Eigenschaften,Einstellungen und Werte von Generationen: Stand und Aussicht der Forschung

Ongoing Globalization and New Work foster the importance of diversity and with that generations. The classification of generations is similar in the core angloamerican area. Mostly its one generation every 15 years, starting after world war two, specified by social-historical occurrences in their first 15 years. Often generations are described isolated ascribing attributes, attitudes and values towards one or two of them. Thus comparing, quantitative and longitudinal studies are rare. Even though positive, path-braking examples do exist. Future research should include possible covariates like subgroups, intergroup bias or contrasting, descent trauma and self fulfilling prophecies in quantitative research.     

Reputation und Kooperation

The institutionalized system of rating sellers in internet-auctions is a powerful tool to promote cooperation. This system encourages rational actors to “invest in reputation” and, consequently, to behave cooperatively. We analyze the strategic behaviour of sellers and buyers and, particularly, we investigate with empirical data whether there is a “premium on reputation”. Ulrich Brinkmann and Matthias Meifert critically comment on our article. In this rejoinder we discuss their objections and particularly the measurement of reputation. Also, we explore the question of the relevance of an institutionalized system of reputation. Is an exogeneous sanctioning mechanism a necessary prerequisite to generate a stable amount of cooperation as Brinkmann and Meifert argue or does the institution of a reputation system suffice? To answer this question further experimental or simulation studies are required.     

Eigenverantwortung — Berufliche Leistung und Anforderung

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Kommunikation und Kooperation in Virtuellen Teams

This paper reflects on characteristics of virtual teams as well as potentials and challenges of this coopewration form. A crucial aspect of computer-mediated cooperation is the interplay of technical, social, as well as organizational factors. Therefore, Janneck’s (Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Web Information Systems (S. 521–526), Lisboa, INSTICC Press, 2009) Multidimensional Model of Computer-Mediated Communication, which makes a clear distinction between social and technical factors influencing computer-mediated communication, is presented in more detail.     

Kommunikation und Kooperation in Team und Großunternehmen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Lernen, Zwang und Niedergang in der Organisationsentwicklung

Organizational development needs a theory of the subject and a theory of change. The underlying values and mental models of learning, constraint, free will and mainting and/or disintegrating a system shape the theory of change. The objective of this essay is to increase the complexity of the theory and as a result, increase the ability of consultants to come in contact with different mental models that occur in organizations.     

Altersstruktur und Karrierewege der Professorinnen und Professoren in der deutschen Soziologie

The personnel structure on the professorial level is relevant under aspects of both labor-market research and sociology of knowledge. On the basis of a current internet-based data collection of age and career characteristics of the present professors at departments of sociology at German universities, the paper describes cohort composition, qualification process and regional mobility of academic sociologists. Individual-level data allows for the analysis of simple correlations as well as cohort analyses. Age distribution is clearly unequal, even among young East German faculty members. The analysis of characteristics of the different qualification stages shows that this period is rather extended and how hard it is to enter a tenured position. Mobility is higher during the qualification period then after obtaining full professorship. There is a great homogeneity among professors of sociology with respect to age, sex, native country and qualification process. The results suggest that a more foresighted personnel policy and promotion of young sociologists seems necessary and that future studies on the dynamics of research, the development of themes and on scientific productivity in the field are needed.     

Logik der Situationsdefinition und Logik der Handlungsselektion

This article presents a conception of “definition of situation” in reference to the theory of action of Max Weber which is an alternative to Hartmut Essers’ “theory of frame-selection” (TdFS). The basicdeficiency of the theory of Esser exists in the absence of the value-reference of the cultural frames what can be observed especially in Essers formalisations of the value-rational action. But the objec-tion is related to the whole TdSF. In order to overcome the utilitarian shortcoming of this model I propose to differentiate between the logic of the situation and the logic of the selection of action. The definition of the situation does not follow the principle of utility-maximizing, but the principle of value-reasoning. Both levels of selection-process are related to each other. But each of these levels has a specific principle of the selection, which cannot be violated without a decrease of the rationality of action.     

Studienmotivation, Erwerbspartizipation und der Einstieg in den Arbeitsmarkt

Increased student enrollment in public universities has led to a debate on curricula reform with a view to limiting the length of study, particularly by introducing tuition fees for long-time students. It is implicitly assumed in this debate that all students are full-time students. We investigate why and to what extent students participate in the labor market. Furthermore, we study the effects of part-time work on the time it takes to graduate, to find employment and on the level of earnings. We analyze two data sets, first, a survey among students enrolled at the University of Bern conducted during summer 2001 (N = 3360) and secondly, a survey of all university graduates in Switzerland conducted in 2001 (N = 7005). The results show that labor market participation increases the time it takes students to reach graduation. However, labor market experience reduces the time it takes graduates to find employment and increases their earnings by 4 percent if their experience was related to the subject being studied. Labor market participation bearing no relation to university studies has no negative effects on graduate entrance into the labor market. Thus, the study suggests that student participation in the labor market has more beneficial effects than disadvantages. In light of these results curricula reforms should take into account the possibility of gaining labor market experience.     

Etagen der Zivilgesellschaft Methodenstrenge,Engagement und Öffentlichkeit

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Die Rolle sozialer Normen, der Situationsdefinition und sozialer Klassen beim Untergang der Titanic

Under what conditions do humans comply with social norms in life-and-death situations? Eye witnesses confirm that male passengers and crew respected the norm ??women and children first?? after the collision of the Titanic with an iceberg. In a recent publication Frey et al. (K?lner Z Soz Sozpsychol 63:237?C254, 2011) argued that the relatively large time span between the collision and the sinking of the ship was the crucial factor in explaining the remarkable degree of norm compliance. However, as is suggested here, risk perception or ??the definition of the situation?? is a relevant factor too. In contrast to Frey et al. eye-witness reports and statistical evidence raise doubts about the claim that there was no neglect or discrimination of class passengers during the catastrophic events.     

Externe Beratung in der Gemeinde-, Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung: Lernen aus der Organisationsentwicklung

This essay discusses the work of external consultants in the context of urban development processes. It suggests that this new field can profit from theories, methods and experiences from the area of organizational development and explores what elements are adaptable. On the basis of the comparison of different approaches to change in organizations and in spatial contexts first conclusions concerning external consultation in spatial development processes are drawn. A neighbourhood development process in the city of Winterthur, Switzerland is analyzed using the case study research method. The evaluation of the case study shows that a similar framework of interventions has been used as in organizational development and points at the need for combining specialist and process consultation in neighbourhood development. Finally, on the basis of the theoretical and empirical findings a conceptional structure for external consultancy is suggested.     

Interkulturalität in der Personal-, Team- und Organisationsentwicklung

Intercultural aspects are becoming more and more important for personnel development, team building and organizational development due to internationalization and globalization. This contribution describes fundamental principles with regard to the relevance of intercultural aspects in these three intervention fields and summarizes scientific research on this topic. Following a clarification of basic concepts, intercultural training and intercultural assessment centers — as specific personnel development activities — are treated, results of evaluation research are presented and recommendations for the application of these instruments are given. Team development is discussed with special regard to processes and effectiveness of multinational work groups. Intercultural influences on participation and intergroup relations are described as two main aspects of organizational development.