Decision-theoretic aspects of risk-taking behaviour

A crucial problem in economic decision (game) theory is to specify by an algorithm the standards of behaviour which determine the process of decision-making. Recent research has indicated that the attitude to risk is an important argument for finding unique solutions for decision problems. In this study different behaviour-constants of decision-making are reported which clarify that a logical equivalency exists between decision-making, conflict, achievement motive and risk-taking. By using information theoretic arguments as a transform rule, it is suggested to measure risk-preference and risk-aversion in terms of redundancy and related measures.The author is assistant at the University of Bonn (Institut für Industrie-und Verkehrs-politik der Universität Bonn, Adenauerallee 24–26, D-5300 Bonn).     

Managing Network Economies: The Competitive Advantage of Commons as Ecosystems of Innovation

Among the serious concerns raised by the socioeconomic development of the twenty-first century is the question of how regional development, especially in economically weak areas, can be supported in such a way as to bring about flexibility and innovation, matters causally associated with the long-term viability and evolution of living systems. This contribution employs research results derived from the management of common-pool resources (commons) to reconstruct the ways and means by which knowledge in robust and enduring organizations of commons may support the regional development of ecosystems of innovation, that is, systems of distributed knowledge featuring polycentric administration and decision mechanisms that mutually facilitate flexible and innovative solutions. All these matters are addressed by the application of the language-information-reality (LIR) framework and its extensions. The use of this framework of analysis helps to broaden awareness and understand where common sense is a synergistic consideration, and where an enhancement of our background knowledge is necessary.     

Integrating Kanban principles in a pharmaceutical campaign production system

Centralised planned campaign production is the predominant production system in process industries. In this study, we investigate whether a decentralised Kanban control system, which has proven to offer advantages in other industries, can be successfully integrated in a campaign production environment. The used research methodology combines model-based and case-study-based elements. Using the example of a pharmaceutical internal five-stage supply chain, we conceive a Kanban concept that integrates campaign formation, develop a discrete-event simulation model and conduct a range of explorative simulation experiments. We find that a Kanban campaign production system is not merely feasible but would also be favourable: throughput times can be reduced without increasing customer lead times. Sensitivity analysis shows that the system’s performance is relatively robust to changes in Kanban key configuration parameters such as number of Kanban cards or campaign size. We conclude by discussing our findings and formulating three propositions that might stimulate future research.     

Soziologische Emotionskonzepte und ihre Probleme

The sociology of emotions not only faces the challenge to develop an analytical theory framework by which emotions and their significance for social behavior and social relations can be analyzed, it has also to account for the complexity of emotions as far as ‘emotions’ constitute a diverse, heterogeneous phenomenon area which can be identified only in functional respect. However, in sociology as well as in emotion research in general, very often a rather reduced, single-sided understanding of emotions occurs that is based on everyday concepts. As a result, the relationship between emotionality and sociality can be grasped only sub-complexely. The following article presents a modular theory of the sociology of emotions which integrates different levels of emotions in the form of base emotions and cognitive emotions and by which different forms of social and cultural influenceability of emotions can be identified. With the example of the theory of the structure theoretical individualism of Hartmut Esser we examine how such a modular theory can be integrated into a sociological theory framework in an analytically sound way.     

Kommunikation – Arbeit – KommunikationsarbeitCommunication – Work – Communication work

Characteristic of modern work in highly developed capitalist countries is, that on the one hand work processes are computerized and on the other hand more and more areas of social, formerly life-world communications are economised. Both goes together in modern communication work. Secular life communication can be continued regardless of a consenting Yes or negative No. This is different for communication work, which is not primarily about understanding but to consent because the work aspect of communication work cannot be realized if the communication offer is rejected. With the hegemonic of communication work and the resolution of the boundary between the world of work and the word of living increases the risk, that social communication altogether becomes strategic in the persuasive organization of approval and criticism is neutralized.     

How Common is Men's Self-Reported Sexual Interest in Prepubescent Children?

Consistent evidence exists for sexual interest in children in nonclinical/nonforensic male populations. However, prevalences for community men's self-reported sexual interest in children have been based on indiscriminate definitions including postpubescent individuals, age-restricted samples, and/or small convenience samples. The present research assessed men's self-reported sexual interest in children (including child prostitution and child sex tourism) on the community level and examined the link between strictly defined sexual fantasies and behaviors involving prepubescent children. In an online survey of 8,718 German men, 4.1% reported sexual fantasies involving prepubescent children, 3.2% reported sexual offending against prepubescent children, and 0.1% reported a pedophilic sexual preference. Sexual fantasies involving prepubescent children were positively related to sexual offending against prepubescent children. Sexual interest in children was associated with subjectively perceived need for therapeutic help. In contrast to findings from forensic samples, men who reported child pornography use exclusively were identified as a subgroup differing from contact sexual offenders against prepubescent children and men who reported both child pornography use and contact sexual offenses against prepubescent children. The empirical link between child-related sexual fantasies and sexual victimization of prepubescent children and high levels of subjective distress from this inclination underscore the importance of evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention approaches in the community. Findings are discussed in terms of their relation to pedophilic disorder.