The relative value of a management information system,a simulation study

A relative value of a management information system (MIS) is defined in this paper by a ratio $\text{u}{}_1\text{u}{}_0$, where u₀ is a value of a utility function of an enterprise whose management information system is perfect, and u₁ is its value when it is not perfect and may produce inaccurate or out-of-date data among correct information. Our simulation model contains beuristics which describe the operational and strategic information system of an enterprise. The environment of the enterprise may be stable or dynamic. A mathematical formula, based on simulations, is developed. This formula describes how the relative value of an MIS depends on such factors as the accuracy of an operational information system, delays in information flow, the quality of a strategic information system, a reinvestment ratio used in the enterprise, and a number of investment periods. This formula has been found suitable in an enterprise with a strategically stable environment, but not with a turbulent environment.     

Beyond the certainty of security: On dominant and latent conceptions of “security” in modern societies

While other political programs have a relatively short history, the programatic logic of security is rather long-standing. This article argues that security as a product is a conception of modernity which came to its limits. The question arises, which kind of conception could be beyond those limits.     

The Effects of Australian Tall Poppy Attitudes on American Value Based Leadership Theory

A survey study of twenty-two Australian CEOs and their subordinates assessed relationships between Australian leader motives, Australian value based leader behaviour, subordinate tall poppy attitudes and subordinate commitment, effectiveness, motivation and satisfaction (CEMS). On the whole, the results showed general support for value based leadership processes. Subsequent regression analyses of the second main component of Value Based Leadership Theory, value based leader behaviour, revealed that the collectivistic, inspirational, integrity and visionary behaviour sub-scales of the construct were positively related with subordinate CEMS. Although the hypothesis that subordinate tall poppy attitudes would moderate value based leadership processes was not clearly supported, subsequent regression analyses found that subordinate tall poppy attitudes were negatively related with perceptions of value based leader behaviour and CEMS. These findings suggest complex relationships between the three constructs, and the proposed model for the Australian context is accordingly amended. Overall, the research supports the need to consider cultural-specific attitudes in management development.     

School Difficulties and Immigrant Background: conclusions about intercultural education

This article, based on my doctoral thesis, presents a study with respect to teachers' thinking regarding school difficulties and their attitudes toward students' immigrant backgrounds. The intention of my doctoral thesis was to study the factors surrounding immigrant students' schooling. In the prevailing thinking in Sweden, students with immigrant backgrounds are often associated with problems and difficulties, not only in administrative circles but also in practical pedagogical discussions taking place in the schools. These problems are the starting point for an analysis of the reasoning and present thinking regarding immigrant students and their school situations.     

House Demolition and Mental Health: Victims and Witnesses

This research examines the immediate effects of losing one's home and witnessing the demolition of others' houses on the mental health of Palestinian adults and children. The loss group consisted of 47 adults whose homes were demolished, the witness group of 24 adults who witnessed the house demolition, and the control group of 33 adults. The groups were compared for their anxiety, depression, and paranoiac symptoms. In addition, 38 children in the loss group, 36 children in the witness group, and 50 children in the control group were compared for their psychological symptoms. The results showed that adults who were exposed to house demolition showed a higher level of anxiety, depression, and paranoiac symptoms than the witness and control groups. The children in the loss group showed a higher level of psychological symptoms than the children in the witness and control groups. The witness group differed from the control group in having more depression among women and more psychological symptoms among children. Women suffered more from anxiety, depression, and paranoiac symptoms than men in the loss and witness groups but not in the control group.     

Farmer Knowledge and Risk Analysis: Postrelease Evaluation of Herbicide-Tolerant Canola in Western Canada

The global controversy regarding the use of genetically modified (GM) crops has proved to be a challenge for "science-based" risk assessments. Although risk analysis incorporates societal perspectives in decision making over these crops, it is largely predicated on contrasts between "expert" and "lay" perspectives. The overall objective of this study is to explore the role for farmers' knowledge, and their decade-long experience with herbicide-tolerant (HT) canola, in the risk analysis of GM crops. From 2002 to 2003, data were collected using interviews ( n = 15) and mail surveys ( n = 370) with farmers from Manitoba and across Canada. The main benefits associated with HT canola were management oriented and included easier weed control, herbicide rotation, and better weed control, whereas the main risks were more diverse and included market harm, technology use agreements (TUAs), and increased seed costs. Benefits and risks were inversely related, and the salient factor influencing risk was farmer experiences with HT canola volunteers, followed by small farm size and duration using HT canola. These HT volunteers were reported by 38% of farmers, from both internal (e.g., seedbank, farm machinery, etc.) and external (e.g., wind, seed contamination, etc.) sources, and were found to persist over time. Farmer knowledge is a reliable and rich source of information regarding the efficacy of HT crops, demonstrating that individual experiences are important to risk perception. The socioeconomic nature of most risks combined with the continuing "farm income crisis" in North America demonstrates the need for a more holistic and inclusive approach to risk assessment associated with HT crops and, indeed, with all new agricultural technology.     

Akteure der Gentrification und ihre Ortsbindung:

Relations between residential quality and place attachment of people involved in the gentrification process of an old inner city housing area in East Germany were asked by a questionnaire. As part of a neighbourhood monitoring process, a total of N = 295 subjects of the urban revitalization area of Magdeburg-Buckau participated in the study. Perceived residential quality was measured with an adapted German version of the “Residential Satisfaction Scale” (Bonaiuto et al. 1999), place attachment with a German version of Bonaiuto et al. (1999) “Neighbourhood Attachment Scale”. The empirical findings revealed that those residential preferences which are relevant for gentrification, such as buildings’ aesthetic pleasantness and presence of green areas, are significant predictors of both pioneers’ and gentrifiers’ place attachment. For all residential groups social cohesion was a significant predictor of place attachment, whereas the length of residence was a significant predictor of place attachment only for those who had lived in the area for a long time (i.e., lower class people and high-class people of high education).     

Gender Variations of Physiological and Psychological Strain Amongst Police Officers

This paper analyses the gender effect on reported—perceived levels of stress through examination of physical and psychological indicators. It is interesting to work with police data due to high stress levels and the male dominated work environment. This paper explores both gender differences in (perceived) stress levels as well as the underlying gender-specific sensitivity to environmental factors, such as unit cooperation, trust in the work partner, higher levels of work-life-balance and home stability, and interactional fairness. Using multivariate regression analysis we find that female officers are significantly more likely to report physical strains than males, while no gender differences are observable in regards to psychological strains. Moreover, higher levels of trust and interactional fairness at work are not able to absorb physical strain among females, but have a strong impact on males. Alternatively for both female and male officers, work-life balance and stability at home appear to reduce physical strain.