The Rural/Urban Volunteering Divide

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations - Are rural residents more likely to volunteer than those living in urban places? Although early sociological theory posited...     

Structure of the public relations/communication department: Key findings from a global study

This paper reports on some of the core findings from a program of research focused on examining the structure of public relations/communication departments. It draws on a recent major global study that was sponsored by the former Research Foundation of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Analyzing the results from interviews with 26 Chief Communication Officers (CCOs) located in each of the five continents and from a survey sample of some 278 CCOs based in organizations headquartered across the globe, the study found quite notable variations in the type of departmental structures. No one dominant structural model emerged. In effect, each organization appeared to adopt a structural design to suit their individual circumstances, although there were nevertheless some reasonably common component functional elements within each department. CCOs identified those variables that they believed most influenced the design of the public relations department structure. While recognizing department structure is situation dependent, the evidence suggests that CCOs create hybrid structures unique to the circumstances. What was perhaps most surprising was that department structure did not appear to be strongly influenced by department size, other than in terms of the vertical structural design. In short, there do not appear to be any common formulas or prescribed solutions for how organizations should or do orchestrate the design of the public relations department structure, rather CCOs appear to be able to exercise a degree of latitude in determining what works best for them.     

"Two men under one cloak"---the Sages permit it: homosexual marriage in Judaism

This article examines halakhic (Jewish legal) passages that relate to homosexuality and marriage between two males. The article sets forth the respective positions of contemporary Jewish denominations in regard to homosexual marriage. Homosexual marriage is a case of first impression in Judaism and requires new decisions and new marriage contracts. The principal thesis of the article is that contemporary Judaism can accommodate philosophically--but also legally--a halakhic framework of thinking, same-sex marriage between men. Judaism does not have to opt for the perspectives of Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism, which have, to a major extent, freed themselves from the traditions and rituals of Jewish law. After examining marriage contracts in Rabbinic literature, specific examples are presented of how homosexual marriage between two males may be implemented.     

Post-communist lavender menace: lesbians in mainstream East European film

The article examines four films-Károly Makk's Egymásra nézve (Another Way, Hungary, 1982), Maja Weiss's Varuh meje (Guardian of the Frontier, Slovenia 2002), Dalibor Matani?'s Fine mrtve djevojke (Fine Dead Girls, Croatia, 2002), and Dragan Marinkovi?'s Di?i duboko (Take a Deep Breath, Serbia, 2004)-as post-communist or dissident national allegories. In all of these films by straight directors the lesbians represent a metaphorical threat to the hetero/sexist national order, but they are unfortunately little more than simulacra. They can be emotionally real (and fun for the straight male audience to ogle), but that ultimately works against them, because instead of representing real lesbian communities, they still have to affirm the stereotype of tragic lesbian destiny straight audiences find comforting.     

A hole in the ladder: How to reconcile the benefits of equality with the merits of hierarchy

During recent decades, many researchers have advocated the benefits of equality over hierarchy. These scholars, for example, have argued that income should be uniform across the organization, layers of management should be dismantled, and that employees should be granted opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Yet, many complications of equality have also been unearthed. For instance, variability in income is sometimes positively associated with performance, employees tend to prefer organizations that are characterized by many tiers of management, and employee participation in all key decisions can undermine efficiency. Managers, therefore, must introduce measures that temper these complications. To identify suitable measures, managers need to understand how different dimensions of equality impinge on the determinants of wellbeing and performance. To fulfill this need, this paper first distinguishes three dimensions of equality: participation, authority, and income. Next, this paper invokes a variety of theories—from compensatory control to dominance complementarity—to understand how each dimension of equality affects the core needs of individuals, as defined by self-determination theory. Equality of authority tends to impede all three needs: relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Equality of participation and equality of income, however, foster all three needs. One exception is that equality of income may diminish competence on tasks that demand the application of established principles rather than intuition. This framework clarifies the designs and practices of organizations that may optimize wellbeing and enhance performance.     

The application of decision theory to sustainable management of an upland Scottish estate

Financial, social and ecological cost and benefit criteria were used to examine the sustainability of land-use options on an upland Scottish estate. The costs and benefits of alternative land uses were examined using a psychometric modelling technique based on decision-conferencing, using an expert group of people. Three decision models based respectively on financial, social and ecological criteria were developed, compared and then integrated. The management options that emerged from the integrated model as best compromises appeared to be reasonable and feasible within the framework of facts and projections available to the group. The effects of different future scenarios, such as changes in fiscal policy, were also examined using the models. A three-dimensional model constructed from a principal components analysis of the input data produced axes that seemed to reflect certain socio-political archetypes.     

Recovering a Dialectical View of Rationality

In this article, I argue for an interpretation of Messick's (1989) theory of validity that supports a dialectical over a technical view of rationality in making validity judgments. A primary theme underlying Messick's theory is the “Singerian” approach to inquiry where one system of inquiry is observed by another in order to open "their underlying scientific and value assumptions to public scrutiny and critique"(pp. 61–62). Against Markus (this issue), who argues that a “completion” of Messick's theoretical project is necessary to support a single, best justified validity judgment for any given test use, I argue that Messick has provided a means of maintaining validity theory and the judgments it supports as ongoing accomplishments, always open to other perspectives, and critically reflexive in light of those challenges.     

The use of large-group role-play techniques in social work education

The social work student's dilemma of how to link theory to practice is explored and developed by the use of a 'large-group role play' as part of a university-based DipSW programme. This project, although challenging to deliver, has met with an enthusiastic response from DipSW students.     

The Form of Children’s Political Engagement in Everyday Life

This article explores the form of children’s political engagement, considering the politicization of events, their political understanding and alignments. It draws on research into memories of childhood and social change in the latter half of the 20th century and builds on academic debates about children’s political participation. Children’s experience of policing, industrial unrest, popular dissent, social movements and party politics is discussed. Children’s political engagement involves three elements. They must navigate different political perspectives, their understanding grows through feelings of concern and empathy, and they align to groups they can relate to and feel might make a difference.