Mental discounting and financial strategies

Subjective discount rates have been used as measures of time preference to explain saving behavior, with varying results. There is also a lack of agreement between different explanatory models of subjective discount rates. In this paper, it is argued that a better understanding of subjective discount rates can be reached by using groups with different financial strategies as domains. It is shown by PLS and regression analyses that the mental discounting process differs between groups practicing different financial strategies and that the explained variance of subjective discount rates and thus the understanding of such rates are improved by using financial strategy groups as domains.     

From River God to Research Grunt: Identity,Emotions, and the River Guide

Leisure identities and occupational identities are often assumed to be opposites. Drawing on two ethnographic studies, evidence is provided to illustrate how organizational contexts (or lack thereof) both interrupt and influence the social construction of identities. River running is but one activity that provides participants with opportunities to achieve a desired identity using situated emotion cues. In this study river guides are examined to highlight the negotiations they must employ as they attempt to establish a “river” identity in contexts that distinguish their work and leisure roles.     

Integration of immigrants: the role of language proficiency and experience

In this article, the authors evaluate a Swedish pilot scheme that targeted immigrants with weak Swedish-language skills registered as unemployed at public employment offices. By sandwiching work-oriented language teaching and practical workplace training, the project aimed at enhancing the employability of project participants but also at alerting them to and preparing them for available training and further education opportunities. For the evaluation, a comparison group of nonparticipants was selected using a propensity score methodology. The results show that participation in the pilot scheme project resulted in much speedier transfers from open unemployment to employment, training, and education.     

Introduction: Environmental (im)mobilities: Improving the evidence base for effective policy making

Despite the converging agreement on the linkages between climate and broader environmental change and human (im)mobilities, evidence gaps persist that often relate to data challenges. It remains necessary to improve knowledge and data to better map, understand, project, and address environmental migration, displacement, planned relocation, and immobilities. Analyses of continuing data gaps and strategies for innovative data use are key to rise to the challenge. This Special Section of International Migration highlights these gaps and presents innovative strategies to address them.     

Facing conflict: patterns of relationships amongst Lithuanian social workers in the workplace and the role of supervision

The complexity of the Lithuanian social work profession is analysed in this paper. The aim of the research presented is to identify the patterns of relationships that Lithuanian social workers develop in the workplace when facing conflict. The research findings suggest that social work presupposes instability, mobility, fluidity, risks and consequently conflict and multiple emotional reactions from those involved. The complexity of social work, evoking various professional risks and conflicts, anticipates emotional reactions from social workers, such as anger and avoidance. Professional conflict and change can become a resource of positive emotional reactions and a stimulus for the development of the organisation. Professional relationships that are based on equality, openness and participation, even in situation of change or conflict can cultivate energy, creativity and enthusiasm. For conflict within an organisation to be resolved, external support that is methodologically grounded and professional is needed. Supervision can help to recognise the interrelation of patterns of relationships in the workplace when facing conflict, through reflection on one's professional functioning.     

Using population-based data on alcohol consumption and related harms to estimate the relative need for alcohol services in Victoria, Australia

The relative need for alcohol services across different geographic areas of Victoria was examined through an analysis of population-based datasets on alcohol consumption and related harms, and socio-demographic variables available in Victoria. A Factor Analysis was undertaken using the Local Government Area (LGA) as the unit of analysis, which revealed three factors that explained 76% of the variance in the dataset. One factor identified in the analysis was taken as an indicator of variation in the need for alcohol services as all of the alcohol-related variables loaded strongly on this factor. The distribution of ranks for factor scores (determined through regression) obtained for this ‘alcoholness’ factor across LGAs in the state showed that scores were highest in non-metropolitan areas as well as inner-suburban Melbourne. The results are discussed in terms of their practical implications for resource allocation and program funding procedures and the potential for the indicator as a tool for monitoring alcohol-related harm in the community.     

The Labor Market Consequences of Gender Differences in Job Search

This paper uses data from an Internet-based CV database to investigate if women are more restrictive than men in their choice of search area, and if this is of importance in the early stages of the hiring process. We show that women are less likely to search in the metropolitan areas or far away from where they currently live. Moreover, our results indicate that these differences are important: Female searchers get fewer firm contacts, and we show that this is to a large extent explained by their more restrictive search area. When we include controls for the searchers?? search area, the negative gender effect disappears. However, the results differ somewhat across subgroups: For highly skilled women the search area is important, but there remains an unexplained negative gender effect. Our results suggest that gender differences in job search may be important to consider in studies of gender differences in labor market outcomes.     

Diversity management in preschools using a critical incident approach

Using the critical incident approach, preschool teachers at 10 preschools in Sweden were asked to describe their work with respect to ethnic and cultural diversity. The study attempted to provide insights that go beyond commonly used models of intercultural sensitivity and intercultural competence (e.g. Gudykunst and Kim; Landis, Bennett, and Bennett). Four different understandings and approaches to ethnic and cultural diversity were discernible in the empirical material (i.e. ‘instrumental,’ ‘co-productive,’ ‘facilitative proactive,’ and ‘agitative proactive’). The data suggest that preschool teachers, in order to be interculturally competent, need to work systematically with intercultural pedagogy, intercultural communication skills, and with their discursive awareness. Moreover, it is concluded that if preschool teachers fail to scrutinize their own values, modes of behavior, and a-priori understanding of what ‘is’ cultural behavior, they may sustain cultural stereotypes.     

Persuasion under ambiguity

Theory and Decision - This paper introduces a receiver who perceives ambiguity in a binary model of Bayesian persuasion. The sender has a well-defined prior, while the receiver considers an...     

Möglichkeiten der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit für Krankenhäuser

Possibilities of public relations for hospitals While it is normal for hospitals in the USA to advertise or to do public relations, it is rather uncommon in Germany. Since hospitals in Germany are faced with rising competition and budget restrains of the public health system it seems they are recognizing more and more, that it is difficult to compete in the market without doing public relations. Therefore basic possibilities to reach certain target groups with public relations are presented. Subsequently the case of the Schlosspark-Klinik demonstrates, how it is possible to create public relations, which are strictly oriented towards the main strategy of the hospital.