Wage differentials within a female‐dominated occupation: Domestic workers in informal and flexible jobs in Portugal

The authors use an original cross‐sectional data set to examine the impact of informal and flexible contractual arrangements on the wages of domestic workers hired by private employers in Portugal. OLS estimations suggest that formality benefits workers, whether they have a stable or a flexible contract. However, social and labour market processes help to shape and maintain inequality, especially for migrant workers. Although skills are undervalued and do not generate rewards, higher wages are identified for workers who are engaged in contingent work, work for multiple employers or provide care for the elderly. However, such workers are still subject to exploitation and insecurity.     

Mother–Grandmother and Mother–Father Coparenting Across Time Among Mexican‐Origin Adolescent Mothers and Their Families

The current study examined mothers' reports of coparenting relationship dynamics (i.e., conflict, communication) within and between mother–father and mother–grandmother subsystems from 10 months postpartum to 5 years postpartum among 178 Mexican‐origin teen mothers (M age = 16.78 years; SD = 1.00). Within subsystems, more frequent mother–father coparenting conflict was associated with less frequent mother–father coparenting communication from 10 months to 5 years postpartum, and more frequent mother–father coparenting communication was associated with less frequent mother–father conflict from 3 to 4 years postpartum. Furthermore, more frequent mother–grandmother coparenting communication was associated with less frequent mother–grandmother conflict from 10 months to 2 years postpartum. Regarding relations across subsystems, more frequent mother–father coparenting conflict was associated with more frequent mother–grandmother conflict from 10 months to 2 years postpartum, as well as from 3 to 4 years postpartum. Findings have implications for future interventions focused on coparenting relationships within the context of adolescent parenthood.     

Research note: Promoting intercultural education through art education

Taking UNESCO’s proposal ‘learning how to live together’ as a starting point, we examined to what extent visual education can be used as a tool to promote the aims of intercultural education. We analyzed the power of using artistic images from different cultures to change students’ perception of cultural differences, thereby facilitating the development of attitudes of respect towards different ethnic/cultural groups. We also investigated to what extent this strategy could contribute to the integration of minority peers into a majority group. Students were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental treatment consisted of exposing students to several art object images associated with different cultures. Our measurement instrument was based on an adapted version of the ‘Draw‐A‐Person‐Test’, which we have called the ‘Draw‐Two‐Persons‐Test’. We also used a questionnaire to examine attitudes among subjects     

信息时代图书馆的应对策略

信息时代给图书馆的发展带来了机遇和挑战。本文讨论的主要内容包括图书馆应对信息时代的策略、在激烈竞争中求得生存和发展的途径     

An interactive decision support system for an aggregate production planning model based on multiple criteria mixed integer linear programming

In this paper, we present an aggregate production planning (APP) model applied to a Portuguese firm that produces construction materials. A multiple criteria mixed integer linear programming (MCMILP) model is developed with the following performance criteria: (1) maximize profit, (2) minimize late orders, and (3) minimize work force level changes. It includes certain operational features such as partial inflexibility of the work force, legal restrictions on workload, work force size (workers to be hired and downsized), workers in training, and production and inventory capacity. The purpose is to determine the number of workers for each worker type, the number of overtime hours, the inventory level for each product category, and the level of subcontracting in order to meet the forecasted demand for a planning period of 12 months. Additionally, a decision support system (DSS) based on the MCMILP model is proposed. It will help practitioners find the “best” solution for an APP problem without having to familiarize themselves with the mathematical complexities associated with the model. An example to illustrate the use of the DSS is also included.     

论计算机犯罪对我国刑事法之冲击

计算机犯罪作为与高科技相伴生的新型犯罪,对我国刑事法中有关计算机犯罪的罪名立法问题、犯罪主体问题、刑罚问题、刑事管辖权问题、刑事侦查工作以及刑事证据制度产生了诸多冲击。法学界应当正视面临的挑战,完善立法,以回应这些冲击。     

中国建立资本市场特区探析

资本市场成功运作及国际资本的利用 ,事关重大。处于初级阶段的中国资本市场 ,在对国内新兴高科技高风险产业和西部大开发的支持方面 ,力度有限。为了驱弊就利 ,我们的又一选择是在保持大局基本稳定的前提下 ,建立资本市场特区 ,实行资本市场递进放开战略。中国已经具备建立资本市场特区的基本素质。要建立资本市场特区 ,就必须选择经济基础较好、易于调控的中小城市踩点 ,以及较大区域的特殊资本领域对外开放。     

中国农村人口流动的走向及其对社会发展的影响——兼论西部大开发对人口合理流动导向的社会意义

从社会学的视角,描述和分析了中国农村人口流动的规模、基本特点及其走向;农村人口流动对我国社会发展的影响;西部大开发战略实施对促进人口合理流动,实现人口正态分布的社会意义。认为“民工潮”现象是中国工业化、城市化、现代化过程的必然现象,是社会文明与进步的表现,是解决中国农业和农民问题的契机,只能疏导,不能压抑和堵截;而西部大开发战略为解决中国农业和农民问题提供了大思路和历史性机遇。     

Tolerance is Not Enough: The Moderating Role of Optimism on Perceptions of Regional Economic Performance

Current theories on economic growth are stressing the important role of creativity and innovation as a main driver of regional development. Some perspectives, like Richard Florida’s ‘creative class theory’, have elected tolerance and diversity as a core concept in explaining differential development between different places, but his assumptions are challenged by other empirical and theoretical studies. In this article, we raise the possibility that tolerance is a necessary yet not a sufficient ingredient to trigger economic development in regions, and explore the role of subjective well-being (life-satisfaction, happiness, and optimism) as a moderator. Using a nationwide survey of 3,757 respondents from 21 different municipalities, the results show that optimism played the role of moderator, thus evidencing that psychological variables should be taken into account when trying to understand regional economic development.