A simulation of a dispatch department

The operations of the dispatch department of a manufacturing organization have been analysed in terms of matching the labour supply to the labour demand (as determined by customer orders). The problem differed somewhat from those traditionally associated with dispatch departments since set-up costs and company policy resulted in high stocks being carried. In this context, service level did not refer to the ability to supply a customer from stock, but to the proportion of orders processed within a specified time interval. The operations of the department were simulated using FINSIM—a computer simulation package developed for the BBC microcomputer. FINSIM offers the capability of seeing the simulation proceed graphically on a visual display. The final outcome of the study was an aid to decision-making consisting of a family of curves of service level against the maximum acceptable time allowed to process an order. This set of curves allowed prediction of the quantifiable consequences of any proposed changes in the department. Of particular significance was the use of the curves to help demonstrate that the seemingly important delays to order documentation within the computer department were in fact inconsequential.     

Examining the Relationship Between Female Inmate Homosexual Behavior and Attitudes Toward Homosexuality and Homosexuals

Most sociologists and penologists tend to shy away from studying inmate attitudes toward homosexuality and homosexuals. Researchers within the corrections field who focus on prison sexuality typically conduct their research on consensual samesex sexual behavior and sexual coercion. The focus of the present study, however, was to ascertain female inmates' attitudes toward homosexuality and homosexuals while exploring the role ofseveral predictor variables on their attitudes. Specifically, the authors examine the relationship between female inmate homosexual behavior and attitudes toward homosexuality and homosexuals. Because of the number of items pertaining to attitudes toward homosexuality and homosexuals, factor analysis was conducted to examine whether the items measured similar constructs. Results ofthe factor analysis revealed two distinct factors/issues:civil/personal rights and personal deviance models. The mostsalient, and only statistically significant, variables in the civil/personal rights model were age, homosexual activity prior to incarceration, and homosexual activity during incarceration. Homosexual behavior during incarceration was the only statistically significant predictor of the personal deviance model.     

Using tri-reference point theory to evaluate risk attitude and the effects of financial incentives in a gamified crowdsourcing task

Crowdsourcing has rapidly developed as a mechanism to accomplish tasks that are easy for humans to accomplish but are challenging for machines. However, unlike machines, humans need to be cajoled to perform tasks, usually through some type of incentive. Since participants from the crowd are typically anonymous and have no expectation of an ongoing work relationship with a task requester, the types of incentives offered to workers are usually short-term monetary bonuses, which have had an inconclusive impact on crowdsourcing worker quality. In this paper, we explore the notion that the risk attitude of crowdsourcing workers may play an important role in the effectiveness of incentives on task accuracy. Traditional utility theories, such as prospect theory, depend on decisions made relative to a singular reference point, whereas the tri-reference point (TRP) theory (Wang and Johnson, J Exp Psychol Gen 141:743–756, 2012) holds that three reference points impact decision making. Using the TRP theory as a guide, we develop a game that provides workers with three reference points and subsequently explores the role of multiple reference points on worker risk aversion and task accuracy.     

Sexual orientation and body weight: Evidence from multiple surveys

Previous research on sexual orientation and body weight has relied primarily on small convenience samples. I use data from two large representative public health surveys to examine the relationships between sexual orientation and body weight. First, I present new estimates of obesity rates by sexual orientation from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (which contains information on self-reported sexual orientation) and the 1996–2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (which contains information on intra-household same-sex unmarried partnerships). I find evidence in both surveys that gay men are much less likely to be obese relative to their heterosexual counterparts, while lesbians are much more likely to be obese. These differences cannot be easily explained by other demographic characteristics, and there is no evidence that the differences are related to differences in physical activity or muscle strengthening activities. Moreover, I find that obese gay men are less likely to be in a partnership relative to their obese heterosexual male counterparts, even after controlling for the overall lower likelihood of partnership among gay men. This suggests that minority sexual orientation may exacerbate the barriers associated with obesity. Christopher Carpenter ia an assistant professor of Economics/Public Policy at the Graduate School of Management at the University of California at Irvine. His research focuses on health policy evaluation and the relationships between sexual orientation and economic well-being. He has recently published a methodological paper on the measurement of sexual orientation (Contemporary Economic Policy, 2004).     

New directions in binational water resource management in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands

The onset of the 21st century sees the U.S.-Mexico border facing numerous challenges in meeting demand for water resources across a diverse set of interests, while also protecting water quality and providing for in-stream uses. This chapter surveys ongoing water resource management efforts in the border region and also examines a broad transboundary water resource management literature to identify existing innovations of note and also to offer ideas for future research. The increasing role of public participation and a democratic decision and policy making process, watershed-based approaches to transboundary water resource management, and the role of water markets are useful areas of investigation uncovered. I suggest that these concepts can form the foundation for future research efforts that may be fruitful in examining the many water resource management challenges that the region will face in the future.     

Relationships among shiftworker eating habits, eating satisfaction, and self-reported health in a population of US miners

As part of a larger study on the health and safety of shiftworkers in the mining population by the US Bureau of Mines, the association between meal frequency, meal regularity, eating satisfaction and a self-reported health index was examined. Although the link between shiftwork and some health complaints, such as gastrointestinal disorders, has been established, the research needed to understand why this occurs has not been fully undertaken. Specifically, academic nutritional research has substantially ignored the question of how working irregular hours affects the eating behavior of industrial workers such as miners. In this study the eating habits of 101 surface mine workers were studied. It was found that working the day, afternoon/evening, and night-shifts was related to the number of meals eaten on those shifts and to the consistency of timing of those meals. The lowest eating satisfaction levels were reported by those who ate at different times on all shifts and who changed the number of meals eaten per day on each shift. Lowest self-reported health ratings were reported by those who changed the number of meals taken on each shift, rather than by those who ate one, two or three meals per day. These results are discussed in relation to the possible mechanisms contributing to gastrointestinal disorders and to coping mechanisms that could be adopted by shiftworkers.     

The DIRECTIONS nonprofit resource assessment model: A tool for small nonprofit organizations

Rapid growth in the number of nonprofits has created a shortage of trained staff and experienced volunteer leadership for nonprofit organizations. The Nonprofit Education Initiative (NEI) in South Carolina developed the DIRECTIONS nonprofit resource assessment model to provide tools to help nonprofits better meet the challenges facing our communities—tools that will help nonprofits develop effective plans, integrate resources, diversify revenue, communicate effective messages, and motivate constituents. These tools are also inexpensive and available close to home. The research and development process was a cooperative effort between the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management and Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, with funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Cooperative Extension is a component of the land grant university system, the largest educational delivery system in the world. Cooperative Extension's role is to plan, execute, deliver, and evaluate learning programs consistent with locally identified needs. It helps people acquire the understanding, capabilities, attitudes, and skills essential to solving farm, home, and community problems. This article gives a background of the challenges facing nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, the steps taken to develop this new assessment model, and results of research conducted throughout the development process.