical analysis.

Finally, I would end my paper with an overall summary.

Keywords: SPSS, Statistics, Happiness, Education

Introduction

Happiness is a choice that calls for effort at all times. Life is an expedition into the very
implication of happiness in the very face of all struggles of life. Life itself is what makes
people understand the distinctiveness between of its beauty and baubles. It calls into
play every component of happiness to which each of the belief leads people to
happiness. Present studies attempts to add value to the need to bring ability and
happiness perspective to the development of human beings. Aristotle, a philosopher,
made a great contribution in the study of happiness and human development via his
virtue concept as a basis of bona fide happiness. Aristotle asserted that happiness lies
within a complete self-sufficient and final end. Every human being makes every effort
for an end.

3
 In this regard, there is a close link between socio demographic variables such as
educational level, cultural values, socioeconomic status, and happiness. In the past few
years, studies regarding subjective wellbeing have attained a remarkable increase. One
of the definitions of wellbeing is happiness. Happiness is not only one of the major
objectives in an individual’s life, but it holds crucial effects on mental and physical
health of a person. In the past years, the world population has doubled from 3.9 billion to
6.3 billion. Each additional person brings augmented demands for education, housing,
employment, healthcare, food and water which all elements that leads to happiness. As a
result, people strive to attain better education and employment in order to attain
happiness.

Happiness remains the most treasured but indefinable of all human desires. The
link between happiness and other variables has been estimated through multiple and
simple regression analysis With data on happiness and divergent life domains, it
becomes significant to develop a model that explains the relationship between happiness
and the independent variable such as income level, culture and the level of education.
The purpose of this research is to explore the link between happiness, cultural values and
beliefs, income and educational level. By ascertaining the link between education levels,
cultural values, income level and education, blueprints that will support educational
achievements can be assessed to facilitate, education for all people that will
subsequently help them achieve their ultimate goal.

Literature Review

Education

According to Kahneman & Schwarz (2009), there is a great amount of information

regarding the impacts of the socio-demographic variable of, sex, age, education,
education among others included as the causes and correlates of happiness in social
surveys. Kahneman & Schwarz (2009) cite studies carried between 1965 and 1994 that

4
confirmed the causes and correlates of happiness. Education and occupation correlate
with subjective happiness. Kahneman & Schwarz (2009) further asserts that happiness
depends on the goal-achievement gap and motivation over time. It has been found out
that while men become happier as their age advances, women become less happy.
However, happiness cannot influence age, but the link between happiness and age is due
to cohort discrepancies; older persons are on average less educated and they hold lower
expectations besides being more concerned with fundamental survival.

Income

The relationship between the level of income and happiness measures is evident. The
Euro-barometer surveys indicated that 86 percent of those in the upper quartile of
incomes felt fulfilled or felt very satisfied as compared to the seventy-two percent of the
lowest quartile (Kahneman & Schwarz, 2009). In American studies, the relationship
between happiness and income level was not big. According to Kahneman & Schwarz
(2009), rich people enjoy a high living standard, better food, housing, education and
have access to better healthcare. Having a lot of money enhances happiness. This is
because money is good for marriage as it allows a couple to have their own place to live
in. According to Kahneman & Schwarz (2009), Aristotle claimed that human beings
desired money, pleasure and honor because they trust that these goods will lead to their
happiness. He states that money and honor are means linking to the ultimate goal, which
is happiness. Bruni & Porta (2007) claim the weak link between happiness and income is
because of using reported income as a measure of economic well-being and commends
the formation of a detailed measure of economic well-being.

According to Kahneman & Schwarz (2009), international comparisons of self-

reported happiness demonstrate that considerable income links directly to considerable
happiness only until per capital incomes attains the half to two-thirds of levels of income
in the United States. Beyond this point, the link between advanced income and
happiness is fantasy. Indexes that have a connection with GDP to professed well-being
offer similar results. For instance, a display offered by San Francisco-based research
group redefining progress established that until 1970s the well-being of Americans rose
as the Gross Domestic Product rose (Kahneman & Schwarz, 2009). However, since then

5
the happiness of America has declined in spite of an increase in a per capital Gross
Domestic Product.

According to Malcolm & Yap (2007), life expectancy, mortality of infants,

socioeconomic factors, cultural beliefs and values, and educational achievement among
other factors of well-being do not correlate directly to personal income. Kahneman &
Schwarz (2009) further assert that inheriting a lot of money or earning does not
necessarily lead to happiness. While this assertion is intuitive, it is correct because once
one is in possession of huge sum of money; one does not necessarily spend it to make
himself or herself happy. Some give the money to benefit others or for charity purpose.

Culture

According to Malcolm & Yap (2007), the idea of subjective happiness is an intricate
one, over which scores of discrepancies and deviations exist and act together with other
factors such as income, work, health, family relationships, friends and communities. Past
studies have indicated that there is conflicting evidence, lack of confidence on the course
of causality and concern over the effect on the results of potentially disregarded
variables. These studies show that life conditions, which include education, health,
feeding and occupation besides personal and cultural values can, affect subjective well-
being. Nevertheless, there is still certain proof that upholds that this contribution is not
complete, and its involvement is pertinent until a given level, after which effects
declines.

The differences are evident within happiness and demographic variables. Other
studies such as the one carried out by Peterson & Welzel, 2008 & Fritjters & Shield
(2007), established that cultural variables could influence subjective wellbeing (Bruni &
Porta, 2007). On the other hand, Graham (2010), and Cornelis (2010) claim that there
lacks an apparent link between socioeconomic level and happiness. In response,
Kahneman (2010) and Stutzer (2004) studies promotes the view on how there is a close
link between socioeconomic level and happiness.

The absence of a powerful link between happiness and money can be explained
by the responsibility of values and culture in a person’s life. According Bruni & Porta

6
(2007), a person can define success through considering the amount of money one
posses, the house one lives in, the car one drives, happiness in one’s family and more
importantly the level of ones education. Therefore, depending on intrinsic values, an
individual might describe happiness interns of money and as a result become unhappy if
she/he considers the amount of money she/he posses as inadequate (Bruni & Porta,
2007). It is probable that the impact of income on happiness depends on a person’s
beliefs as well as the significance that an individual assigns to economic prosperity.
Bruni & Porta (2007) assert that values and culture can help in explaining the income
paradox. The answer to what entails a good life strongly depends on the values an
individual or a society holds. Human values refer to the desirable goals that serve as a
guiding principle in a person’s life. As results, the weak relationship between happiness
and income according to Bruni & Porta (2007) is because of disparities in people’s
values and beliefs.

Hypotheses

The first hypothesis indicates that there is a close link between happiness and socio-
demographic variables, which include income level, education level, culture, values and
beliefs. Education, culture, age and income level correlate with subjective wellbeing.
Kahneman & Schwarz (2009) claim that highly paid people enjoy a high living standard,
better food, housing, education and have access to better healthcare. They further
ascertained that having a lot of money promotes subjective wellbeing.

The second hypothesis indicate that there is no relationship between happiness

and socio-demographic variables which include, income level, education level, culture,
values and beliefs. Kahneman & Schwarz (2009) confirm that the link between
advanced income and happiness is fantasy. The two researchers further ascertained that
inheriting a lot of money or earning as anticipated does not make one happy. This is
because once one is in possession of huge sum of money; one does not necessarily spend
it to make him/her happy.

The third hypothesis point out that education and income increases the level of
happiness in a person’s life. Studies carried between 1965 and 1994 confirmed that

7
education and income level are causes and correlates of happiness. Education and
occupation correlate with subjective well-being.

Methods

The research method for quantitative approach will be based on questions and
hypotheses that are subject to rigorous testing under controlled conditions. This
paradigm is strappingly linked with a quantitative research instrument, which include the
highly structured questionnaires and statistical analysis. Quantitative research assists the
researcher in affirming the number value to the occurrence being tested (Cooper &
Schindler, 2006). In this regard, employment of quantitative research analysis in this
particular research will facilitate investigation of the link between happiness, cultural
values, educational levels and income level.

Materials
Data collection instrument will entail close-ended questionnaires. These data instrument
will contain questions and their dichotomous choices that each respondent will be
required to fill. The dichotomous choices provided in the questionnaires will include a)
Very happy, b) Pretty happy, c) Not too happy. The use of this type of data collection
instruments is effective for both the researcher and respondents. This is because a
respondent is only required to answer the questions from the list of provided choices and
no additional information, which could lead to misapprehensions, is needed. The
questionnaire will contain details on gender, occupational, age, educational level,
cultural beliefs and religion and income level. The questions that will be provided in the
questionnaires will include:
1- How would rate your happiness and educational level
2- How would rate your happiness and your income level
3- How would rate your happiness and your religion

8
Procedures
This research adopts use of both primary and secondary data. The researchers will
consult a wide body of literature to gather secondary data. In this view, secondary data
will be collected from available literature, which include books, research articles and
institutional websites also will code the collected data and subject it to quantitative
analysis using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) in order to draw
convincing conclusions.
Data Analysis
Data collected from the survey instruments and data collected from available
literature on happiness will be analysed through SPSS Predictive Analytics Software. To
confirm the questions, analysis will include validation, descriptive and inferential
statistics (Muijs, 2011). The data analysis procedure will generate data about the
participants, their cultural background, values, beliefs, their extent of education and their
income level.

Results

In order to determine relevant conclusions in relation to the collected data, it was

essential to subject the findings for quantitative analysis through Statistical Packages for
Social Sciences (SPSS). This is essential in the realization of conclusive findings with
reference to the confirmation of the hypotheses concerning the research questions on
happiness. The findings of the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) are as
follows: in the examination of the relationship between happiness and education, about
2039 participants took place. According to the results of this analysis, about 41.6 percent
of the participants noted a relationship between happiness and education. This compares
to overwhelming 58.4 percent that indicated no relationship between the variables.

9
 The first hypothesis indicates that there is a close link between happiness and
socio-demographic variables, which include income level, education level, culture,
values and beliefs. The second hypothesis indicate that there is no relationship between
happiness and socio-demographic variables which include, income level, education
level, culture, values and beliefs. The third hypothesis point out that education and
income increases the level of happiness in a person’s life. In the examination of this
hypothesis, levels of education (LT high, high school, junior college, bachelor, and
graduate) were measured in relation to happiness on three categories: very happy, happy,
and not happy.

The results of the exercise indicated mixed reflections because high school level
reflected the highest percentages in comparison with the other levels of education. This
is through projection of 49.7, 52.4, and 49.0 percent for the 3 categories of independent
variable. This is a reflection that there is relationship between the happiness and socio
demographic variables. The analysis the chi-square test is a reflection of the need to
accept the first hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis in the second aspect. In
order to confirm the rationale for accepting the null hypothesis, levels of income were
also expressed against the independent variable on the three categories. According to the
results, there is increase in the level of happiness as the income increases. This is evident
through the massive 60 percent for income above $ 25,000. This confirms the null
hypothesis thus the need to accept its proposition for the relationship between happiness
and socioeconomic factors. It is also essential to understand the role of religion
affiliation on the rate of happiness. According to the data analysis, majority of
Protestants are happy because of their religious affiliation.

10
Discussion

In the examination of influence of education on the concept of happiness, there was

critical evaluation of the dependent variables and independent variables. In this case,
happiness was the aspect of the dependent variable under the influence of three factors:
very happy, happy, and not very happy. In the execution of the exercise, 2039 students
participated under different levels: LT high school, junior college, bachelor, and
graduate. About 42 percent of the students confirmed the relationship between the
concept of happiness and the level of education. This is mainly associated with influence
of factors such as achievement, favorable environment, performance, and interactive
environment.

About 13 percent of the LT high school children who participated in the research
exercises were very happy. This is quite lower than the 46 percent of the students at
level 1 high school. This is mainly because of the childhood development timeline
because at this stage, children have the opportunity to interact with the environment
effectively and efficiently. This indicates that they enjoy playing time with other
children thus making them very happy with the situation. This is an expression of the
quality interaction with the environment and playing activities. At junior college level,
the level of happiness is quite low in comparison to the other lower levels. This is
mainly because of the volume of work, lack of achievement, and stressful living
conditions facing the students as they tackle their educational pursuits. Approximately
one fifth of the bachelor students who participated in the exercise are very happy. This is
mainly because of the achievements in their development, growth, and knowledge
pursuit. The percentage level of very happy reduces at the graduate level.

11
 This might be because of inability to achieve the goals and objectives of the
knowledge pursuit thus affecting their level of happiness. Graduates also do not express
high level of happiness because of pretense. Most of these students think and believe
that expression of happiness is intimidating. They associate happiness with small
children and rich people. Majority of the students at LT high school level are not happy.
This is a reflection of inability to associate with the new environment and draw
satisfaction from relevant interactions. Majority of high school students are also not too
happy. This is because of lack of the opportunity to exploit their options. The students
under this level of education operate under strict regulations at home and school thus
unhappy about these levels of interactions. As they move to higher education levels, the
level of unhappiness reduces drastically. This is because most of the individuals enjoy
their academic achievements, freedom, and various experiences contributing to cases of
happiness. The opportunities and achievements are the driving factors in relation to
increase in the level of happiness as individuals move up the academic ladder.
Conclusively, there is clear high level of happiness in relation to individuals or students
at High school level.

According to the analysis of the data, this is approximately 49 percent under the
influence of playful factor, attention to little things, and minimal stressful life. Students
at junior college express the lowest percentage in relation to level of happiness. This is
mainly because of the stressful conditions with reference to tight educational conditions,
unfavorable environment, lack of basic needs, and personal stresses. This contributes
towards minimization of quality and effective growth because of the influence of the
conditions and environment thus limiting the realization of happiness. Graduates also
express approximately 10 percent with reference to rate of happiness. This might be
under the influence of the various activities and conditions they are facing towards the
achievement of their academic, professional, communal, and personal goals and
objectives. From this discussion, it is essential to note that education level plays minimal
role in the rate of happiness. This reflected through 42 percent of the students at all
levels who believe that education level contribute to their rate of happiness.

12
 According to the analysis of income and level of happiness, it is essential to note
that individuals earning more $ 25,000 and above are extremely happy. This is because
of the ability to cater for their economic, social, and psychological needs. Such
individuals have the ability to provide for their families, attend to recreational needs, and
seek health and medical services. This enables them to attain high levels of happiness
thus an opportunity to maximize their economic, social, and psychological opportunities.
Individuals earning less than $ 1000 are not very happy. This is because of their poor
conditions and inability to attend to economic, social, and recreational needs. They drive
minimal satisfaction from their condition thus elements of sadness and sorrow in relation
to the economic and social condition. It is also essential to note significant number of
rich society members who are not happy. This is because of conflicts arising from the
economic strength thus the ability of the individuals to experience stressful conditions.
This is an indication that income is not a guarantee to the aspect of happiness. This
illustration indicates that level of income plays fluctuating role in the rate of happiness.
According to the Chi-test, it is essential to note correlation between the level of income
and the rate of happiness.

It is also essential to understand the role of religion affiliation on the rate of

happiness. According to the data analysis, majority of Protestants are happy because of
their religious affiliation. This is mainly because of satisfaction they draw from their
religious affiliation in the pursuit of religious growth, knowledge, and development.
These individuals also enjoy some level of esteem of belonging to the religious
affiliation thus an opportunity to maximize their level of happiness. They are also happy
with management and execution of events in their religious affiliations. Other religious
affiliations indicate that events in their respective affiliations contribute to the realization
of low rate of happiness. This is an illustration of the low rate of happiness evident by
various religious affiliations. It is essential to note that religious affiliation plays
minimal role in relation to rate of happiness.

13
 References
Bruni, L., & Porta, P. (2007). Handbook on the economics of happiness. Texas: Edward

Elgar Publishing.

Cooper, D. R & Schindler, P. S. 2006, Business research methods. London: McGraw-

Hill

Cornelis, J. (2010). Happiness, economics and public policy: A Critique. Journal

Happiness Study, 11, 125-130.

Graham, C. (2010). Happiness around the world: The paradox of happy peasants and

miserable millionaires. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kahneman, D., & Schwarz, N. (2003). Well-being: The foundations of hedonic

psychology. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

Kanheman, D., & Deaton, A. (2010). High income improves evaluation of life but no

emotional well being. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences. PNAS Early

Edition, 1-5.

Malcolm, J., & Yap, C. (2007). Modern development in behavioral economics: Social

science perspectives on choice and decision making. New York: World Scienfic.

14
Muijs, D. (2011). Doing quantitative research in education using SPSS (2nd ed.).

London, England: Sage.

Stutzer, A. (2004). The role of income aspirations individuals’ happiness. Journal of

Economics Behavior and Organizations, 54, 89-109.

Villarroel, V., Pavez, C., & Lopez, D. (2012). Money, age and happiness: association of
subjective wellbeing with socio-demographic variables. Revista Latino americana de
Psicología, 44 (2), p155-163.

15