Experimentelle vignettendesigns in faktoriellen surveys

Der faktorielle Survey (Vignettenanalyse) als empirisches Messmodell zur differenzierten Untersuchung komplexer Fragestellungen wurde vor allem in der jüngeren Vergangenheit wieder entdeckt und angewandt. Eine Herausforderung bei der Planung fast aller Vignettendesigns stellt die notwendige Reduktion der Vignettenpopulation dar, da zumeist nicht alle Vignetten jedem einzelnen Respondenten zur Beurteilung vorgelegt werden k?nnen. In diesem Beitrag thematisieren wir die mit den verschiedenen Strategien zur Vignettenselektion und Vignettensetbildung verbundenen Implikationen bezüglich der statistischen Analyse und inhaltlichen Interpretation der Ergebnisse. Dabei zeigen sich die Vorzüge von experimentellen Vignettendesigns, die auf den Techniken der gezielt geplanten Fraktionalisierung und Konfundierung aufbauen. Anhand einer Pilotstudie, bei der unter Einsatz des faktoriellen Surveys normative Meinungen über die Zuerkennung der ?sterreichischen Staatsbürgerschaft an Migranten erhoben wurden, beschreiben wir die praktische Umsetzung eines konfundiert faktoriellen Vignettendesigns und dessen ad?quate statistische Analyse. Empfehlungen für die praktische Umsetzung eines experimentellen Vignettendesigns beschlie?en den Beitrag.     

Diversity Management: aus der Beratungspraxis geplaudert

The article describes two consulting cases out of the context of Diversity Management in Germany. It is shown that differences between persons are still interpreted as negative tensions, which call for quick dismissal. Taking differences as a chance instead of a threat and giving thereby a company new positive impulses remains a topic for the future.     

Gambling and problem gambling among adult Minnesotans: Changes 1990 to 1994

We assess changes in gambling and problem gambling from 1990 to 1994, a period of rapid expansion in gambling availability. Surveys of non-institutionalized adult Minnesotans were conducted in the spring of each year. Problem gambling was assessed using the SOGS-M, the Minnesota revision of the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Gambling was found to be more frequent among Minnesotans in 1994 than in 1990, and the preference for games changed. Moreover, problem gambling increased over the period. This increase, however, appears to have occurred at the lower ends of the problem gambling continuum rather than at the probable pathological level. Policy implications are explored.     

Parent-child separation: A comparison of maternally and paternally separated children in military families

In recent times children have adapted to parental separation as parents balance the demands of family and job responsibilities. While job-related separation affect many in today's society, no population is affected more than children of military families. Changes in the Armed Services have resulted in more children being separated from their active-duty mothers. Although studies have documented the relationship between father-absence and a child's psychosocial development, little is known about mother-child separation in military families. This study compares the psychosocial functioning of children who have experienced extended maternal separation with that exhibited by children who have separated from their fathers. Implications for social work practice are addressed.This research met the dissertation requirement for a D.S.W. at Catholic University of America with Dr. Elizabeth Timberlake as chair and Dr. Barbara Early as committee member.Dr. Applewhite is Chief, Social Work Service, Beyne-Jones Army Community Hospital and Dr. Mays is Social Work Consultant to the Army Surgeon General, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.     

Die Heider-Simmel-Studie (1944) in neueren Replikationen

More than sixty years ago Fritz Heider and Marianne Simmel conducted an experimental study, which can be seen as the starting point of attribution theory research. Moving symbols were shown during a short animated cartoon which Ss unanimously described as living objects (mostly people). This quite often quoted study has been replicated several times in Germany in the last few years. These replications show that (1) stories produced by Ss are formed by personal motivations of Ss, and that (2) content of stories can in part be attributed to the research settings and finally (3) it is shown in recent replications that Ss are surprisingly far less inclined to describe the symbols in terms of acting persons or animals than in the original study. Possible reasons for these results are discussed.     

Partnerwahl und Wertewandel —

The rapid change, which happened in the last decades in developed industrialized societies, is described by Ronald Inglehart (1977, 1989 and 1998) as an evolution from a materialistic a postmaterialistic dimension. Values with materialistic preferences related to periods of existential insecurity change to such with post-materialistic preferences related to periods of existential security in which living seems to be natural and in which post-materialistic values gain more importance. This study investigates whether a similar shift of values can be observed, from a materialistic to a post-materialistic dimension of values, in the area of personal partnerships, specifically concerning the partner selection. To test this assumption a new measuring tool based upon the Inglehart-Index has been developed which allowed recording the data of 525 persons for a cross sectional analysis. The results principally confirm the hypothesis that the preferences in the partner selection have changed from materialistic to post-materialistic values. The results clearly demonstrate as well that the level of education has a significant influence on partner selection preferences.     

Interkulturalität in der Personal-, Team- und Organisationsentwicklung

Intercultural aspects are becoming more and more important for personnel development, team building and organizational development due to internationalization and globalization. This contribution describes fundamental principles with regard to the relevance of intercultural aspects in these three intervention fields and summarizes scientific research on this topic. Following a clarification of basic concepts, intercultural training and intercultural assessment centers — as specific personnel development activities — are treated, results of evaluation research are presented and recommendations for the application of these instruments are given. Team development is discussed with special regard to processes and effectiveness of multinational work groups. Intercultural influences on participation and intergroup relations are described as two main aspects of organizational development.     

Reputation und Kooperation

The institutionalized system of rating sellers in internet-auctions is a powerful tool to promote cooperation. This system encourages rational actors to “invest in reputation” and, consequently, to behave cooperatively. We analyze the strategic behaviour of sellers and buyers and, particularly, we investigate with empirical data whether there is a “premium on reputation”. Ulrich Brinkmann and Matthias Meifert critically comment on our article. In this rejoinder we discuss their objections and particularly the measurement of reputation. Also, we explore the question of the relevance of an institutionalized system of reputation. Is an exogeneous sanctioning mechanism a necessary prerequisite to generate a stable amount of cooperation as Brinkmann and Meifert argue or does the institution of a reputation system suffice? To answer this question further experimental or simulation studies are required.