bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are There Badlands Ahead for Higher Education?
Authors: Pence Harry E.
Published: April 2009

Several publications, including Navigating the Badlands a book by Mary O'Hara-Devereux as well as a report by the National Research Council, suggest troubled times are ahead for society and possibly higher education. The latter report says that, “The impact of information technology on the university will likely be profound, rapid, and discontinuous,” and predicts that “the evolutionary pace of information technology will not only continue for the foreseeable future but could well accelerate on a superexponential slope.” This article will examine some of the evidence that suggests there are badlands ahead for higher education.
Custodial Grandparenting: Perceptions of Loss by Non-Custodial Grandparent Peers
Authors: Hayslip Bert , Glover Rebecca J.
Published: April 2009

In order to explore the generalizability of perceptions of the losses experienced by grandparents raising their grandchildren, 610 traditional/non-custodial grandparents, who had no custodial responsibility for their grandchildren, read a randomly assigned scenario depicting a grandmother and her grandchild, wherein scenarios varied in terms of grandchild gender, the presence or absence of grandchild problems, and the reason for role assumption. They then completed the Perceptions of Loss (PLS) scale, where higher scores indexed greater awareness of loss. Results suggested that perceptions of loss varied by grandchild gender (favoring females), grandchild problem (favoring those with problems), and the reason for role assumption (favoring parental abandonment and parental drug abuse). Moreover, PLS scores were influenced by the interaction between grandchild gender and reason for role assumption, where the impact of role assumption was greater for female grandchildren than for male grandchildren. These findings in part parallel those obtained from young adults, and generally suggest that others in varying degrees are sensitive to the losses grandparents raising their grandchild experience. Such findings have implications regarding the extent to which grandparent caregivers' grief is disenfranchised, as well as impacting custodial grandparents' feelings of loneliness and isolation from age peers brought about by the necessity to raise their grandchildren.
Lessons from the Dead: The Experiences of Undergraduates Working with Cadavers
Authors: Robbins Brent Dean , Tomaka Ashley , Innus Cara , Patterson Joel , Styn Gary
Published: April 2009

Dissection of a human cadaver is a time-honored tradition for teaching anatomy in medical education. However, in recent years, for a variety of reasons, including costs and ethical concerns, some medical programs have ceased cadaver dissection in exchange for virtual dissection of cadavers in cyberspace. Past research suggests that students find work on a cadaver to be distressing, but also rewarding. This study analyzed journal entries from 21 undergraduate students working with a cadaver in a gross anatomy course. An empirical, phenomenological analysis of the data identified 19 common themes among the participant's journal entries. In addition, the analysis disclosed how participants usually felt a need to justify the act of dissection. Finally, the analysis identified how students differed in the varied ways they coped with the ambiguous status of the cadaver, which was sometimes viewed as a deceased person while at other times experienced as a fascinating machine. Based on the findings, the researchers offer recommendations for helping students to better cope with the experience of cadaver dissection and to use the experience pedagogically to better prepare students for the stress of the medical world, especially issues surrounding death and dying.
Spirituality during Alcoholism Treatment and Continuous Abstinence for One Year
Authors: Piderman Katherine M. , Schneekloth Terry D. , Pankratz V. Shane , Stevens Susanna R. , Altchuler Steven I.
Published: April 2009

Objective:

The primary aim of this prospective study was to examine the role of several aspects of spirituality in maintaining abstinence from alcohol for one year in persons treated for alcohol dependence. The roles of alcohol abstinence self-efficacy and Alcoholics Anonymous affiliation were also examined.

Method:

Seventy-four adults with alcohol dependence who had completed a three-week outpatient addiction program participated in this study. Instruments used included the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Duke Religion Index, Brief Religious Coping Scale, Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale, and Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale. Abstinence data was collected from participants and collaterals three, six, and twelve months after treatment discharge. Demographics, discharge measures, and the change in scores from admission to discharge were compared between those with and without 12-month alcohol abstinence using logistic regression or Fisher's exact tests.

Results:

Twenty-eight participants were categorized as continuously abstinent for one year. The strongest associations between 12 month abstinence and the variables of interest were discharge scores of abstinence self-efficacy and existential well-being, and increases during treatment in scores of private spiritual practices. Increased age demonstrated a significant association with positive outcome.

Conclusion:

The associations of private spiritual practices, existential well-being, and abstinence self-efficacy with one year of continuous abstinence following treatment discharge suggest the importance of addressing issues related to these variables during alcoholism treatment. More research is needed to understand the role of these variables in promoting and maintaining abstinence and to determine whether or not a related intervention would improve abstinence rates.
Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Adolescents after Two Murders in a School: A Controlled Follow-up Study
Authors: Karabekiroglu Koray , Akbas Seher , Tasdemir Gokce Nur , Karakurt Melih Nuri
Published: April 2009

Objectives:

Two students were murdered by gunshot by another student. Among the classmates and the students in another school, we aimed to investigate the factors on the fifth day of trauma to be predictive of higher post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) scores five months later.

Methods:

The adolescents attending the school (School A: acute phase n:41; second phase n:57; follow-up group n:35) where the event had occurred, and the adolescents attending a school (School B: acute phase n:98; second phase n:57) of similar statue were included. They had completed “Trauma Questionnaire” (TQ), “Childhood Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index” (CPTSD-RI), “Beck Depression Inventory” (BDI), and “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory” (STAI) both 5 days and 5 months after the event.

Results:

Both 5 days and 5 months after the trauma, students in school A, and the girls in both schools had significantly higher CPTSD-RI scores. Nine students (25.7%) in the follow-up group were found to have CPTSD-RI scores higher than 39, indicating severe PTSD symptoms. The CPTSD-RI scores of this group 5 months after the trauma were significantly correlated with the several scores of the acute term (CPTSD-RI [ r: .76, p < .001]; BDI [ r: .56, p: .001]; STAI-state [ r:. 49, p: .004]).

Conclusion:

Results reveal that a murder of a peer triggers post-traumatic stress symptoms in a vast majority of the 16-year-old adolescents even without directly witnessing the event. The severity of PTSS significantly increases as the adolescent is in closer relationship with the victim. The concomitant depression and/or anxiety with acute stress symptoms 5 days after the trauma, female gender, and worse school performance were found to be significantly related to the development of more severe PTSS 5 months later.
A Descriptive Study of a Unique Multi-Ethnic Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service in Honolulu, Hawaii
Authors: Muramatsu Russ S. , Goebert Deborah , Sweeny Henry W. , Takeshita Junji
Published: April 2009

Objective:

To provide a descriptive characterization of the CL Psychiatry service at a major medical center in Honolulu, Hawaii. We hypothesized differing demographic trends than seen nationally and internationally, an increasing prevalence of elderly and substance abusing patients, and increasing consultation requests related to these issues.

Methods:

Retrospective data was gathered from 180 randomly selected patient records, identified as having a request for inpatient psychiatric consultation on the medical-surgical floors during identical 3-month periods in 2000 and 2005. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square and ANOVA were used to compare differences across time.

Results:

There were no significant differences by age, reason for referral, or diagnoses between the 2 years. Patients age 65 years and older accounted for only 16.6% of the consults. Caucasians accounted for 45.6% of consultations despite low prevalence rates in the population. Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (15%), Japanese (12.5%), Filipino (5.6%), and other Asians (10.6%) accounted for the majority of remaining patients. Depression/anxiety (27.4%), alcohol/drugs (21.8%), and agitation/ psychosis (20.5%) were the most frequent reasons for consultation. Substance use (32.5%), mood (16%), and cognitive (14.1%) disorders were the top diagnoses.

Conclusions:

As expected, the patient demographic data reflects a unique patient population served by the QMC CL service. Much of the consultation process, diagnoses, and treatment, however, are in line with our Mainland counterparts. There were no major differences in trends over time.
Relationship between Attachment Style, Parental Bonding and Alexithymia in Adults with Somatoform Disorders
Authors: Gil Francisco Pedrosa , Scheidt Carl Eduard , Hoeger Diether , Nickel Marius
Published: April 2009

Background:

This study examines the relationship between parental bonding, adult attachment, and alexithymia in patients with Somatoform Disorders (SFD). There are few empirical studies to support the clinical hypothesis that alexithymia may be due to disturbances in the early parent-child relationship.

Sampling and Methods:

In a cross-sectional study, data from 76 patients with SFD were obtained, consisting of questionnaire measures of alexithymia (TAS scale), attachment style (BFKE), and also the German version of the MOPS (Measure of Parental Style), the FDEB scale for measuring perceived parental attitude.

Results:

A higher than average prevalence of insecure attachment (n = 67, 88.2%) was found in our sample with SFD and a T-value of 54.3 (9.5) in the TAS total score, 22% reaching clinically significant alexithymia. Regression analyses demonstrated the relationship between the “ambivalent clinging” and “ambivalent withdrawing” attachment style and more marked alexithymia features. Furthermore, alexithymia was positively predicted by “indifference” in the relationship to the father, BDI, and Global severity index (SCL-90-R).

Conclusion:

The results of this study support the hypothesis that alexithymia is associated with perceived parental bonding and attachment style.
The Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among Arab Women in a Primary Health Care Setting
Authors: Hamdan Aisha , Hawamdeh Sana , Hussein Amal
Published: April 2009

Background:

Depression is one of most common mental illnesses in the world, with a high prevalence in primary health care settings. Some research has been conducted in the Arab region, but this research has been limited. This study investigated the prevalence of depression in a primary health care setting in the United Arab Emirates as well as possible socio-demographic and stressful life event correlates of depression.

Methods:

Arabic versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a Stressful Life Events Inventory, and socio-demographic form were used for the study. Data were collected from 224 Arab women, aged 18 and above, in the primary health care centers of Sharjah, using a convenience sampling method.

Results:

Approximately 33% of women were found to be either moderately (14.7%) or severely (18%) depressed. The following socio-demographic variables were found to be correlated with scores on the BDI ( p < .05): marital status (being single, widowed or divorced), working status (working full- or part-time), and family income (lower family income). The number of stressful life events that a woman had experienced in the past year was also correlated with depression.

Conclusions:

Depressive symptoms are common in women attending primary health care centers in the Emirate of Sharjah. Stressful life events, in particular, are related to the level of depressive symptoms experienced by these women. It will be important to consider the social, psychological, and economic variables that impact emotional health in the region. This research is considered to be an initial step in developing prevention and intervention programs to address the mental health needs of Arab women.
The Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Medically Self-Sabotaging Behaviors among Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Sansone Randy A. , Wiederman Michael W. , McLean Jamie S.
Published: April 2009

Objective:

This study was designed to explore the relationship between five forms of childhood trauma and medically self-sabotaging behaviors (i.e., the intentional induction, exaggeration, and/or exacerbation of medical symptoms).

Method:

Using a cross-sectional sample of convenience, 120 psychiatric inpatients were surveyed about childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuses, the witnessing of violence, and physical neglect, as well as 19 medically self-sabotaging behaviors (i.e., intentional behaviors that represent attempts to sabotage medical care).

Results:

As expected, in this sample there were high prevalence rates of trauma (62.5% emotional abuse, 58.3% witnessing of violence, 46.7% physical abuse, 37.5% sexual abuse, 28.3% physical neglect). Simple correlations demonstrated statistically significant relationships between sexual abuse and physical neglect and medically self-sabotaging behaviors. Using multiple regression analysis, only physical neglect remained a unique predictor of medically self-sabotaging behaviors.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that among psychiatric inpatients there appears to be a relationship between physical neglect in childhood and the generation of medically self-sabotaging behaviors in adulthood. Perhaps physical neglect in childhood contributes to the generation of somatic behaviors in adulthood for the purpose of eliciting caring responses from others.
Buddhist Values are Associated with Better Diabetes Control in Thai Patients
Authors: Sowattanangoon Napaporn , Kochabhakdi Naipinich , Petrie Keith J.
Published: April 2009

Objectives:

To examine the associations of Buddhist values with medication and dietary self-care, healthcare use, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level among Thai patients with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Method:

A total of 173 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were surveyed at two public hospitals in Bangkok. While waiting for doctors' appointments, the patients completed a questionnaire measuring Buddhist values and dietary and medication self-care activities. Doctor visits and HbA1c were taken from patient medical records.

Results:

Higher scores for Buddhist values were significantly correlated with better medication self-care ( r = .25, p = .001), better dietary self-care ( r =.21, p = .007), and more doctor visits in the previous 12 months ( r = .34, p = .0001). In a hierarchical regression analysis, stronger Buddhist values were significantly associated with a lower HbA1c, even after controlling for socio-demographic and dietary self-care ( R2 change = .03, F(1, 161) = 6.00, p = .015).

Conclusions:

Buddhist values may promote diabetes self-care among Thai patients. Further research is needed to evaluate the relationship of Buddhist values to diabetes-specific health behaviors and neuroendocrine outcomes.
Public recognition of major works in psychology: Rise and fall over time
Authors: Standing Lionel G.
Published: April 2009

In 2 data sets, citations of the major articles and books in cognitive psychology were found to rise to a peak at 5-8 years following publication. After this period of time, there is a gradual disappearance over the following years. The peaking effect was found to be greater for the
more prominent works.
Personality, intelligence, and longevity: A cross-cultural perspective
Authors: Eysenck William
Published: April 2009

Cross-cultural information about national IQ, national personality, and longevity was obtained. Longevity was positively associated with neuroticism and national IQ and negatively associated with conscientiousness and agreeableness. The negative effects were mediated by income inequality:
low conscientiousness and agreeableness were associated with high income inequality (strongly associated with poor longevity). The effect of national IQ on longevity remained strong when GDP percapita, income inequality, and individualism were partialed out. This effect probably occurs in
part because countries with high national IQ have higher literacy rates and higher levels of health literacy.
Depressive symptom profile of Turkish students experiencing back pain
Authors: Unalan Demet , Celikten Mustafa , Mazicioğlu Mumtaz
Published: April 2009

The aim in this study was to determine the relationship between depressive symptom frequency and back pain in students. Analysis was made of 250 vocational college students. The Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI; Zung, 1965), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; Price, McGrath, Rafii, & Buckingham,
1983) and the Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale (Ruta, Garratt, Wardlaw, & Russell, 1994) were used to determine depressive symptoms and back pain. The probability of depression scores of 50 or more was 1.8 times greater for those who were not interested in any sports than for those interested
in amateur sports. There was a positive correlation between severity of the pain, general pain, neck pain, back pain, low back or upper back pain, low back pain, and the ZDI scores of the students. Negative correlations were found between age, BMI and ZDI scores.
The relationships among coping styles, personality traits and mental health of Chinese medical students
Authors: Wang Weiling , Miao Danmin
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among coping styles, personality traits, and mental health in medical students at Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine. 276 participants were administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ; Eysenck & Eysenck,
1975; Chinese version, Gong, 1986), Coping Style Questionnaire (as adapted by Xiao, 1996), and the Symptoms Checklist-90 (Derogatis, 1975; Chinese version, Chen, 1999). The students displayed a wide range of coping skills including problem solving, help seeking, and fantasizing. Male students'
coping styles were slightly different from those of female students and some relationships were found among coping style, personality, and level of emotional health. Coping styles and the EPQ were closely correlated with psychological health. The analysis of multiple regression showed neuroticism,
paranoid ideation, and rationalization, father's education level, fantasizing and academic stress were influencing factors in the psychological/emotional health of the respondents.
Cultural influences on moral reasoning capacities of purchasing managers: A comparison across the Taiwan Strait
Authors: Lin Chieh-Yu , Ho Yi-Hui
Published: April 2009

The authors utilized the Defining Issues Test (Rest, 1979) to analyze the moral reasoning capacities of purchasing managers in Taiwan and mainland China. The findings revealed that the respondents all focused more on the conventional level than on the postconventional level of moral
development as both of these areas are influenced by Chinese culture. The moral reasoning capacities of Taiwanese purchasing managers were found to be different to some extent from those of their Chinese counterparts.
Linking the Big Five personality constructs to organizational justice
Authors: Shi Junqi , Lin Han , Wang Lei , Wang Mo
Published: April 2009

Although extensive research has been conducted to investigate various factors related to organizational justice, few studies have examined the link between personality traits and organizational justice. Using a field sample, we explored the relationships between the five-factor model
of personality and organizational justice. Results indicated that agreeableness and neuroticism were important correlates of organizational justice. Specifically, agreeableness was found to be positively related to all four organizational justice components proposed by Colquitt (2001). Neuroticism
was found to be negatively related to procedural justice and informational justice. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.
Validation of the Physical Education Teachers' Physical Activity Self-efficacy Scale with a Turkish Sample
Authors: Gencay Okkes Alpaslan
Published: April 2009

The main purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Physical Education Teachers' Physical Activity Self-efficacy Scale (PETPAS), developed by Martin and Kulinna (2003), in a Turkish setting, and to test if there are any differences according to gender
and teaching experience of Turkish PE teachers. The Turkish version of the PETPAS was administered to 227 physical educators from 3 cities in Turkey. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the scale consists of 4 dimensions, as does the original. Cronbach's alpha was .86, and both the Equal-Length
Spearman Brown split-half coefficient (r = .72) and Guttman's split-half coefficient (r = .73) showed good results. The independent t test results revealed that there were significant gender differences in space, time, and institution subscales. One way ANOVA
results also indicated that student and space subscales significantly differed according to teaching experience of the PE teachers. These results indicated that the PETPAS is a valid and reliable scale for Turkish culture.
The moderating effect of self-efficacy on the antecedents of online satisfaction with an electronic document exchange system
Authors: Jang Chyi-Lu
Published: April 2009

This study was aimed at testing the moderating effect of self-efficacy on antecedents to online satisfaction using the Electronic Document Exchange System (EDES). Based on survey data gained from 374 public employees, Structural Equation Modeling analysis was employed to assess the
differences between high and low self-efficacy respondents. It was found that antecedents to online satisfaction differ between high and low self-efficacy respondents. Using this information, organizations could develop and provide differentiated versions and services of EDES to high and low
self-efficacy users.
Contrasting tactics in deceptive impression management
Authors: Sato Taku , Nihei Yoshiaki
Published: April 2009

The deceptive tactics used to manipulate impressions people gave to others of themselves and other individuals were investigated. In the first phase, all participants told about the most memorable event that happened yesterday. In the second phase, one group of participants in the self-aggrandizement
condition were asked to distort the original statement to give the impression that they were competent or socially desirable. Another group of participants assigned to the other-belittlement condition were asked to distort the original statement to give an impression that other individuals
in the original telling were incompetent or socially undesirable. The results show that participants in both conditions used two deceptive tactics. One is a direct tactic, which is a direct manipulation of the target's evaluation. The other is an indirect tactic, which is indirect manipulation
of the target's evaluation by contrasting with a nontarget person.
Coping with intercultural transactions in multicultural societies
Authors: Song Eugene
Published: April 2009

The coping strategies that people in a multicultural society use to deal with the conflicts and stress arising from different cultural expectations in interpersonal relationships were investigated. Based on the results of a focus group analysis with 121 college students in Hawaii, a
62-item pool of coping behaviors was generated and another 503 college students reported the extent to which they used such coping behaviors in their daily life. Results of a factor analysis revealed 5 factors of coping strategies: Respect for and understanding of cultural differences, Self-development
arising from negotiating between cultures, Support seeking; Avoidance and passive acceptance, and Rejection of monocultures and generation of unique identity. Also, multiple regression analyses showed that cognitive-based coping strategies were the key predictors of satisfaction with life.
Foreign direct investments-expected inflow: Reality or great illusion
Authors: Savic Ljubodrag
Published: April 2009

For more than ten years the Yugoslav economy and its industry are undergoing a very serious economic crisis, leading not only to a drastic deterioration of all economic performances, but above all to a dramatic exclusion form the world economic flows, being characteristic for the process of globalization and initiated by the world most powerful countries. In the pre-globalization period the firm's expansion was performed through an increased export. In the last three decades a considerable change took place, when instead of their export expansion large companies increasingly began to base strategies of access on foreign markets on direct international investments, new forms of international trade and international agreements and cooperation. The essential problem (possibly even the preliminary one), i.e. a necessary condition for the Yugoslav industry's further development is to find out an appropriate for inclusion into the process of globalization. At this moment his paper's ambitions are a bit more modest. The basic idea is to discuss the distribution of direct foreign investments from the geographic aspect with a somewhat more detailed analysis of the direct foreign investments inflow in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and to look for an answer to the question what are the chances of Yugoslavia to attract a larger amount of direct foreign investments, since their lack would lead to an intensification of the economic crisis, i.e. impossibility of any serious economic development, thus leaving our country to lag behind at the far civilization periphery of the world.
Environmental policy and trade under non-competitive markets: Directions for developing economies
Authors: Sampaolesi Alejandro
Published: April 2009

This paper is only a first step towards an understanding of the effects of strategic environmental policy. Even the simple framework developed here provides interesting insights. As the precedent analysis has made clear, the optimal pollution policy under domestic distortions can be decomposed into a "domestic output effect", a "trade effect", and a "pollution effect". The "domestic output effect" captures the change in welfare coming from a change in domestic firms sale, the "trade effect" captures the change in welfare coming from a change in the level of imports, while the "pollution effect" captures the negative effect on welfare of domestic emissions. Then, the optimal pollution policy can imply a tax or subsidy for the domestic industry, which will depend on the specific characteristics of a given economy. This result emphasizes the idea, as is well known, that the outcomes for the case of one distortion do not hold in an optimal-second best pollution policy. With respect to the issues of international trade, we showed that international trade unambiguously increases social welfare and that the effect of an increase in the level of the domestic tariff is uncertain on optimal pollution tax. The analysis presented appears robust to other specifications of functional forms; the use of specific and relatively simple functional forms allowed calculation of closed-form solutions for variables of interest and allowed a clear understanding of the underlying economic principles at work in the analysis. There are many additional of research that could be pursued. A natural extension is to consider a simple two-country model with endogenous world prices.
Review of the political economy of transition: Can experience be transitologized?
Authors: Josifidis Kosta
Published: April 2009

In this paper we have been analyzed crucial question concerning the existence o economics of transition. Framework was determined and centered on strategies, sequenciality, political constraints, prospective and performance, as well as initial conditions, as a essential of political economy of transition.
Open issues and perspectives of the present arrangements between FR of Yugoslavia and international financial institutions
Authors: Petrovic Pero
Published: April 2009

The economic-financial relations with foreign countries and organizations and that is include transition of the Yugoslav politics and it is complex subject about characteristics of the actual arrangements of the FR Yugoslavia with international financial institutions and organizations and that is only one important part. But interrelations that processes is obviously for this article main subject are open questions and dealed with it a perspective of the future arrangements. We must take micro and macroeconomic measures dealed with problems of our society and economy that arrangements will be important factors of the development of the economic development. International Monetary Found is concluded that FR of Yugoslavia have a great successes in the reforms of macroeconomic policy and in the first part dealing with inflation and growth of the currency reserves and growth of the industry production. Dealing with new macroeconomic policy bring the results and new tax politics and liberalization of the tax policy an currency system at the beginning of this year. New framework of the privatization and definition of banking system there is create a new legal framework with goal of transformation economy to free market economy.
Comparative advantage of exports from Serbia and Montenegro
Authors: Gagovic Nebojsa
Published: April 2009

The revealed comparative advantage index shows country's share of world markets in a given product, relative to its share in all manufactures. It expresses what specific products the country exports, and where it losing or gaining advantage. For ease of interpretation this paper reports the logarithm of RCA measure. According to this measure, the leading export products are those with high and rising RCA. In the case of Serbia and Montenegro, an unusual mix of manufactures appears to be among leading industries, including footwear, clothes, agricultural products, and mineral raw-materials.
Monetary boards in theory and praxis
Authors: Basic Tamara
Published: April 2009

Ovaj rad bavi se pitanjem monetarnog odbora kao forme monetarne politike u smislu njegove optimalnosti u teoriji te mogucnosti i komplikacija primjene u praksi. Dat je kratak pregled literature na temu izbora optimalne politike deviznog kursa a zatim i primjeri i definicija monetarnog odbora u praksi. Rad nadalje navodi probleme implementacije monetarnog odbora u praksi te fundamentalne prijetnje i prakticne korake koje treba preduzeti kako bi on optimalno djelovao na ekonomiju. Konacno rad iznosi zakljucak da monetarni odbor, za male ekonomske sisteme, moze biti i jeste optimalna monetarna politika ako se pri njegovoj primjeni pridrzava navedenih pravila.
Decentralized accounting reporting in the function of motivation
Authors: Gajic Ljubica
Published: April 2009

One of the main factors of company's business success is complete mobility and orientation of the collective towards realizing common interests and goals of a company as a whole. Activities pointed at that goal are also connected to building a motivation system in the company. One of the means of motivation policy is a system of stimulating rewards, where information base is calculation of costs and business results of a company, relied on complete tracking of business processes, according to functions and fields and centers of responsibility for realized success, or failure. Profit, as the final financial product of the company's activities, is basically the main activation power for all the employees. Their motivation helps successful realization of business policy and strategic development of a company through a functional system of measuring and evaluating results and adequate awards.
Complexity of the strategic management in tourism
Authors: Cerovic Slobodan
Published: April 2009

Studying and application of management in tourism, although recently established, represents very complex research area of management that gather and interweave different, not only scientific, but also practical disciplines: economy, statistics, mathematics, psychology, informative technologies, sociology and many others, that means the interdisciplinary approach is requested. From this point of view, the management is a critical process for the organization, the leadership is the support of the management and all kinds of decision making are the key of leadership. The aim of this work is, to certain extent, in overcoming the gap between normative and empiricist approach, in offering the basic solutions for making strategic and other decisions, thus the basis of the management in tourism, which partly relies on the logical consequences of normative theory and partly on the empiricist findings of descriptive studies. Therefore, the selection of the tourism enterprise management strategy is specially emphasized and based on that the conclusion that there is not a formula, but each enterprise has to analyze its market position for itself and. according to the formulated strategic goals, to select an adequate strategy.
World trade organization and trade liberalization after Doxa
Authors: Kovacevic Radovan
Published: April 2009

Developing countries have highlighted the importance of examine the interlink ages between trade, debt and finance in an effort to find sustainable solutions to these challenges within the context of the multilateral trading system. This paper analyzes what actions could be taken in the context of the WTO Doha negotiations to assist countries to benefit from deeper trade integration. It discusses the policy agenda that confronts many developing countries and identifies a number of focal points that could be used both as targets and as benchmarks to increase the likelihood that WTO negotiations will support development. To achieve these targets a number of negotiating modalities are proposed for both goods and services-related market access issues, as well as rule making in regulatory areas. Developing countries must approach WTO negotiations with a firm view of their national priorities, and seek to ensure that multilateral obligations will assist in and not detract from, the realization of development objectives. For the development community this implies priority should be given to strengthening the capacity to identify national priorities and to analyze the cost and benefits of proposed agreements in light of those priorities.
The dynamics of social capital in Serbia (II)
Authors: Losonc Alpar
Published: April 2009

This is the second part of the paper that is presented at the conference of EBEN 29-31.2003. In this part of paper I am dealing with the constellation in Serbia after 2000. I take certain dimensions of social capital (civil mindedness, readiness to react to the corruption in business practice etc) and analyze their positions in the business-context in Serbia. This experience confirms that it is not enough to take into account the formal productive sector in treating the dynamics of social capital. The paper calls for the careful weighing of the impact of social capital on the transformation of meaning of business. It is necessary to avoid the trap that there is direct causal relationship between rich social capita! and market-based coordination. In Serbia we can report on the prevailing of the informal bonding social capital over the bridging formal social capital. There are negative impacts of social capital manifested in powerful social groups, which are not accountable to citizens at large. The over embedded ness in the previous form of informal social capital may appear as hindrance for the developing of the formal social capital.
Characteristics, barriers and skills of internal entrepreneurship, whit a view on our conditions
Authors: Lajovic Dragan
Published: April 2009

In this work, the barriers existing in creation of intra-entrepreneurial culture within a corporation will be questioned, as well as the certain factors leading to creation of environment for intra-entrepreneurship within a corporation. Finally, the specific characteristics of intra-entrepreneurs wilt be discussed and they wilt be compared to the characteristics of the corporation managers and entrepreneurs. A special attention is paid to the barriers on one side, and to the skills on the other side of the phenomenon called intra-entrepreneurship. Final observations in this work have realistically considered the options of intra-entrepreneurship implementation in post-privatization phase in our conditions.
Controlling concept of enterprise
Authors: Perovic Veselin
Published: April 2009

The beginning of controlling dates back to XIII century, when first in France and also at the English court have been employed so called Controllers. While in the USA in XVIII century Comptroller s had the role to keep in balance the state budget and the use of states assets. In this way in 1931 "Controllers Institute of America,, was established, which later had changed his name to: Financial Executive Institute, (FEI). FEI is today, preeminent professional association for senior level financial executives, consisting of 15.000 members, 1500 from them are Controllers. In the Europe the controlling had played serious role since 1970. Controlling can shortly defined as a process of navigation for the economic purpose. Further we make a distinctions from definitions which define controlling as an institution and a function, depending on implementation of controlling which had to be centralized or decentralized. In our economic theory in last years began to talk about control, which is usually used in the organizational part of finance department called planning and analysis, earlier, planning and control (now). Today's philosophy of the enterprise is to analyze facts which have happened, controlling first of all has a duty to solve a problem by the analyzing of current situation and to give certain proposal for the future. The main purpose in implementation of the controlling in our firms had to be its independence from other departments which guides to problem solving and proposals to better and the rational business making.
Corporate management: Genesis, models and problems
Authors: Djordjevic Marija
Published: April 2009

Corporate governance refers to the way a company is run and includes laws, rules and principles on which it is based. Corporate governance has poor history. Models of corporate governance have been developed from different cultural, historical and legal environments in which corporations do their business. There are two basic types of corporate governance in developed economies: the one-tier system, which is practiced in the United Kingdom and the United States and the two-tier system, which evolved in Germany and Japan. On the other hand, the transitional countries started developing their corporate governance under very different circumstances due to their socialism-oriented market and public property. Investments are among the main prerequisites for economic growth. The most important investment is greenfield investment, which means that foreign investors invest their money in another country to start a new business. The last, but not least important issue, is agency problem, which arises when management runs a company in the way that maximizes their own interests, while the ownership of shareholders is depreciated. This paper describes the genesis of corporate governance, its models in developed countries, its state in transitional economies and some of the main ways of controlling management and dealing with agency problems.
Economic theory and the low quality of American beer
Authors: Hall John
Published: April 2009

Conventional wisdom regarding the quality of American beer is explored. Three traditions in economic theory: neoclassical, path dependent, and path creation are applied to explain deteriorating nutritional quality of American beer. Broader notions of evolution over the course of time are also considered. Three tables of empirical evidence measure changes in the brewing industry, suggesting to explain decline in the nutritional quality of beer over time. Speculation is made regarding the future of beer quality (as well as the U.S. beverage and food industry), noting implications for public health.
Policy of the labour market and employment strategy
Authors: Radic Jova
Published: April 2009

In terms of economy, it is practically impossible to tackle separately the issues of unemployment and labor market, Only in the non-market economy environment that existed till the very end of the past century the issue of human resources employment was treated as a dominant ideological and political issue. That resulted in inherited high rate of hidden unemployment, low labour productivity, technological gap in relation to the countries with the developed market economy, imbalanced regional development, and the like. People's psychological fear from unemployment resisted the reestablishment of the labour market. Many of them have experienced stressful job losses. Regretfully, in the first years of the market reestablish men t, due to well-known circumstances, new jobs have been created much slower than the surplus jobs have been eliminated in the rationalization process. That additionally increased the fear from unemployment and resistance to necessary transformation of labour legislation which should free the labour market from inflexible administrative restrictions. High unemployment rate does not characterize only the less developed countries. We have highlighted the problem in the EU member states, as well. Although we have not conducted a detailed empirical analysis, we have concluded that the issue of labour market functioning and unemployment have been the major internal problem for EU for many years now. EU plans to reach full employment in the foreseeable future. To reach the set goal, the labour legislation is being changed in terms of further labour market liberalization and achievement of flexible employment; establishment of European institutions with the task to tackle unemployment problems; and allocation of significant resources to finance employment programmes through structuring funds, first of all the European Social Fund. The general conclusion and the message to be drawn out of this paper are in that that the government and its social partners should, each in their domain of responsibility, do their best to free still hidden potentials of the labour market. In order to keep his job or to return to the work environment, a worker should master new competences and skills, and his employer should feel free to make decisions regarding his employees as much as he is free to choose work technology or the product he is going to produce. Of course, the labour market, particularly in high unemployment rate environment, does not imply employer's unlimited self-will toward his employees. Humane attitude and the heritage of the democratic world, which include equality among people without any kind of discrimination, gender equality, free movement, health care, right to social welfare, education, and the like, should be the leading principles. After all, EU has in its Social Welfare Charter clearly expressed its attitude toward man and his rights.
Dependence of work relocation by micro instruments of regional policy: Conceptual and methodological approach
Authors: Supic Novica
Published: April 2009

Regional policy has been dominated by use of micro-policy instruments to bring about a reallocation of capital and labor. Instruments designed to stimulate an increase of regional mobility of labor, have played a relative minor role in regional economy theory to date. Much greater emphasis has been placed on instruments designed to move capital into disadvantage regions. However, instruments to reallocate labor, has a developed conceptual and methodological basis, today. Its aim is to introduce labor to located in areas which would not normally been chosen by those making the location decision. This involves not only locate labor in regions where jobs are available but also inducting disadvantage areas to produce their own jobs through indigenous development.
Corporate management: Ownership, control and shareholders' rights
Authors: Djordjevic Marija
Published: April 2009

In spite of extent of economy development in one country, every corporation faces up with same problems connected with corporate governance. Problems are ownership, shareholders rights and control. The way to acquire ownership is by buying shares of company. Ownership is connected with making essential decisions in corporation like changing statute of firm, allowing new stock market flotation, etc. There are two types of ownership: widespread or dispersed ownership and concentrated ownership. Dispersed ownership is characteristic of Anglo-Saxon countries (United Kingdom and United States) where one-tier system is representative model of corporate governance. Dispersed ownership means that every single packet of shares is smaller than 20% of total shares in corporation. On the other hand concentrated ownership characterizes presence of ultimate owner(s) in company. Ultimate owner is person who holds more than 20% of shares in firm. If shareholder holds more than 50% of shares he is major shareholder what means that he has control over company. Concentrated ownership is characteristic of continental Europe and Japan where is presented two-tier model of corporate governance. Law and other institutional rules, like rules for listed companies of stock market, must guarantee the shareholder rights. Today, every country accepts Principles of Corporate Governance published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Further more, the transitional countries, as Russia, must pass and respect laws, which protect shareholders rights. Control of management is one of the ways to protect shareholder rights. Control could be internal and external. Audit or Supervisory board is main part of internal control. Independent external auditor who is in relation with company does external control by contract of giving services. It is important that all auditors (internal of external) be independent of management of corporations. In this paper, we try to adduce main problems of modern corporate governance as ownership control and shareholders rights.
The optimization of low-magnesium zinc concentrate production process
Authors: Jarosiński Andrzej , Fela Katarzyna
Published: April 2009

The optimization of low-magnesium zinc concentrate production process

In this paper the result of the study on chemical leaching of zinc concentrate with H2SO4 solution was presented. The object of this work was to assess the effect of some parameters such as acid concentration, the leaching agent amount /stoichiometry amount or excess of acid were applied/, reaction time and temperature on the process. The investigation was performed as a active experiment according to Hartley's plan. The process optimisation procedure was based on the fuzzy logic system. Mainly, the parameters such as magnesium leaching efficiency and zinc losses were taken into account. It was stated that the highest magnesium leaching efficiency of 77.8% with low Zn-losses was reached when H2SO4 solution concentration was 2.5% for 20%-excess of acid, at temperature 25°C and process time of 1 hour.