Psychological Determinants of Willingness to Taste and Purchase Genetically Modified Food

Decreasing acceptance of biotechnologies over time has been reported in Europe. Studies claim that attitudes are negative, even hostile, and that people are very worried about genetic engineering in food and medicine. However, such studies are mostly based on surveys and these have significant methodological problems, such as low response rates, which may indicate that only those with strong views respond, thus biasing the sample. Here an alternative method, involving "topic-blind" recruitment of participants and a behavioral measure (food tasting), was used. We show that in a topic-blind sample of 100 individuals, 93% willingly tasted and ate what they believed to be genetically modified (GM) food in an experimental setting, and 48% said they would buy GM food in the future, results that are surprising in the context of other reports about attitudes and intentions toward GM food. Purchasers and nonpurchasers differed in their attitudes toward GM food on key risk-related scales (particularly on a dread-not dread scale--a measure of integral affect--and an ethical-unethical scale). Despite these differences, however, and despite their negative attitude, most nonpurchasers (85.7%) still tasted the GM apple. Incidental affect (state stress and trait worry) was not found to influence risk-related judgments about GM food. Integral affect (dread of GM plants and animals used for food) and concerns about the future risks of GM animals in food were found to be key predictors of willingness to purchase GM food.     

A longitudinal study of newcomer role adjustment in US organizations

Abstract

This paper examines the socialization and adjustment experiences of newcomers to organizations from a role stress perspective. A longitudinal field study is reported which tested a three-stage socialization model using physiological and psychological distress symptoms, general satisfaction, and intention to leave the organization as indicators of newcomer adjustment. Data were collected from newcomers (the focal role) (N = 91) at three times during me study and also from their supervisors (the role senders) (N = 41). While the data confirmed the general utility of the model, it also suggested some revisions by way of new and altered pathways between some of the variables.     

Testing equality of proportions with incomplete correlated data

Let (ψ_i,φ_i) be independent, identically distributed pairs of zero-one random variables with (possible) dependence of ψ_i and φ_i within the pair. For n pairs, both variables are observed, but for m₁ additional pairs only ψ_i is observed and for m₂ others φ_i is observed. If π_1· = P{ψ_i = 1} and π_·1=P{φ_i, the problem is to test π_1·=π_·1. Maximum likelihood estimates of π_1· and π_·1 are obtained via the EM algorithm. A test statistic is developed whose null distribution is asymptotically chi-square with one degree of freedom (as n and either m₁ or m₂ tend to infinity). If m₁ = m₂ = 0 the statistic reduces to that of McNemar's test; if n = 0, it is equivalent to the statistic for testing equality of two independent proportions. This test is compared with other tests by means of Pitman efficiency. Examples are presented.     

Last‐In First‐Out Oligopoly Dynamics

This paper extends the static analysis of oligopoly structure into an infinite‐horizon setting with sunk costs and demand uncertainty. The observation that exit rates decline with firm age motivates the assumption of last‐in first‐out dynamics: An entrant expects to produce no longer than any incumbent. This selects an essentially unique Markov‐perfect equilibrium. With mild restrictions on the demand shocks, sequences of thresholds describe firms' equilibrium entry and survival decisions. Bresnahan and Reiss' (1993) empirical analysis of oligopolists' entry and exit assumes that such thresholds govern the evolution of the number of competitors. Our analysis provides an infinite‐horizon game‐theoretic foundation for that structure.     

Strategic Management of Operations in the Emergency Department

This study is based on the analysis of field data on the revenues and patient flows that we collected on all adult emergency department (ED) visits to a level‐1 trauma, tertiary referral center. Our objective was to provide researchers in operations a rich overview of the processes, resources, and metrics of financial and operations performance in the ED. We analyze how patients, physicians, hospitals/physician employer groups, and payers are party to the value created and financial workflow of the ED. A waterfall model for professional services revenue is developed that highlights the impacts of changes in processes, resources, scale, complexity, and mix of patients treated in the ED. We also discuss future implications of new compensation models and potential scenarios that will focus upon controlling costs while maximizing population health and patient satisfaction. These models will necessitate re‐engineering of operations in the ED from a strategic perspective. Four major thrusts for selecting the capacity portfolio in the ED operations to align the interests of all the stakeholders are recommended. New avenues for research are also identified.