Asian multiculturalism in communication: Impact of culture in the practice of public relations in Singapore

This study aims to understand the role of cultural values in influencing public relations practice in Singapore. Given that Singapore exhibits a hybrid of cultures, it purposes to comprehend how multiculturalism is operationalized and to uncover if the values that have a greater influence on organizational communication resemble those in individualistic or collectivistic societies. Using Gudykunst’s (1998) seven dimensions that influence individualism-collectivism on communication as a guide, this study interviewed 20 public relations practitioners in Singapore. Our findings showed that although the patterns expressed is slightly more consistent with those found in collectivistic cultures, it does not resemble collectivism in entirety. Multiculturalism in Singapore displays a blend of certain cultural hybridity, which is aligned with it being a multicultural cosmopolitan city that embodies Western modernity while retaining its Asian values. Our findings further reinforced the idea that public relations professionals need to be multicultural themselves to effectively communicate with culturally diverse stakeholders in today’s globalizing era of multiculturalism.     

Paths towards Family‐friendly Working Time Arrangements: Comparing Workplaces in Different Countries and Industries

Although studies have examined the distribution and conditions of employer‐provided work–family arrangements, we still lack a systematic investigation of how these vary for different countries and industries. Based on the European Working Conditions Survey 2010, this study examines the conditions under which firms provide family‐friendly working time arrangements and what the differences are across four countries (Austria, Denmark, Italy and the UK) and four industries. The impact of employee representatives, employee involvement, manager support and female managers varies across countries and industries because of the institutional environment (prevailing family model, industrial relations) and workforce composition (gender). The impact of employee representatives depends on their co‐determination rights, and the direction of their effect on the prevailing family model (e.g. negative in conservative countries such as Austria) and the gender composition of the workforce (negative in male‐dominated production, but positive in services). Employee involvement in the work organization is significantly positive in Austria and Denmark (both with co‐operative industrial relations), while manager support has the strongest effect in the UK (liberal regime). At the industry level, female supervisors are positively associated with family‐friendly working time arrangements only in the male‐dominated production industry. These findings suggest that the effects of agency variables and their direction vary depending on the institutional context.     

The Role of Corporatism in Building a New Model of Major-Country Relationships

Building a new model of major-country relationships is an unprecedented undertaking requiring theoretical support. However, existing theories, whether Western or Chinese, find it hard to assume the task of providing the theoretical foundation for such a model. Corporatism, which has both Chinese and Western cultural elements, offers conditions for such an undertaking. Although China-U.S. relations have some unusual features, corporatism offers the prospect of directing them away from the “Thucydides trap” and avoiding the political tragedies of major powers. For China and the world, making corporatism or group cooperation the central idea in building the new model of major-country relations will be a big step forward for the model and for international relations.     

多模态图文文本翻译探讨

以越野车宣传手册的翻译为例，根据此类文本的图文特点和翻译难点，选取系泊图文关系和延伸图文关系作为理论基础，提出产品宣传册多模态图文文本翻译方法。根据系泊图文关系，借助分析图片来确定词语和句子层面的文字翻译，主要体现为：在词语层面确定文字的具体指代物和多义词的翻译；在句子层面帮助抽象意义具象化。根据延伸图文关系，用图片的意义补充文字翻译，主要体现为：在词汇层面补充形态信息，句子层面补充隐含信息。这一研究旨在为越野车宣传手册和其他车辆宣传手册图文文本，甚至其他产品的宣传手册图文文本的翻译提供一种新方法。     

Diversity and social cohesion

The issue of diversity, in its broadest sense, is discussed here in its relation to social cohesion, cross-cultural relations, ingroup–outgroup relations and educational interventions. The main thesis of the paper is that real social cohesion in an ingroup rests on the acknowledgment of and the dialog with the diversities of the members of the ingroup itself. And that diversity relating to the outgroup and to the various members of the outgroup is understood and accepted, given that diversity among the members of the ingroup is also understood and accepted. This way, cross-cultural relations within an ingroup and between the ingroup and outgroups are fostered, which partly contradicts some traditional assumptions in social psychology research, according to which social cohesion in the ingroup is accompanied by hostility toward the outgroup. A study we conducted in Italian schools on youths’ attitudes toward multiculturalism with the use of focus groups indicated that most participants have lost or have never experienced a feeling of general social cohesion. It also indicated that lack of social cohesion creates fear and that fear can provoke aggression. Some considerations are presented aiming to help teachers foster social cohesion and positive cross-cultural contact in their classes.     

地方治理视野下中国政府间关系研究——欧盟“开放式协调法”的借鉴与思考

中国单一制体制下,地方治理的理论建构和实践发展仍困难重重,当前中国政府间关系的问题现状成为地方治理的最根本制约因素.中国政府间关系在单一制体制下主要呈现出纵向政府间关系的"相悖"与横向政府问关系的"分割"两方面的问题.这种问题现状则根源于固有的政治传统和财政安排--职责同构与分税制,在两者的共同影响下,中国政府间关系变得复杂而问题又难以解决."开放式协凋法"作为欧盟社会的新型治理模式,其软性治理方式"政治命令的软化"和"政策学习的推动"在中国政府间关系的治理实践中具有借鉴意义,其有效性也有待思考.     

新劳动合同法与和谐劳动关系

劳动关系是市场经济条件下最基本、最重要的社会关系。建设和谐劳动关系是落实科学发展观的本质要求,是整个社会和谐的基础。新劳动合同法是构建和谐劳动关系的重要保证,本文由此引出了对用人单位构建和谐劳动关系的几点思考。新劳动合同法的实施对企业构建和谐劳动关系具有里程碑意义。     

Intergenerational Coresidence and Family Transitions in the United States, 1850 - 1880

This study uses a new source of linked census data (N = 6,734) to test theories proposed to explain the high intergenerational coresidence in 19th‐century America. Was it a system of support for dependent elderly, or did it reflect intergenerational interdependence? I focus on transitions from middle age to old age, and I assess key predictors of family transitions, including widowhood, retirement, disability, migration, and wealth. The results show that adverse events precipitated changes in the headship of intergenerational families but did not increase the likelihood of residing in an intergenerational family. The findings suggest that 19th‐century intergenerational coresidence was not principally a means of old‐age support; more often, probably, there was a reciprocal relationship between generations.     

A Mixed‐Methods Social Networks Study Design for Research on Transnational Families

This paper advocates the adoption of a mixed‐methods research design to describe and analyze ego‐centered social networks in transnational family research. Drawing on the experience of the “Social Networks Influences on Family Formation” project (2004–2005; see Bernardi, Keim, & von der Lippe, 2007a, 2007b ), I show how the combined use of network generators and semistructured interviews (N = 116) produces unique data on family configurations and their impact on life course choices. A mixed‐methods network approach presents specific advantages for research on children in transnational families. On one hand, quantitative analyses are crucial for reconstructing and measuring the potential and actual relational support available to children in a context where kin interactions may be hindered by temporary and prolonged periods of separation. On the other hand, qualitative analyses can address strategies and practices employed by families to maintain relationships across international borders and geographic distance, as well as the implications of those strategies for children's well‐being.     

The role of narrative in public relations ethics pedagogy

Competence in ethical decision making is one of the most important issues in the industry and practice of public relations, yet professionals entering the discipline overestimate their knowledge and skills related to ethical principles. This article features a pedagogical approach to strengthen ethics education in public relations through the use of collaborative student-professional ethics narratives. This technique attempts to move beyond a traditional case study approach and transcend traditional classroom boundaries through the development of narratives featuring real ethics situations experienced by public relations professionals. The project involved the development, implementation and assessment of the pedagogical approach that required students to interview local communication professionals (mostly in public relations) and to craft narratives that explore ethical dilemmas these professionals faced. Pre- and post-test surveys and group feedback helped explore the impact of narrative inquiry in helping students internalize ethical lessons.