The chain-store paradox revisited

The rationality of predatory practices has been extensively debated among economists and lawyers. Selten (1978) considered a fictitious chain-store confronted with potential entrances of local competitors. In his formal analysis via an extensive game with complete and perfect information predatory behavior is precluded by the unique sequential (and perfect) equilibrium. Kreps and Wilson (1982b) and Milgrom and Roberts (1982) established in modified models with incomplete information that predation against early entrants may be rational since it creates a reputation to the effect that later potential entrants are deterred. The present paper offers a modification of Selten's model with complete but imperfect information which renders possible reputation and deterrence.     

Trends in Premarital Counseling*

Recent developments and current problems in the field of premarital counseling are discussed. Particular attention is given to the need for better training of premarital counselors and for more systematic evaluation of the impact of premarital counseling strategies.     

Measuring societal effects of transdisciplinary research projects: design and application of an evaluation method

Most Transdisciplinary Research (TdR) projects combine scientific research with the building of decision making capacity for the involved stakeholders. These projects usually deal with complex, societally relevant, real-world problems. This paper focuses on TdR projects, which integrate the knowledge of researchers and stakeholders in a collaborative transdisciplinary process through structured methods of mutual learning. Previous research on the evaluation of TdR has insufficiently explored the intended effects of transdisciplinary processes on the real world (societal effects). We developed an evaluation framework for assessing the societal effects of transdisciplinary processes. Outputs (measured as procedural and product-related involvement of the stakeholders), impacts (intermediate effects connecting outputs and outcomes) and outcomes (enhanced decision making capacity) are distinguished as three types of societal effects. Our model links outputs and outcomes of transdisciplinary processes via the impacts using a mediating variables approach. We applied this model in an ex post evaluation of a transdisciplinary process. 84 out of 188 agents participated in a survey. The results show significant mediation effects of the two impacts "network building" and "transformation knowledge". These results indicate an influence of a transdisciplinary process on the decision making capacity of stakeholders, especially through social network building and the generation of knowledge relevant for action.     

A different kind of holding environment: a case study of group work with pediatric staff

This paper reports a nearly two-year intervention with staff at a major urban pediatric facility. The authors worked as trainers and consultants for two groups-the Emergency Department (ED) and Chronic Care units (CC). Following two days of training about grief and loss, highlighting skill building for work with traumatized and grieving children and parents, the consultants worked to develop teams which could provide a Winnicottian holding environment for staff. The efficacy of this staff training is analyzed and support needs of staff members are identified. Findings include varied willingness to make use of group support. Chronic care participants are more likely to express willingness to engage in on-going support for one another, while ED staff members seem to prefer structured, educational training and episodic support. The holding environment of the processing groups must be adapted to fit the needs of the medical sub-culture.