Mathematische Voraussetzungen sozialwissenschaftlicher und psychologischer Studiengänge

In a survey of professors and lectureres at German and Swiss universities we asked for mathematical skills that are prerequisites for successful studies in the social sciences and in psychology. Basic contents of lower secondary education (Sekundarstufe I) were reported as most important. Nevertheless in a hypothetical preparatory mathematics class respondents would like an equal amount of stochastics to be included. Respondents differ especially with repect to their perceived importance of stochastics knowledge prior to immatriculation. While some respondents underline its outstanding importance others consider it completely unnecessary to have stochastic knowledge in advance. There is consent about the level of importance of all other disciplines, calculus and linear algebra being of medium importance, geometry and game theory being less important. Psychologists differ from social scientists in putting even less emphasis on calculus. Aside from differences with respect to stochastics the study indicates the existence of standard requirements shared by all professors and lectureres irrespective of their discipline. This finding facilitates construction of preparatory courses for students across subjects.     

In Good Times but Not in Bad: The Role of Managerial Discretion in Moderating the Stakeholder Management and Financial Performance Relationship

We examine the role of managers in controlling the positive impact of stakeholder management (SM) on firm financial performance (FP) in the long term. We develop and test competing hypotheses on whether managers act as “good citizens” or engage in “self‐dealing” when allowed greater discretion. We test our assertions using dynamic panel data analysis of a sample of 806 U.S. public firms operating in 34 industries over 5 years (2005–2009). Our results indicate a nuanced influence of managerial discretion contexts on the SM‐FP relationship. We infer that given more latitude in decision making, as long as the “going is good” managers act as good citizens, but otherwise they revert to managerial self‐dealing. In light of our results, firms designing governance mechanisms to encourage managers to balance the needs of both shareholders and stakeholders must remain cognizant of contextual contingencies.     

Older Lesbians and Work in the Australian Health and Aged Care Sector

While research has identified challenges lesbians face in the workplace, there is limited understanding of the particular experiences of older lesbians, especially those working in the health and aged care sector. This article draws on the stories of four women who participated in a narrative research project on lesbian and gay people's experiences of health and aged care. It highlights the need for future research to examine the complexity of identity expression and community affiliation, how people negotiate “coming out” in the workplace, the impact of discrimination, and the resources (such as friends) available to lesbians in the workplace.