Consumer perceptions and preferences for public expenditure

This study deals with consumer evaluations of public spending. Ideological and self-interest factors are analysed to determine how these factors are related to consumer perceptions and preferences for public expenditure on legal advice, public transport and hospital services. Involvement in socio-economic issues, voting behavior and public spending preferences are discussed in relation with each other. The ‘fiscal connection’ between taxes and public expenditure is interpreted.     

Public preferences for economic policies

The paper describes a method by which the intensity of preferences for different economic policies can be estimated. The model is based on revealed choice through voting behavior, and permits its transformation into measures of preference by taking into account the abstentions from voting and their frequency. It is then possible to derive both the elasticities of intensities and the absolute valuation of these preferences. In, the empirical analysis it is found that economic policies do not seem to generate the strong preferences that could have been expected. It is also found that the upper income group have no particular inclination towards laissez-faire type economic policies and, prefer many interventions by the government.     

Perceptions of Migration and Diversity by Local Public Administrators

This article contributes to the recent debate on the perception of migration and diversity; it empirically examines whether public decision-makers and public administrators perceive migration and diversity as related or if they distinguish between them. It also seeks to identify the most important characteristics of respondents with positive attitudes to migration and diversity. The sample of the respondents covers Turkey, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia; those located on the “Balkan migration route” into Europe. Due to different experiences, respondents from countries with large-scale migration perceive migration and diversity differently from those in countries directly threatened by migration or countries without any direct impact of migration. Gender appears to be a statistically significant predictor in the need for high managerial skills to manage migration and diversity. Some size categories of municipalities where a respondent works appear to be statistically significant when ranking the local impacts and local economic benefits of migration.     

Public policy and the plans and preferences of older Americans

This study compares the retirement plans and preferences of a recent sample of 3,500 men and women of pre-retirement age-50 to 64. The data suggest that a minority of older workers expect to retire earlier than they really want to, and that many would delay retirement if they faced different terms and conditions of employment. Although most older Americans cannot or do not want to work, many do, and they represent a significant underutilized labor market resource.     

Parenting a Child With an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Public Perceptions and Parental Conceptualizations

In the middle part of the 20th century, parents were frequently blamed for causing autism. Although this idea is no longer prevalent in professional circles, this qualitative study indicates that parents still experience blame from community members and extended family. Eleven parents of children with autism participated in two focus groups. This qualitative study examined themes of parent blame as well as parents' own conceptualizations of autism. Results indicate that parents experienced blame for their children's autism-related behavior from the public and extended family, but most parents viewed the child with autism in positive ways.     

The Good,the Bad,and the Ugly: Perceptions of Public Relations Practitioners

This study contributes to relationship management research by introducing a new construct—authenticity—as the mediating variable between symmetrical communication and relationship quality, and investigating the behavioral outcomes of perceived organization–public relationship quality. We propose a structural model of symmetrical communication, authentic organizational behavior, organization–public relationships, and two behavioral outcomes—positive and negative messaging. The results support all the hypothesized linkages, and shed new light on the process of relationship management.     

Public hearings and public preferences: the case of the White House Conference on Families

To provide input into Arizona's participation in the White House Conference on Families, the Arizona Governor's Council on Children, Youth, and Families commissioned a random statewide survey to assess the relative priority given to 41 selected family-related needs and preferences for institutional responses to those needs. A similar survey was administered to participants at each of six regional public hearings held throughout the state prior to the 1980 White House Conference on Families. A comparison of the two surveys provides an opportunity to test the representativeness of public hearings participants with respect to the population from which they were drawn. Fundamental differences in the priorities of these two samples cast considerable doubt on the assumption that public hearings are an effective means of gauging public sentiment.     

Public Perceptions about Food Safety in the United States and Japan1

Abstract Consumer concerns over pesticide residues and food additives have been growing in industrialized societies, including the United States and Japan. However, little comparative research has been carried out to determine which household characteristics may be significantly associated with these heightened concerns, and whether or not the same factors are useful for understanding variation in these worries in more than one society. This paper examines food safety attitudes in Seattle, Washington, and Kobe, Japan, and discovers that while the absolute level of expressed concern is higher in Kobe, the predictive power of household characteristics in explaining attitudinal differences within countries is similar. Implications for rural areas and future research on family structures in capitalist societies are discussed.     

CEO Perceptions of Investor Relations As a Public Relations Function: An Exploratory Study

An exploratory study of chief executive officers (CEOs) in Florida nonbanking public companies found that top executives do not perceive investor relations to be part of the public relations function. A mail survey (31% response rate) revealed these CEOs favor financial affairs executives and departments to supervise and conduct investor relations, and they perceive both the investor relations and public relations functions to be more technically than managerially oriented. These findings corroborate concerns of encroachment in public relations by those without public relations training or experience. The study also raises the larger question of whether public relations practitioners could be trained in such a way to garner CEO support for a role in the investor relations function.     

Newspaper Editors' Perceptions of Public Relations: How Business,News, and Sports Editors Differ

In this study, I develop a feminist theory of public relations by explaining discrimination against female practitioners and positing an agenda for change. Thirty-seven "long" interviews and three focus groups conducted with female practitioners revealed that major obstacles for women are marginalization of public relations, problems stemming from male dominance at work, women's "balancing" act between career and family, and gender stereotypes. Solutions for overcoming barriers are proposed for society, organizations, public relations, and women.     

Public preferences for landscape features: A case study of two Scottish environmentally sensitive areas

This paper examines the extent to which the menu of environmental features supported by public policy in two Scottish environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) and the range of environmental products supported by farmers who have participated in the scheme are congruent with public preferences. The examination of public preferences was based on a sample survey of residents and visitors to the Loch Lomond and Stewartry ESAs and the Scottish general public. This sample was split, with one group being asked questions relating to their valuation of a range of environmental features, and the second group being asked about their preferred level of future provision of the same set of features. The results indicate that the features most widely adopted by farmers and which have been very costly to support are amongst those least desired by the visitors to the areas and the general public. Consequently, it might be asserted that a changed menu of supported environmental actions in ESAs would be likely to deliver higher levels of social benefits.     

Public Perceptions,Beliefs and Experiences of Fostering and Adoption: A National Qualitative Study in South Africa

In South Africa, rates of adoption remain low while the number of fostered children continually rises. Little is known about the public perceptions, beliefs and experiences that inform decisions to either foster or adopt in South Africa. This qualitative research explored these issues among a national sample of childless adults, biological parents, kin and non‐kin fostering parents and prospective and successful adopters. Fostering is driven predominantly by access to subsidies but is also informed by socio‐cultural beliefs. Low adoption rates are influenced by an absence of subsidies, poor access to quality adoptive services and a lack of information about adoption.     

Interactive Health Communication Technologies in the Public Health Sector: Positive Perceptions Still Outpace Actual Utilization

ABSTRACT

Effective population-based and patient-centered public health care is highly dependent on timely and reliable health-related information. The continuous growth and availability of health-related information brought about by the emergence of a new digital communications environment offers a range of opportunities that facilitate access to useful health information for the public health sector–for providers as well as patients. Such advancements, however, can only be realized if public health professionals are knowledgeable about existing sources of online health information, have the ability to successfully judge the reliability of online health information, and are able to acquire the information in a timely and efficient manner. This research follows on the heels of a survey of public health professionals in New York State that concluded that limited access and knowledge negatively impacted utilization of interactive health communication technologies. In this study, a survey was administered to providers at a large county health department located in central Michigan. Results indicate that perceptions regarding the advantages of online health information still far outweigh actual utilization. Barriers to actual utilization include lack of easy access to computers with high-speed connections, trusted and timely online information, training and staff development issues, and organizational policies concerning computer access and usage.     

A Test of Excellent Leadership in Public Relations: Key Qualities,Valuable Sources,and Distinctive Leadership Perceptions

To better understand leadership in public relations and explore its value in successful communication management, this article captured the perceptions of mid- and senior-level public relations executives (N = 222) regarding the important qualities and dimensions of excellent leadership in the practice. According to study participants, strategic decision-making capability, problem-solving ability, and communication knowledge and expertise are the three most important qualities of excellent leadership. In addition, respondents said that on-the-job experiences, individual initiative and desire, and role models are the most valuable sources of leadership skills and development. About half of the respondents indicated that excellent leaders in public relations are different from leaders in other fields in three ways: They must hold a compelling vision for communication, possess comprehensive understanding of media and information systems, and effectively develop and implement strategic communication plans. Professional women and men in the study viewed excellent leadership in more or less similar ways. The study advances understanding of leadership in the field, which has been little explored in the public relations literature.     

The Social Construction of Moral Perceptions and Public Policies Concerning Organ Trafficking in Israel1,2

This article examines the sociocultural construction of the local moralities, practices, and public policies regarding the purchase, sale, and brokering of organs. Based on ethnographic study of the case of Israel, where the prevailing moral perceptions and public policies have been relatively tolerant toward the purchase and sale of organs, the article proposes a model of four main sources of justification underlying these perceptions and policies: (1) Deeply held religious views on ethics, social relations, and the body. (2) Philosophical approaches to moral dilemmas, particularly deontological versus utilitarian approaches. (3) The human rights discourse in its transnational, as well as localized, versions, and (4) socioeconomic worldviews such as liberalism, neoliberalism, and conceptions of individual autonomy. Each of these four discourses is weighted differently, depending on the context, and interacts with the other discourses. This process shapes the way in which international ethical norms are implemented, rejected, or adapted and translated into local meanings and institutions. The article offers a multi-faceted explication of why translation occurs, especially in the framework of international human rights norms related to health and medicine, which have not been adequately addressed in prior research. The findings contribute to explaining how “ethical variability” is formed in practice.     

Effects of Corporate Support of a Charity on Public Perceptions of the Charity

A quasi-experimental design (N = 517) was used to investigate the effect on audience response to a supported charity if corporate support is featured in an advertisement. The results indicate that corporate support of a charity appears not to influence audience attitudes and donation intentions for the charity. A small portion of the audience may be motivated to donate when learning of a large corporate donation to the charity. The level of individuals’ favorability for the charity was the strongest predictor of their attitudes and intentions. Gender was also a predictor of more positive charity attitudes, with females reporting more positive attitudes than males for three of four charities. Managerial implications and areas for future research are discussed.     

Public housing agency preferences for the homeless as a policy lever: Examining county-level housing subsidy receipt and maltreatment rates

This study examines the relationship between county Public Housing Agency (PHA) practices that prioritize families experiencing homelessness and county-level child maltreatment rates. Using data from a survey of PHAs and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) with a sample of 534 counties, we find that policies which give preference to homeless households for housing assistance are associated with reduced victimization and substantiation rates, while policies that reduce barriers to assistance eligibility are associated with reporting rates. Our findings suggest that beyond prioritizing homeless families for housing assistance as a means of ending homelessness, providing families with more expedient access to a valuable public subsidy may have important positive externalities, such as reduced CPS involvement. Additional partnerships between child welfare agencies and housing providers, particularly those that provide housing subsidies, may be worthy of additional investment and evaluation.