bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a Single Sampling Scheme
Authors: Soundararajan V. , Devaraj Arumainayagam S.
Published: May 2006

Presents a compact table yielding the parameters of a single sampling scheme. The table is compatible with the structure of MIL‐STD‐105D and the switching procedure incorporated in this scheme is relatively simpler than that of MIL‐STD‐105D. The basis for the construction of the table is given. Methods are given for the selection of a scheme having either acceptable quality level, limiting quality level, indifference quality level or average outgoing quality limit as a function of lot size.
The Design of CSP‐2 under the Conditioned Inspection Capacity
Authors: Wang Reay‐Chen , Chen Chung‐Ho
Published: May 2006

Continuous Sampling Plans (CSP) are used where processes are continuous and products are not grouped into lots. The principal design criterion for these plans is the Average Outgoing Quality Limit (AOQL), which is the worst outgoing quality over all possible values of the incoming quality level. These are generally applicable to in‐process and final inspections and have been found to be most effective when administered in such a way as to provide an incentive to clear up the faults promptly. In applying the traditional continuous sampling plans, it is necessary to revert to 100 per cent inspection when the quality deteriorates. Therefore, the inspection rate must be larger than production rate and the unit inspection cost must be low. The plan presented in this article relaxes the 100 per cent inspection restriction while reaching the same AOQL quality assurance as traditional CSP‐1. The Markov chain process and numerical analysis will be used to formulate the plan. Its results are then evaluated against CSP‐2.
A Note on the Inspection Interval of a Machine
Authors: Chung Kun‐Jen
Published: May 2006

Suppose that a machine is subject to failures at random with constant probability of p per unit time, and that the only way of telling whether the machine has failed is to test it. Given the above assumptions, presents a simplified equation to determine how often a machine should be inspected.
Implementation of a Construction Industry Quality Assurance System
Authors: Tyler A.H. , Frost D.T.
Published: May 2006

Describes an applied research and development project at present being undertaken by the Department of Civil Engineering at Loughborough University to produce and implement a quality assurance system in a medium‐sized contracting organization. Details the methodology used, the actual work undertaken, the documentation produced, the implementation into the company and the initial affect on the Company. The scheme has operated for three‐and‐a‐half years and has six months to run.
On the Utilization of a Split Production System
Authors: Gopalan M.N. , Dinesh Kumar U.
Published: May 2006

Analyses a split production system which has a single station in the first stage followed by two parallel stations in the second stage, in connection with the efficiency of the system. Develops a mathematical model using semi‐regenerative processes to study the transient behaviour of the system. Obtains systems of convolution integral equations satisfied by various state probabilities and uses an iterative numerical technique to solve these systems of convolution integral equations to evaluate various measures of system performance.
An Evaluative Study of the Attitudinal and Performance‐related Outcomes of Quality Circle Participation
Authors: Hill Frances M.
Published: May 2006

Studies two Northern Ireland manufacturing companies, Shirtco and Carpetco, to generate some quantitative data concerning possible attitudinal and behavioural outcomes of quality circle (QC) participation. Attention focused on three variables: (1) the attitudes of QC participants and those of comparable non‐participants to the work situation; (2) the quantity and quality of output achieved by QC participants and by comparable non‐participants; and (3) the short‐term absence rates of QC participants and comparable non‐participants. An attempt also was made to measure participants′ attitudes to the QC programmes. The findings at Carpetco were not encouraging, as attitudes towards QC participation were ambivalent, and there was little statistically significant evidence of QC participation producing a positive influence on attitudes or on the quantity and quality of output. Nor was there any evidence of the QC programme having generated significant cost‐savings. However, QC participation may have reduced the tendency to take casual days off work. The situation at Shirtco was rather different, as in one of the three work sections studied, QC participation may have had a positive influence on attitudes, quantity of output and amount of time spent on productive work, but not on attendance. The position regarding the other two work sections studied at Shirtco was much more equivocal. There was no evidence of any significant cost‐savings having emanated from the QC programme at Shirtco. Concludes that unless a QC initiative is accompanied by other changes in the general work situation, it will almost certainly produce marginal benefits at best. Quality circles are probably used to best effect when they comprise part of a wider initiative such as total quality management (TQM). Perhaps it is as a means of helping to put aspects of TQM into effect that the real value of QCs will be demonstrated.
Comparative Perceptions of Product Quality Management
Authors: Batley T.W.
Published: May 2006

There has been an increasing drive to improve total quality management of manufactured products internationally in recent years. This has resulted in many improvements in the quality and management of quality in New Zealand firms. Research was carried out in New Zealand to compare the opinions of manufacturing company managers about product quality with general public opinions. Probes perceptions of recent changes in product quality and compares the quality of New Zealand made goods with the quality of those made overseas. Most managers and consumers agreed that the quality of New Zealand made goods is now better than most overseas made goods. Shows a great improvement in the public perception of New Zealand made goods in recent years. Managers are still much stronger than consumers in their belief in local made high quality, which may have resulted in some complacency regarding management of product quality.
Design for Quality in the Shipbuilding Industry
Authors: Lyu J. , Gunasekaran A.
Published: May 2006

There is a growing understanding that the quality of a product should be built in at the design phase. More and more reports have shown that this kind of approach, named design for quality, can benefit the company to make it much more competitive. In many Eastern countries such as Japan and Taiwan, such concepts have been used for a while. The so‐called product oriented design (POD) and quality function deployment (QFD) are widely used in many industries. This may be one of the main reasons why many Eastern countries have had a very high economic growth rate during the past two decades. For a coastal nation, the shipbuilding industry is essential for defence purposes. However, to run a shipyard efficiently is not an easy job due to several of its characteristics. They are: (1) the product (a ship) size is very large both in volume and weight and each product has thousands of different components; (2) the design, planning and manufacturing process overlap very significantly and the concept of “teamwork” is therefore greatly emphasized; and (3) the production process is very complex and complicated with very many interdependences. With these characteristics, the methods of “design for quality” and “design for manufacture” seem to be ideal tools for the shipbuilding industry to maintain product quality while raising the shipyard′s efficiency. Describes how a shipbuilding company in Taiwan can apply these positive concepts to improve its performance. Discusses several practical examples to illustrate these concepts.
Organizational Culture as a Missing Link in Quality Management
Authors: Pieter van Donk Dirk , Sanders Geert
Published: May 2006

Quality management ignores organizational culture to a great extent. Establishes the relationship between organizational culture and quality management and presents a method for measuring organizational culture, illustrating the relationship in a case study. Gives recommendations for using the presented findings in practical management.
Modelling Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Authors: Gilchrist Warren
Published: May 2006

Presents a critical review of the method of FMEA and in particular of the risk priority number (RPN) used for ranking failure modes. Though the method itself is of great use, the calculation of the RPN lacks a proper model as a base and is thus internally inconsistent and potentially misleading. Proposes an alternative procedure, based on a simple model and using expected costs as the basis for ranking failure modes.
Total Quality Management from Theory to Practice: A Case Study
Authors: Longenecker Clinton O. , Scazzero Joseph A.
Published: May 2006

Most quality professionals recommend a core set of attributes as the nucleus of any quality improvement process. These attributes include: (1) clarifying job expectations; (2) setting quality standards; (3) measuring quality improvement; (4) effective super‐vision; (5) listening by management; (6) feedback by management; and (7) effective training. Based on a survey of employees at a medium‐sized manufacturing firm in the United States, it was found that management philosophy and actions can undermine even a proven total quality management (TQM) programme. For the many firms which hire outside consultants to set up a TQM programme, makes recommendations to management to ensure its successful implementation.
Diagnostic Studies in the Copper‐coating Process: A Case Study
Authors: Reddy P.B.S. , Subash Babu A. , Gopalan M.N.
Published: May 2006

Reviews a real‐life investigation carried out on copper coating of CO⊂2 welding wire. The major quality problems were non‐uniformity in coating thickness and other associated problems. The factors identified as responsible are speed of drawing the wire, acid, ferrous and copper sulphate. Describes three stages of the study. The results obtained revealed a number of interesting facts about the process. The extent to which the copper coating is influenced by these factors independently and interactively was vividly brought out by factorial experiments, fractional factorial experiments and standard orthogonal arrays. These results show various intricate dynamics of interest to a process controller.
A Cost Model for Parameter Design
Authors: Day Jen‐der
Published: May 2006

Proposes a cost model for parameter design in quality engineering. In this model the total cost is minimized to obtain the best design. The total cost includes quality loss, cost for input characteristic, and cost for objective characteristic adjustment. Presents the best mean level of an input characteristic for the parameter design, which has a quadratic relationship between an input and an objective characteristic.
The Workforce‐oriented Incentive Potential of Quality Circles in the FRG
Authors: Deppe Joachim
Published: May 2006

Investigates the objectives of QCs in German companies from the point of view of the workforce as opposed to that of the management, i.e. the workforce‐oriented potential of QCs. Aims to identify a possible fit or misfit between the objectives of the management and those of the employees by analysing voluntary participation, the types of incentives and the potential incentive effects of various positions in the QC system. Concludes that acceptance by employees is of special importance; otherwise any QC system is bound to fail.
Variables Affecting Organizational Commitment
Authors: Bourantas Dimitris , Papalexandris Nancy
Published: May 2006

Presents findings of empirical research in Greek public,
quasi‐public, and private organizations. Results show that commitment of
managers decreases as we progress along a continuum from private towards
publicly‐owned organizations; managers report the existence of a gap
between the perceived and the desired organizational culture of their
firm, and this “culture gap” tends to increase as we move
from the private towards the public sector; organizational commitment
appears to be influenced negatively by the culture gap, therefore this
gap offers a plausible explanation for the lower commitment in public
sector firms.
Participative Management in a Developing Country
Authors: Ali M.R. , Khaleque A. , Hossain M.
Published: May 2006

Investigates the attitudes of managers, supervisors and workers to
participative management and identifies obstacles to implement it in
Bangladesh: 306 employees, 181 workers, 73 supervisors, and 52 managers,
from eight medium‐sized industrial plants were interviewed by using a
questionnaire. The results showed that workers expressed more positive
attitudes than managers and supervisors. Supervisors expressed more
favourable attitudes than managers. Managers expressed a lukewarm
support to participation. Both workers and supervisors perceived certain
organizational situations as barriers to participation. Managers did not
perceive these situations as barriers. The implication is that a
participative management system is likely to meet with resistance from
managers, while workers and supervisors will support it. It is therefore
suggested that training and educational interventional programmes should
be introduced to change the attitudes of managers.
JAPANESE MANAGERIAL PSYCHOLOGY: AN ANALYSIS OF CULTURAL AND
ORGANIZATIONAL FEATURES OF “TOTAL QUALITY CONTROL”
Authors: Goldman Alan
Published: May 2006

Advances the argument that Western management must increasingly
decode the organizational and cultural features of Japanese‐style
management – if managerial conflict is to be reduced in joint
ventures, subsidiaries, mergers, and relocations – and if Western
management is to consider alternatives to its current approaches to
quality production. Analyses total quality control (TQC) management as
representative of the successful approach to Japanese management. TQC,
built around culturally indigenous views of amal
(interdependency), muri (excess), muda (waste), and mura (unevenness), contrasts with partial quality measures utilized
in Western organizations. Key Japanese features are elimination and/or
restructuring of quality control departments and specialists,
designation of quality control to the production line, reduction of lot
size, utilization of “U‐shaped lines” and a
“just‐in‐time” modus operandi.
Helping Subordinates Grow
Authors: Smiley Tex
Published: May 2006

Explains the concept of schemata modification. People think with
mental representations – schemata – which are in constant
change. Stresses that people cannot be taught – they learn by
thinking and reasoning after facing disturbances to existing thought;
everyone has a learning schemata which is modified with each learning
schemata. The concept can be a useful addition to management knowledge
and converted into an important management skill. The more a manager
understands and appreciates the process, the greater the possibility for
making positive improvements in long‐term subordinate behaviour.
UNCONVENTIONAL PRACTICES AT WORK: INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS
THROUGH PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
Authors: Analoui Farhad , Kakabadse Andrew
Published: May 2006

Analyses the special difficulties encountered by an undercover
worker researching unconventional behaviour in the workplace. Posits
that the problems of such behaviour cannot be solved without accepting
that it is meaningful to the actors. Reports qualitative
participant‐observer research in the entertainments industry, in the
course of which 451 cases of unconventional practices were collected and
analysed with respect to: forms of behaviour, styles (modus operandi – covert and overt) and motives and meanings. Presents a
three‐dimensional model and offers recommendations in the form of
guidelines for management on how to deal with these practices
effectively.
Management Selection by Executive Recruitment Consultancies
Authors: Clark Timothy
Published: May 2006

Differs from previous studies of managerial selection methods.
Focuses wholly on the activities of external executive recruitment
consultancies. Results are presented from two major surveys on the use
of selection methods by such consultancies: in general they use low
validity techniques, primarily unstructured interviews and references.
Low validity selection methods may be used because validity is not the
primary “evaluative standard”. Suggests five alternative
“evaluative standards”.
Are You Really Listening?
Authors: Helms Marilyn M. , Haynes Paula J.
Published: May 2006

Draws attention to the importance of listening skills.
Approximately three fourths of the business day is spent engaged in some
form of communication. Effective listening is central to enhanced
communication but managers do not always listen because active listening
is not a natural process. It requires both mental and physical effort on
the part of the listener. Intra‐organizational listening can become a
powerful competitive tool. Suggestions for improving listening skills on
an organizational and an individual level are provided.
Applying Organizational Development Processes:
Authors: Marlowe Herbert A. , Hoffman William S. , Bordelon Steven
Published: May 2006

Examines how to successfully apply one theoretical model of
organizational development (OD) and organizational culture, the
cognitive model, through theoretically consistent, i.e. cognitive,
interventions to solve the organizational problem of downsizing. Reports
a case study on use of a variety of such interventions. Summarizes what
can be gained from such an approach. The cognitive model of OD as
schemata change found to be a viable and useful approach to
organizational downsizing.
A Survey of Auditing Education in the UK
Authors: Dunn John , Walters Diane
Published: May 2006

Attempts to determine the extent to which auditing is being taught
as part of accounting degrees and, where it is, to discover the nature
and content of the courses. A survey of university and polytechnic
lecturers shows there is little agreement about the nature and content
of an auditing class. Courses are dominated by external audit, perhaps
reflecting the professional backgrounds of those who teach them.
Lecturers feel that they are working in isolation and are keen to have a
forum at which to exchange ideas.
Orientation: A Strategic Opportunity for the Audit
Department
Authors: Guillot Peter , Schweiger Irmgard , Sumners Glenn E.
Published: May 2006

Explains the difference between orientation and training. Advances
a top‐down approach for assembling an orientation programme, offering
flexibility and allowing the new auditor to build a framework of
understanding about his/her work. There are four modules: Industry;
Company; Internal Auditing; and Audit Assignments. The need for
customized orientations arises. Building a successful programme entails
selecting the right timeframe and reviewing and optimizing the existing
programme; customized orientations may be needed. Orientation forms part
of the socialization process which deals with the transition to a new
job environment, and is a strategic opportunity to enhance employee
commitment and performance.
Forensic Accounting in the Curriculum
Authors: Rezaee Zabihollah , Lander Gerald H. , Gavin Thomas A.
Published: May 2006

Makes the case for inclusion of forensic accounting in the 150‐hour
accounting training role in the USA. Practitioner roles are as fraud
examiner, litigation consultant and expert witness for which need is
expanding and remuneration considerable and stable. Makes detailed
recommendations for integrating forensic skills training into the
curriculum.
GAO Audit Report Project for an Operational Auditing Course
Authors: Flesher Dale L.
Published: May 2006

Describes how audit reports issued by the General Accounting Office
(GAO) can be used to teach internal auditing students not only about
audit reports, but the wide subject‐matter examined by internal
auditors. Audit reports are available free from the GAO. Details how
students learn by comparing the GAO reports with the recommendations in
textbooks and journal articles.
Auditors and Materiality
Authors: Gin Chong H.
Published: May 2006

There are many definitions of materiality and such differences in
definition show that there is great concern about the applicability of
materiality in the auditing profession. Various materiality guidelines
have been recommended by both academic researchers and accounting
bodies, but the Auditing Practices Board in the UK has yet to recommend
a guideline of its own. Looks at the recommendations put forward by
those researchers and accounting bodies and the implications and
possible pros and cons of having structured guidelines by the auditing
profession in the UK. Concludes with a recommended materiality guideline
which the Auditing Practices Board should seriously consider and the
possibility of applying computer‐based decision aids as a tool to
improve efficiency and effectiveness of decision making by the auditors.
Evaluating Risk
Authors: Ratliff Richard , Hanks Steven
Published: May 2006

Auditors need to assess organizations′ risk‐taking behaviour in the
changing marketplace. Discusses strategic risk – with a specific
regard to the product market and its dangers to the organization without
the correct techniques. Looks at the two types of risk – action
and inaction risk – and goes on to clarify their importance to
firms. Examines various techniques and strategies to eliminate risk for
companies and these are listed and discussed. Concludes that there are
several implications for managerial auditors regarding risk‐bearing
strategies.
PC‐security Evaluation
Authors: Gollmann Dieter , Wichmann Peer
Published: May 2006

Reports on the evaluation of a set of commercial PC‐security
products. Argues how, and why, this analysis differs from the kind of
security evaluation described in the IT security evaluation criteria
published recently by some national security agencies. Draws on an
in‐depth examination down to the hardware level, based on the actual
executable code and covers even attack scenarios where the attacker can
manipulate the hardware of the PC. Summarizes the major findings,
pointing out some frequent design faults in PC‐security systems.
Can Perestroika Still be Reformed?
Authors: Tamedly Lenches Elisabeth
Published: May 2006

Current events in the Soviet Union cannot be understood without
comprehending the nature of Soviet communism. Begins with a description
of the system singlehandedly imposed on the Soviet Union by Lenin and
Stalin, focusing on the key elements of Marxist‐Leninist ideology and
the nomenklatura. Brings to light a seldom‐recognized
characteristic of communist governments, which is obscured by official
propaganda, that Marxism‐Leninism is firmly grounded on
“science”. It involves the rejection, by communist policy
makers, of any coherent intellectual framework which would guide and
also explain their actions. This, however, is not surprising, because
any theoretical blueprint would force these leaders to spell out the
precise goals they are pursuing, as well as the costs (to whom?) and the
benefits (also to whom?) of their actions. It would, additionally, make
the communist party accountable for its policies, a fact that
would represent an intolerable restriction of its practically unlimited power. Perestroika has not changed this situation.
The absence of a programme or of a priori guidelines allows Gorbachev to
declare his willingness to introduce market processes, while, at the
same time, emphasizing that all his reforms are made “in
accordance with the socialist choice”. A case study of the
recently legalized Soviet “co‐operative” sector confirms
this lack of commitment to unambiguous policies. The prerequisites for a
transition from a centrally planned to a market economy are therefore
developed by Western, not Soviet, experts. They invariably call for the
abandonment of the communist system and the demise of its beneficiary,
the nomenklatura. Gorbachev, who has risen to power as an
exponent of the “new class” (Milovan Djilas) is unwilling to
accept this trade‐off. He can therefore be expected to continue his
policy of vacillation, while his country′s economic, political, and
social problems remain unresolved.
Economics of the Golden Mean: A Preliminary Enquiry
Authors: Sun Li‐teh
Published: May 2006

The importance of the golden mean or moderation in daily human life
has been advocated almost universally by all the great teachers of the
world. In the sphere of economics, however, it seems to have been
largely ignored. Determines whether preliminary evidence can be found to
give some support to the golden mean in economics. Uses the data for the
50 states of the USA, and the preliminary finding indicates that
ideologically moderate (golden mean) states do seem to perform better
than conservative states. But liberal states fare still better. One
possible explanation for this is that liberal states in the USA are
really moderates in the ideological spectrum of the world.
Christian Dissent from the New Classical Economics
Authors: McKee Arnold
Published: May 2006

Argues that the new classical economics cannot be reconciled with
Christian economic principles, which in fact fit Keynesian analysis
better. General dissent turns on positive versus normative thought, the
holistic approach of Christian thought, and suppression of attention to
proper human participation in economic institutions and decisions.
Specific disagreements concern well‐known policy applications of the new
classical economics, notably inflation and money supply rules, and
presumptions of clearing markets, especially that for labour. The
Keynesian tradition does have room for normative values and supposes
imperfect product and labour markets.
Foreign Workers and the Provision of Public Services: The Case of Kuwait
Authors: Looney Robert E.
Published: May 2006

Seeks to provide some insight as to the scope for population policy
in post‐war Kuwait, where officially the Government is committed to
reducing the expatriate population. Specifically attempts to determine
which public services were most likely to be responsive to increases in
the foreign population. Were these services provided to both Arab and
Asian workers alike or were the patterns of supply somewhat different by
nationality? Did public services adjust quickly to increases in the
foreign population or were the increased provisions spread out gradually
over time? Mainly finds that, despite the early post‐liberation
statements of Kuwaiti officials, it will not be possible to dispense
entirely with foreign workers. There is a good chance, however, that the
Government′s political policy of replacing Palestinian workers with
those from Asia will provide the unintended benefit of considerable
budgetary savings.
Business Cycle Analysis in Talmudic Literature
Authors: Ohrenstein Roman A.
Published: May 2006

Seeks to demonstrate that the Talmudic scholars possessed
theoretical knowledge and practical experience regarding the market
phenomenon of business disturbances, recognizing the existence of a
causal relationship between the physical determinants of the cycles of
the weather patterns and the fortunes of the agricultural sector, a
condition which affected the economy as a whole. Discusses this linkage
with respect to the insights in Johanan′s works. These come close to
Hawtrey′s view of the business cycle as a monetary phenomenon, on the
one hand, and Samuelson′s discussion of “supply shock” as a
result of “...droughts and crop failures in agriculture”, on
the other. Johanan also recognized the existence of a quantitativerelationship between money and prices, and prices and incomes. This
suggests that the Talmudic scholars had come to appreciate the
fundamentals of what was later to emerge as the quantity theory of
money.
The Samaritan's Dilemma: Public Choice versus Private Right
Authors: McNutt Patrick A.
Published: May 2006

Addresses the characteristics of an ideal society. In particular a fair decision is defined as the indexed subset of liberty, justice and rights: if a decision is right, then it is fair, and, if it is fair, the decision is just. This line of reasoning is arrived at by introducing the new concepts of ethical asymmetry, altruism, dual disadvantage, preference criteria, moral complements and pairwise rights. Respect for individual rights is an important characteristic of the reasoning presented. The Samaritan regards the individual′s right as a claim right, justified by reference to a moral theory or to law. The Samaritan′s dilemma arises when, in resolving an individual right issue, cognizance must be taken of the public preference on the issue. The resolution of the issue can be attained with the presence of altruistic individuals.
Conflict Resolution and Social Consensus Formation in Islamic Social Choice and Welfare Menu
Authors: Alam Choudhury Masudul
Published: May 2006

Discusses social choice formation in the Islamic institutional
framework. This involves the technical formalization of the institutions
of consultative decision making and knowledge formation in these
institutions: processes which are respectively called the Shura
and Ijtehad. Knowledge generated in the form of decision rules
is transmitted to the socio‐economic order in accordance with the tenets
of Shariah. Herein, knowledge‐function is shown to undergo an
interactive and discursive form of revision, changes or affirmation.
Shows that knowledge‐function interactions formulate the Shuratic process, an essential characteristic of which is treatment of
ethics and morals relating to specific issues at hand in the midst of
the polity‐market interactions. Examines mathematically several
stability and equilibrium conditions of the social welfare function
established on the basis of the Shuraticprocess. The problem of
social consensus formation against social conflict resolution is taken
up in the same interactive social choice model.
Elements of Buddhist Economics
Authors: Alexandrin Glen
Published: May 2006

Political and social economists are interested in understanding a
connection between Buddhism and economics. The link can be found in
Buddhist ethics; the resulting economics is both scientific, in the
modern American sense, and normative. Buddhist economics may be regarded
as syncretic and its principles may have universal application.
Should Formerly Socialist Economies Attempt to Leapfrog Classical Capitalism?
Authors: Wisman Jon D.
Published: May 2006

Formerly socialist economies of Eastern Europe have been advised by
the West to adopt the property rights of classical capitalism. Yet the
Western economies from which this advice emanates are all struggling to
overcome productivity stagnation, resulting from the tensions between
the interests of capital and labour. Experiments range from quality
circles to far fuller worker participation in decision making and
ownership. However, these experiments are coming forth slowly and
timidly. Once in place, property rights are exceedingly difficult to
alter. Thus those property rights chosen within East European economies
over the next several years may be those which define these economies
for the foreseeable future. Consequently, it would be an ironic and
tragic twist of fact if East European economies were to turn now towards
classical capitalism only to find that the future belongs to
post‐capitalist forms of productive organization.
Centesimus Annus: Towards a New Capitalism?
Authors: Tamedly Lenches Elisabeth
Published: May 2006

The encyclical Centesimus Annus was published by Pope John
Paul II in commemoration of Rerum Novarum, written 100 years ago
by Leo XIII. That encyclical initiated a century of Catholic social
teaching consisting, by now, of six encyclicals. Together, they are
intended to represent a unified system of thought, the Church′s social
vision. Its basic themes all centre on the God‐ordained dignity of man.
The Pope calls for a modified, “corrected” capitalism, a
“Society of free work, of enterprise and of participation”.
The economic activities of man are to be reoriented towards the common
good, with the ultimate goal of eradicating poverty, exploitation, and
alienation. Rejects the economic proposals of the Pope as lacking of
substance and internal consistency. Its assumption that man can enjoy
all the advantages of free markets while also correcting for their
less‐desirable effects at will reveals that, despite some modifications,
Catholic social thought is still inspired by what has been termed the
“unconstrained” vision.
A Framework of Alternative Economics
Authors: Zsolnai Laszlo
Published: May 2006

Focuses on the basic concepts and principles of alternative
economics; a new doctrine of economic thought centred around human
communities and their natural environments. The ideas of Karl Polanyi,
Ernst F. Schumacher, and Herman E. Daly are presented as the most
important antecedents. Considering the economy as multiple interplay
among natural ecosystems, economic organizations and human communities,
alternative economics tries to find ways in which economies could have
been made more ecologically benign and humane. Demonstrates the
practical relevance of alternative economics to two fields: first, the
responsibility problematics of economizing and, second, the question of
how to form economic policies which serve real development.
Exploring Conflict Resolution Styles: A Study of Turkish and American University Business Students
Authors: Lee Agee Marcia , Kabasakal Hayat E.
Published: May 2006

Examines the differences between the actions that Turkish and
American students would take when they were confronted with conflict.
Students received two cases describing an organizational setting. They
were asked to place themselves in the situation of a member in conflict
with a peer in the work environment. Cases were content‐analysed by the
researchers. Indicates that the nature of the conflict situation is
important in examining conflict resolution styles across cultures.
A “Physiocratic” Approach to Sustainability
Authors: Krabbe Jacob J.
Published: May 2006

After looking at the physiocratic idea of production, examines the
social process of “environmental economic engineering”,
focused on sustainability of production. Gives attention to the role of
technology in this process. Expresses sustainability criteria in the
magnitudes time preference, depletion of natural stocks, population
growth, and technical progress. It appears that technical progress must
offset the other magnitudes mentioned.
Internationalization of Production and Capitalism's Dilemma
Authors: Maitra Priyatosh
Published: May 2006

To be competitive, capitalism must lower the cost of production by
lower wage costs, lower inflation, lower interest rates, and lower
taxes. The welfare state has become the greatest hindrance because it
supports costly wage rates even in a recession with high unemployment.
The consequences of a weak welfare state, however, are rising
unemployment, poverty and crime. But an internationally‐oriented economy
does not need to depend on local demand, much of which is created by
full employment. One solution is for the unemployed to become
self‐employed. Capitalism, over the years, has achieved an unlimited
capacity to produce, improve and diversify output at a declining cost
per unit of output, but paradoxically has created an increasing problem
in marketing its ever‐expanding output. Attempts to explain this.
Internal Contradictions versus External Pressures in the Transformation of the Former Soviet Economy
Authors: Vcherashnaya Rosser Marina
Published: May 2006

Argues that the collapse of socialism in the former Soviet Union as
well as the collapse of that state resulted from a complex interaction
of both internal and external factors. Internally the systemic
transformation is significantly impeded by the hysteretic memory of the
old system and its functioning. External pressures influence the pace
and the scope of this transformation, conditioning Western assistance to
the reform process by the demands for rapid convergence to the path of
the resolute marketization. The evolution of the internal and external
circumstances has brought about the current crisis in the former Soviet
Union and raised the critical question of tactical and strategic goals.
The Socio‐economic Order and Forensic Economics
Authors: Tinari Frank D.
Published: May 2006

With the expanded use of forensic economists by the legal system
has come a heightened awareness within the profession of potential and
actual unethical behaviour by its members. Examines the arguments
explaining unethical behaviour in detail and shows that their
descriptive and empirical foundations have been excessively narrow. The
market does not consist solely of trial testimony, as the literature
would lead one to believe, but in the entire array of uses of forensic
economists, especially in writing reports of economic damages. Asserts
that the ethical conduct of most forensic economists appears to be
unimpeachable. Moreover, there are strong competitive pressures in the
market to obtain countervailing opinions which, ultimately, serve to
minimize incompetence and unethical behaviour on the part of forensic
economists. Recommendations to improve the market further include the
provision of additional information about the quality of forensic
economists′ work, and promotion of a code of ethics for the profession.
Concludes with a proposal that might be considered if ethical conduct
among forensic economists were to take a turn for the worse: creation of
an expert registry that would assign economists to a case, without the
economist knowing which side employed him.
Towards a Houston Protocol
Authors: Simonis Udo E.
Published: May 2006

The inherent linkages between climate and the habitability of the
Earth are increasingly well recognized, and a convention could help to
ensure that conserving the environment and developing the economy in the
future must go hand in hand. Due to growing environmental concern, the
United Nations General Assembly has set into motion an international
negotiating process for a framework convention on climate change. One of
the specific tasks in these negotiations is how to share the duties in
reducing climate relevant gases, particularly carbon dioxide, between
the industrial and the developing countries. The respective proposals
could be among the most far‐reaching ever for socio‐economic
development, indeed for global security and survival itself. While the
negotiations will be about climate and protection of the atmosphere,
they could lead to fundamental changes in energy, forestry, transport
and technology policies, and to future development pathways with low
greenhouse gas emissions. Addresses some of these aspects of a climate
convention and a respective CO⊂2‐agreement, the Houston Protocol.
An Inquiry into the Relationship between Economic Freedom and Economic Justice Economic Freedom and Economic Justice
Authors: Hill Lewis E. , Jonish James E.
Published: May 2006

Makes the distinction between negative freedom or liberty, which means the absence of constraint and compulsion, and positive freedom, which always implies the power to make one′s will effective to gain access to a chosen alternative. Argues that positive freedom can be used either creatively or destructively. The creative use of positive freedom enhances and improves the economic freedom and economic justice that accrues to other people. The destructive use of positive freedom damages and diminishes the economic freedom and economic justice of others. It follows that the government should intervene in the political and social economy to encourage and to facilitate the creative use and to discourage or prohibit the destructive use of positive freedom.
A New View of the Economic Ability of the Government, Egalitarian Goods and GNP
Authors: Papava Vladimer
Published: May 2006

As is recognized, indirect business taxes are the unearned income
of the Government. Shows that the fifth factor of production is the
economic ability of Government; indirect taxes on business are
corresponding factorial income, which is transferred into Government
profit. Shows also that transfer payments create special social goods
– egalitarian goods, defined as social tranquillity, reached by
overcoming poverty and by income inequality reduction. Creating one of
the kind of social goods, transfer payments assume a productive
character. The new view on indices taxes on business and transfer
payments makes it obligatory to include them in GNP and NI in a new way,
which is shown in the macroeconomic indices of the USA.
Christian Values and Economic Ethics
Authors: Scaperlanda Anthony
Published: May 2006

Addresses the question: “Are Christian values reflected in
contemporary American economic ethics?” Compares the ethics
dictated by neoclassical production theory with the Christian production
values found in Pope John Paul II′s encyclical, Laborem Exercens
. The encyclical rejects the notion that output is the primary goal of
production. The implication is that neoclassical production theory is
necessary, but not sufficient. Public policy in the United States has
long been based on neoclassical production theory. In the last decade,
the downsizing and restructuring of production has heightened emphasis
on neoclassical production efficiencies. During this period, prevailing
economic ethics were largely in conflict with Christian values. The
fledgling policy initiatives of the Clinton administration suggest a
commitment to reshape policy in ways which more positively incorporate a
number of the reforms suggested by Laborem Exercens. If a new
economic (production) ethic evolves out of these commitments, the
compatibility between economic ethics and Christian values will be
greater a decade from now.
Inequality in the Distribution of Incomes
Authors: Kohlmaier Gundolf H. , Lüdeke Matthias K.B.
Published: May 2006

Points out that differences in the background of the working
population, are often made responsible for the observed inequality of
income distribution. Explores whether the observed distribution in
incomes in countries such as the Federal Republic of Germany (West and
East), Great Britain, Sweden, the United States and Brazil could not be
the result of a statistical distribution process in which households
participate. Recalls the early work in statistical thermodynamics by
Boltzmann and Maxwell, who studied the distribution of energy among an
ensemble of identical molecules, and which showed that not all molecules
hold the same energy, but rather that the distribution has an
exponential fall‐off character, with most molecules being in the lower
energy bracket. Adapts the Maxwell‐Boltzmann distribution to incomes,
and transforms these distributions into well‐known Lorenz graphs, and
obtains a perfect match for each examined country. Suggests that, as the
distributions can be directly related to their corresponding statistical
weights, and as their logarithms are proportional to entropy in
statistical thermodynamics, it could be shown that the unequal income
distribution has a higher entropy, and therefore is more stable than the
corresponding low entropy distribution resulting from Boulding′s
principle of equal advantage where all households earn the same income.
Supposes that neither of the two extreme stand‐points to explain the
inequality of incomes can lead to a totally satisfactory explanation.
Proposes that evolutionary strategies may be an interesting lead to
follow up in more detail.
Friends or Strangers? Examining the Theoretical and Empirical Evidence on Immigration
Authors: Mixon Franklin G.
Published: May 2006

In 1990, the federal government of the United States passed a bill
to allow an increase in legal immigration by 1.2 million until 1994.
Many questions concerning immigration have been detailed in the
economics literature. They concern the effects of immigration on the
earnings of the native born, immigration as a form of worker‐sorting,
and the allocation schemes concerning the immigration of skilled and
non‐skilled workers. Examines the theoretical and empirical answers to
these questions. Points out that an examination of immigrant earnings
over time often depends on the type of model selected, cohort or
cross‐sectional analysis. Also, many immigrants seek a political and
economic environment that promotes self‐employment as a form of
worker‐sorting. Also of interest, theoretical debate is provided on the
nature of immigration, being either political or economic. The debate over immigration has many policy implications for the
1990s, because of the first changes in immigration restrictions since
Simpson‐Rodino of 1965.
Co‐operation: The Proper Study of Economics
Authors: McCain Roger A.
Published: May 2006

Argues for a reorientation of economic theory around the concept of
co‐operative production. Suggests that by definition, co‐operative
production exists when different people take different, complementary
roles in production. Argues that, while the proposed reorientation has
clear roots in the ideas of Adam Smith, it also synthesizes several
other key insights of the classical economists, and at the same time
leads, by implication, both to the major topics of neoclassical
economics and to some important topics of modern applied economics that
are often treated in an ad hoc fashion, such as economies of
agglomeration, dualism in development and X‐inefficiency.
The Economics of Church Decline in Scotland
Authors: Smith Ian
Published: May 2006

Examines the dramatic post‐war slide of church membership in
Scotland from a socio‐economic perspective. Analysis of membership
inflows and outflows reveals that the decline in the stock of church
members is accounted for in terms of the ebbing of the former. Describes
and tests eclectic theoretical hypotheses, invoked to explain this
observation, using simple aggregate annual time‐series data. Draws
conclusions with respect to the significant economic and social factors
which determine church attendance in Scotland. Anticipates increasing
disinvolvement in Scottish institutional religion.
Sir Richard Arkwright: Premier Crook in the Industrial Revolution
Authors: Wellington Donald C.
Published: May 2006

Remarks on the parallel in the basis of the riches of the
aristocracy and plutocracy. Illustrates the argument from the history of
the development of the cotton textile industry, the underpinnings for
its growth being the inventions prior to and during the eighteenth
century. Exemplifies the part of inventions as the begetter of
plutocratic wealth. Sir Richard Arkwright, notably, was its salacious
issue.
Remodelling the Moral Order in The Netherlands
Authors: Gowricharn Ruben
Published: May 2006

Deals with the relationship between economic recession and moral
change. Taking the case of The Netherlands, argues that the recession
resulted in an increase of the expenditure for social security and at
the same time diminished tax income. In the attempt to reduce the budget
deficit, relations of social solidarity, which constitute the moral
order, had to be restructured as well. This operation has not been
performed by power conflict between government and claimants or workers
as happened, for example, in Britain during the Thatcher government. The
major instrument in bringing down the budget deficit was the eroding of
the legitimacy of the claims of the socially weak segments of society.
This requires the manipulation of public morality and only the
successful manipulation enables the cuts which the government wishes to
make.
The Measurement of Multidimensional Development: Comments on Commonly Accepted Indicators
Authors: Bacquelaine Myriam
Published: May 2006

Argues that, notwithstanding the wide acceptance of the
multidimensional character of the development process, one has to
consider the many theoretical problems that this recognition has
generated. Determining criteria and measurements for development are
very likely among the more intricate issues to be dealt with. Given the
underlying value judgements which influence the choice of criteria, this
is particularly true for the social dimension of development, especially
when the approach to development is persistently pervaded by economics.