‘Black card’ or rational bargaining strategies? On the difficulties involved in mastering technology effects by means of interactive processes

The present paper has two objectives in mind: On the one hand, it attempts to present and clarify the attitudes of the Austrian population on ecological issues. On the other hand, its second objective is to explicate, via a documentation and discourse analysis of a discussion on the ‘social compatibility’ of the location of radioactive waste disposal sites, how the notion of ‘social impact assessment’ ought to be interpreted as a strategic game among social actors, revolving around the poles of conflict and rational concensus‐building.     

Condom Negotiation Strategy Use and Effectiveness among College Students

College students may engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as inconsistent condom use, which increase their risk of sexually transmitted infections. This study examined the association between six condom influence strategies (CIS) and reported condom use among a diverse group of college students. Differences in CIS and condom use were examined by gender, race or ethnicity, and relationship status (casual, monogamous, or no current relationship). The study also used a cluster analysis to investigate how the CIS were used relative to one another, and how patterns of CIS use were related to condom use. Results showed interesting differences in CIS use by gender, race or ethnicity, and relationship status. Four patterns of CIS usage emerged, and results suggested that using all CIS frequently and using more assertive CIS may be particularly important for increased condom use. Men reported more condom use than women overall, but results indicated that using CIS were especially vital for increasing condom use for women. Surprisingly, there were no differences in condom use found for race or ethnicity and relationship type. Programs aimed at increasing students' condom use could benefit from promoting and practicing CIS, and recognizing potential differences among demographic groups.     

Measurement of negative affectivity: A comparison of self-reports and observer ratings

Abstract

Both self-report and non-self-report measures (co-worker ratings) of negative affectivity (NA) were obtained. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that these two measures of NA would be moderately correlated. It was also expected that self-report measure of NA would be more strongly correlated with self-reported stressors and strains than would the co-worker measure. Finally, it was predicted that statistically controlling for self-reported NA would attenuate stressor-strain correlations more than would controlling for co-worker ratings of NA. A sample of 121 full-time employees who were pursuing graduate degrees completed self-report measures of stressors, strains, and negative affectivity. These individuals also asked two co-workers to assess their level of negative affectivity. Results supported all three hypotheses. Specifically, there was modest convergence between self-reported and co-worker NA. In addition, self-reported NA was more strongly correlated with self-reported stressors and strains than was the co-worker NA measure. Finally, statistically controlling for self-reported NA attenuated stressor-strain correlations much more than controlling for co-worker NA. These results suggest that observer ratings may be of some use in future NA research. Other implications of these findings are discussed.     

Leadership and team identification: Exploring the followers' perspective

This study investigates the influence of leadership on followers' identification with their work group. Adopting a qualitative research approach, it takes on the followers' perspective for inductively deriving leadership behaviors that pertain to the development of team identification. Based on in-depth data from members of seven teams in the context of UN peacebuilding operations, four aggregate leadership dimensions can be identified that are conducive to members' team identification: providing guidance, encouraging involvement, role modeling, and administering teamwork. Accordingly, this study adds to the exploration of leadership behaviors relevant for team identification that have not been considered by extant research. The results may lay the foundations for future investigations on complementary effects of different leadership behaviors for fostering followers' identification with their work group.     

Islam and Muslim Immigrants in Austria: Socio-Political Networks and Muslim Leadership of Turkish Immigrants

This essay outlines the unique historical and legal aspects of the institutionalization of Islam in Austria and its various organizations. Major attention, however, is given to the concept of socio-political networks in understanding the motives for, and processes of, self-organization of Turkish Muslim migrant communities. Finally, Turkish Muslim leadership (the imams), in Austria is discussed. Based on a pioneer study for Austria, the essay argues that in the context of migrant studies, the religious elites of Muslim immigrants have been largely neglected so far and, hence, deals with their function in the Muslim community and their situation in Austria.