Do Chief Executives’ Traits Affect the Financial Performance of Risk‐trading Firms? Evidence from the UK Insurance Industry

We examine the effects of four key dimensions of Chief Executive Officers’ (CEOs’) traits on six financial performance metrics using panel data for 1999?2012 drawn from the UK's property?casualty insurance industry. We find that CEO insurance experience and CEO financial expertise enhance financial performance, while two other CEO traits ? power and age ? are generally not significant. Our results thus reinforce the importance of CEO insurance industry expertise and CEO financial expertise in the management and trading of risks. Our results have potential commercial and policy implications.     

Ethical consideration of the research proposal and the informed-consent process: An online survey of researchers and ethics committee members in Thailand

Researchers designing and conducting studies using human data should consider the values and principles of ethical conduct. Research ethics committees (RECs) typically evaluate the ethical acceptability of research proposals. Sometimes, differences arise between how researchers and RECs interpret ethical principles, and how they decide what constitutes ethical conduct. This study aimed to explore the opinions of these two groups about the importance of core ethical issues in the proposal and in the informed-consent process. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to a target population in health-related academic/research institutes across Thailand; 219 researchers and 72 REC members participated. Significantly, more REC members than researchers attributed the highest importance to three core ethical considerations – risk/benefit, vulnerability, and confidentiality/privacy. For the informed-consent process, significant differences were found for communication of risks, decision-making authority for consent, process for approaching study participants, and availability of a contact for study deviations/violations. The different ratings indicate differences in the groups’ perspectives on ethical principles, which may affect focal congruence on ethical issues in the proposal. Communication of these findings should help close gaps between REC and researcher perceptions. Further study should investigate how RECs and researchers perceive equivocal ethics terms.     

The differential role of job demands in relation to nonwork domain outcomes based on the challenge-hindrance framework

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to meta-analytically test a novel theoretical model examining a dual stressor and dual process model relating demands in the work domain to outcomes in the nonwork domain. The foundation for this model rested upon the challenge-hindrance framework and the role depletion and role enhancement perspectives derived from role theory as applied to the work-nonwork interface. The results show mixed support for the proposed model. In line with the challenge-hindrance framework the effects of challenge stressors were less detrimental than hindrance stressors. However, contrary to what has been reported for work domain outcomes, the net effect of both challenges and hindrances on nonwork domain outcomes was negative. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Two Faces of Self and Emotion in Symbolic Interactionism: From Process to Structure and Culture—And Back

During the heyday of modernist sociology, two theories emerged within symbolic interaction, each attempting to refine and extend aspects of Mead's framework: Affect Control Theory and Identity Theory. The similarities between these two different theories have led to confusion as well as speculation about their continuance as separate theories. We trace the development of both, contrast their foci and contributions, and outline paradigmatic changes that may reconcile some differences. In addition, we highlight the growing potential for interface with processual symbolic interactionist work, and the possible benefits for all such “faces” of the framework.     

Use of Functional Capacity Evaluations by rehabilitation providers in NSW

Returning the disabled worker to maximum productivity is a shared responsibility between the treating health practitioners and employers, with the insurer as an overseer of the injury management plan. Allied health professionals have responded to the need for standardized tools to assess work capacity by developing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs). Literature exists outlining the limitations of FCEs in injury management systems; however, little is known about their uses and perceived usefulness. Questionnaires were posted to managers and therapists of accredited rehabilitation providers. The questionnaires consisted of both open and closed format questions. The response rate for the managers' questionnaire was 53%, while the therapists' questionnaire was 27%. The majority of rehabilitation providers use an assessment of their Own Design. Eight commercial FCEs were identified as being used. The majority of therapists use only one type of FCE. Therapists rated FCEs highly on their flexibility with Own Design assessment rated as significantly more flexible than the most frequently used commercial FCEs. From the data collected, it appears that cost is the main factor influencing choice of assessment. Level of evidence supporting capabilities of particular assessments does not appear to influence use. It seems that, despite there being poor research evidence to support the use of many brands of FCEs, they are still commonly used by rehabilitation providers. To achieve optimal use of FCEs, further research is required on the types of adaptations therapists make to commercial assessments and properties of Own Design assessments, including reliability and validity studies.     

The transition to caregiving: the experience of family members embarking on the dementia caregiving career

Although there is an extensive literature on dementia caregiving, research on family members' adjustment to the onset of dementia and on the early stage of caregiving is limited. This article describes a phenomenological study based on twenty semi-structured interviews with spouses and adult daughters of someone with early/mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants were asked to describe the earliest changes in the parent or spouse and the changes to their everyday lives and in their relationships brought by cognitive impairment. These family members reported taking on many new responsibilities in a highly interactive caregiving process consisting primarily of decision-making and supervision. Many participants reported experiencing frustration, resentment, grief, and relational deprivation, along with increased protectiveness and tenderness towards the person with dementia. Most of the participants were ambivalent about seeking or accepting help from others and seemed to want to maintain the status quo as long as possible. Social workers meeting with families in the context of disclosure of a dementia diagnosis or the early adjustment period may help by identifying their losses, normalizing negative feelings, and helping families envision ways they could use outside help.     

Mobile Air Monitoring: Measuring Change in Air Quality in the City of Hamilton, 2005–2010

This paper examines the change in air pollutant concentrations between 2005 and 2010 occurring in the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. After analysis of stationary air pollutant concentration data, we analyze mobile air pollutant concentration data. Air pollutants included in the analysis are CO, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO, NO₂, and NO_X. Stationary monitoring indicates a continuous reduction in air pollutant concentrations. Stationary monitors only cover a small spatial extent of Hamilton. Mobile monitoring of air pollutant concentrations, averaged over census tract boundaries, indicates both improvement and decline in air quality. These improvements and declines in air quality are spatially clustered throughout Hamilton. Mobile data indicated significant decline in median pollutant concentration for CO, SO₂, PM_2.5, and NO₂; but significant increase for NO and NO_X. Air quality change in Hamilton is spatially heterogeneous, and is not captured based on the current stationary monitoring network. Coupling of mobile and stationary air pollutant concentration monitoring provides a more accurate spatial assessment of local air quality.