Relative Risk Aversion: What Do We Know?

The relative risk aversion measure that represents the risk preferences of a decision maker depends on the outcome variable that is used as the argument of the utility function, and on the way that outcome variable is defined or measured. In addition, the relationship between any two such relative risk aversion measures is determined by the relationship between the corresponding outcome variables. These well-known facts are used to adjust several reported estimates of relative risk aversion so that those estimates can be directly compared with one another. After adjustment, the significant variation in the reported relative risk aversion measures for representative decision makers is substantially reduced. JEL Classification: D81     

Safety Risk Analysis of an Innovative Environmental Technology

The authors describe a decision and risk analysis performed for the cleanup of a large Department of Energy mixed-waste subsurface disposal area governed by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). In a previous study, the authors worked with the site decision makers, state regulators, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional regulators to develop a CERCLA-based multiobjective decision analysis value model and used the model to perform a screening analysis of 28 remedial alternatives. The analysis results identified an innovative technology, in situ vitrification, with high effectiveness versus cost. Since this technology had not been used on this scale before, the major uncertainties were contaminant migration and pressure buildup. Pressure buildup was a safety concern due to the potential risks to worker safety. With the help of environmental technology experts remedial alternative changes were identified to mitigate the concerns about contaminant migration and pressure buildup. The analysis results showed that the probability of an event with a risk to worker safety had been significantly reduced. Based on these results, site decision makers have refocused their test program to examine in situ vitrification and have continued the use of the CERCLA-based decision analysis methodology to analyze remedial alternatives.     

From mood to movement: English nationalism,the European Union and taking back control†

This article considers whether the 2016 EU referendum can be perceived as an English nationalist movement. Specifically, attention is given to examining how memories of the former British Empire were nostalgically enveloped in anxieties regarding England’s location within the devolved UK state. The comments and work of Enoch Powell and George Orwell are used to help explore the link between nostalgia and anxiety in accounts of English nationalism. Despite their opposing political orientations, when considered together, it is argued that both men provide a unique cross-political perspective on Englishness, empire and nostalgia. By way of exploring these themes in relation to the EU referendum, Aughey’s assertion that English nationalism can be perceived as both a “mood” and “movement” is used to highlight how a sense of English anxiety regarding its lack of national sovereignty (mood), as well as a desire to reclaim this sovereignty by renegotiating trade relations with the “Anglo-sphere” (movement), were conjoined in the popular referendum slogan, “take back control”. In conclusion, it is argued that the contextualization of the referendum can be predicated upon an orientation to empire that steers away from glorifying pro-imperial images of England/Britain, towards a more positive and progressive appropriation of the EU referendum as a statement of national change and belonging.     

Career Services Imperatives for the Next Millennium

This thought-piece reaffirms and updates the 10 “Imperatives for the 90s” articulated in a 1993 issue of The Jossey-Bass New Directions for Student Services Series titled The Changing Hole of Career Services (J. R. Rayman, 1993). In that volume (No. G2), 10 imperatives for the 90s specific to career services in colleges and universities were identified. Some of the issues that seemed critical then remain critical today. Others have been partially resolved and still others have taken on even more importance and urgency. This article reaffirms those 10 imperatives, provides additional support for their legitimacy, and offers speculations about the future.     

«Il n'y a pas d’avenir dans ce métier.» Être chauffeur de VTC en Afrique par temps de pandémie

Si les plateformes ont donné du travail à beaucoup d’Africains, les emplois créés sont de mauvaise qualité, comme la pandémie l'a bien montré. Dans ce contexte, les auteurs examinent la situation particulière des chauffeurs VTC en Afrique en s'appuyant sur des entretiens approfondis, réalisés au Kenya, et sur les méthodes de l'ethnographie virtuelle. Ils montrent que ces travailleurs ont recours à un «régime de débrouille», associant résilience, réajustement et résistance. Pour améliorer les conditions de travail et lutter contre la précarité dans le secteur, il faut à la fois que les pouvoirs publics instaurent des cadres réglementaires et que les travailleurs se mobilisent collectivement.     

Strategic control of factory automation

This article identifies strategic control as an unexpected difficulty in implementing the ‘factory of the future’ and as a major stumbling block to firms in their automation efforts. The concept of strategic control is discussed and an example is given. The results of a study in this area are then described and used to explain how managers have unknowingly relinquished control of the manufacturing operation. The article concludes with advice for managers in setting up strategic control systems in their firms that will facilitate rather than hinder the progress of factory automation.     

Communities under fire: Empowering families and children in the aftermath of homicide

This article presents an empowerment approach to clinical services for families and children surviving homicides. Narrative theory is used to integrate child, family and community interventions. The article presents a framework for the examination of narratives and guidelines for co-constructing narratives that empower children, families and communities.     

On the Differential Attachments of Migrants from Central and Eastern Europe: A Typology of Labour Migration

In this article we develop an empirically grounded typology of labour migration patterns among migrants from Central and Eastern Europe, based on two dimensions: attachment to the destination country and attachment to the country of origin. We conducted a survey (N=654) among labour migrants in the Netherlands from Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. We found four migration patterns in our data: (i) circular migrants (mostly seasonal workers) with weak attachments to the country of destination, (ii) bi-nationals with strong attachments to both the home country and that of destination, (iii) footloose migrants with weak attachments to both the home and the destination country, and (iv) settlers with weak attachments to the home country. Our findings demonstrate the relevance to the debate on transnationalism and integration of distinguishing different migration patterns. Successful integration in Dutch society can go hand-in-hand with ‘strong’ as well as with ‘weak’ forms of transnationalism. The bi-national pattern shows a tendency to strong transnationalism, while the settlement pattern demonstrates less transnational involvement with the country of origin.