Gender Implications of Wrongful Dismissal Judgments in Canada, 1994–2002*

l'étude sur laquelle cet article se fonde explore les aboutissements des demandes d'carindemnités pour congédiement injustifié déposées par des hommes et des femmes contre leur ancien employeur. Elle révèle l'existence au sein du système juridique d'carun préjugé en faveur des hommes même si un traitement égal des deux sexes devant la loi est devenu un principe constitutionnel il y a 20 ans. l'analyse suggère que trois facteurs primaires, soit l'âge de l'employé(e), son ancienneté et le poste occupé au moment du congédiement, sont utilisés dans la détermination des jugements en dommages‐intérêts, et que les cours tendent à accorder de plus importantes indemnités aux hommes. The study on which this paper is based explored the outcomes of wrongful dismissal claims brought by men and women against their former employers. It revealed that a bias favouring men exists within the legal system, even though equal treatment of men and women under the law became a constitutional principle twenty years ago. Analysis suggests that three primary factors–the age of the employee, his or her job tenure, and the occupation held at the time of dismissal–are used to determine damage awards, and that courts tend to award the highest levels of compensation to men.     

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AS A DRIVER OF SUPERIOR QUALITY

We explore theoretically and empirically how efforts to enhance environmental performance may enable other types of manufacturing improvements. Drawing on a unique data set comprised of detailed surveys of 42 automotive assembly plants, associated quality metrics, and in‐depth qualitative data from 17 automotive assembly plants, we show that attaining superior environmental performance can be a significant driver of superior quality. We highlight the synergistic and reciprocal nature of environmental and broader manufacturing improvement efforts, and show that environmental improvement tools and know‐how can be an important source of competitive advantage.     

The Rehabilitation of Common Sense: Social Representations,Science and Cognitive Polyphasia

In Psychoanalysis, its image and its public (PIP) Moscovici introduced the theory of social representations and took further the project of rehabilitating common sense. In this paper I examine this project through a consideration of the problem of cognitive polyphasia, and the continuity and discontinuity between different systems of knowing. Focusing on the relations between science and common sense. I ask why, despite considerable evidence to the contrary, the scientific imagination tends to deny its relation to common sense and believe that can displace it. I argue that the psychosocial dynamic between common sense and science is revealing of how heavily they are entangled in, and indeed indebted to each other. Even more, this dynamic allows for a full appreciation of what the theory of social representations calls states of cognitive polyphasia. Different systems of thinking and knowing do not displace each other but live side by side, co‐existing in a variety of ways, fulfilling different functions and answering different needs in social life.     

"Roots: The Next Generation"--Who Watched and with What Effect?

Questions about who watched "Roots: The Next Generation," andwith what effect, were addressed through pre- and posttest surveysof two eastern Washington cities. Evidence was obtained suggestingselectivity in the viewership of Roots II: Multivariate analysisrevealed that a general dimension of egalitarianism distinguishedRoots II viewers from nonviewers, even when various personaland demographic variables were controlled. However, tests forinteractions between level of viewing and pretest-posttest providedno evidence to suggest that Roots II had significantly affectedegalitarianism.     

LEAN,GREEN, AND THE QUEST FOR SUPERIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

We examine the relationship between lean manufacturing practices and environmental performance as measured in terms of air emissions and resource use. We draw on two unique surveys of 31 automobile assembly plants in North America and Japan, which contain information on manufacturing practice and environmental performance, as well as in‐depth interviews with 156 plant level employees at 17 assembly plants. Our survey results and interviews suggest that lean management and reduction of air emissions of volatile organic compounds (vocs) are associated negatively. Lean manufacturing practices contribute to more efficient use of paints and cleaning solvents, but these in‐process changes are not sufficient to meet the most stringent air regulations. We found some evidence to support the link between lean practices and resource efficiency. While our survey results were in hypothesized direction, they were not statistically significant. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews, however, suggest a more robust relationship, and we use them to describe some mechanisms by which all three aspects of lean management (buffer minimization, work systems, and human resource management) may be related to environmental management practices and performance.