bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La Conceptualisation en Sociologie : Influences paradigmatiques et implications methodologiques. L'Exemple de la notion de risque dans le sport
Authors: Soulé B. , Corneloup J.
Published: January 2010

Conceptualization in Sociology: Paradigmatie Influences and Methodological Implications: Such a seemingly self-apparent notion as "risky sports" is widely used in social science literature. Through the in-depth analysis of this term, the purpose of this article is to examine a crucial step of the sociological research process: definition of concepts. After having underlined simplifications and paradoxes inherent in the common sense use of this term, we present an overview of its scientific uses and definitions. Some terminological difficulties soon appear, along with differing points of view and plural available conceptualizations. The critical, structural, subjectivist, culturalist, and systemic approaches can thus be differentiated. The choice made between these options entail methodological consequences that are also discussed. Two epistemological positions can eventually be adopted. On one hand, one can be in favour of the abandon of such a category, on account of its intrinsic shakiness, and because it is merely impossible to reach by consensus the one and only definition of "risky sports". On the other hand, one can acknowledge the polythetic nature of this term. The latter will then be easily observed through the specific constructions of "risky sports", as a scientific object, according to each research problematics.
Compte rendu succinct de l'analyse du congrès de L'AISLF (Tours 2004)
Authors: Roy Christian
Published: January 2010

Succinct Report on the Analysis of the AISLF Congress (Tour 2004): Following the line of work of the January 2005 issue of the BMS (n. 85, based on the analysis of the abstracts of the February 2004 Association Française de Sociologie Congress), we try to demonstrate the optimal use that can be made of text analysis software in human sciences. But in this case, we use the reports from the most recent meeting ot the Association Internationale des Sociologues de Langue Française (AISLF) in July 2004. We use the ALCESTE software in a first step to extract a maximum of "terminal" lexical classes (15 in this case). The second step uses the stages of ALCESTE's hierarchically descending classification analysis to examine the possible origins of these successive partitions.
CARME-N — Correspondence Analysis and Related Methods Network CARME 2007
Authors: Blasius Jôrg , Greenacre Michael , Groenen Patrick , van de Velden Michel
Published: January 2010

CARME-N - Réseau d'analyse des correspondances et des méthodes associées- CARME 2007 : En mai 1991, une premier conférence sur les analyses des correspondances a eu lieu à Cologne. Depuis, trois autres conférences se sont déroulées et les organisateurs ont créé le Réseau d'analyse des correspondances et des méthodes associées (CARM-N). La cinquième conférence s'est tenue en juin 2007 à Rotterdam aux Pays-Bas.
Comparaison inter-classements des revues en sociologie-démographie et en science politique
Authors: Briatte François
Published: January 2010

* L'auteur est membre du bureau de l'Association Nationale des Candidats aux Métiers de la Science Politique (ANCMSP) et a effectué ce travail dans le but d'informer les débats internes à l'association. L'auteur remercie vivement les autres membres du bureau pour leurs commentaires sur une version préliminaire de ce texte, ainsi que Philippe Cibois et Karl van Meter pour leur aide précieuse.
Percentage of Maximum Deviation From Independence (PEM): Comment on Lefèvre & Champely's "Analyse D'un Tableau de Contingence" Article
Authors: Cibois Philippe
Published: January 2010

Pourcentage de l'Ecart Maximum à l'indépendance (PEM) - Commentaire sur « Analyse d'un tabelau de contingence » par Lefèvre et Champely : Concernant l'article de Lefèvre et Champely « Analyse d'un tableau de contingence », Philippe Cibois explique le concept du PEM qui était évoqué par les auteurs. Il montre que le recours au Khi-deux permet d'éviter une procédure bootstrap pour juger de la significativité d'un PEM. Il suggère, à la place du V de Cramér, utilisé par les auteurs, d'utiliser un PEM généralisé dont il donne l'algorithme de maximisation du PEM dans le cas d'un tableau entier.
Interlocking Directorates in the Top U.S. Corporations
Authors: Sonquist John A. , Koenig Thomas
Published: January 2010

Dans l'introduction, l'auteur présente le problème de l'étude des conseils de direction des grandes compagnies américaines par l'analyse des réseaux. En effet, l'emploi le plus courant d'un membre d'un conseil de direction d'une compagnie est celui de directeur du conseil d'une autre compagnie. L'étude de cette question s'est limitée jusqu'ici à des sous-ensembles préalablement choisis de la population des grandes compagnies. Ce type d'étude, en outre, s'est presque toujours basé sur une orientation théorique définie d'avance.

Dans la deuxième partie de cet article, l'auteur décrit les quatre orientations théoriques principales : contrôle directorial ; contrôle de l'environnement et réciprocité ; contrôle financier ; contrôle par hégénomie de classe. Les résultats prévus par chacune de ces orientations sont aussi clairement décrits.

Dans la troisième partie, l'auteur présente la méthode de recherche des "cliques" à l'intérieur d'un réseau dense de liens entre des points. Comme l'auteur s'est donné comme but l'analyse des membres des conseils des 500 plus importantes compagnies américaines, il fut obligé d'adapter cette méthode pour expliquer ce réseau de liens extrêmement dense.

Après une présentation méthodologique de la façon dont les cliques de compagnies furent construites, l'auteur analyse ces cliques par rapport à leur force centrifuge, leur composition, leurs liens externes, leur diamètre, leur taille, le rôle des banques et des compagnies d'assurance et le rôle des liens entre cliques. Par exemple, la "Table 1" donne la liste des compagnies qui appartiennent au noyau central de deux cliques distinctes et la "Table 2" celle de la proportion des liens inter-clique par rapport aux liens intra-cliques. Sur la base de cette analyse et à cause du très haut niveau de liens inter- et intra-cliques, le seul modèle général acceptable semble bien être celui d'hégénomie de classe.

Un résultat inattendu est l'aspect régional des cliques révélées. En effet, cette méthode d'analyse des résaux a constitué 32 cliques qui ont chacune une base géographique assez clairement définie en dépit du fait qu'elles participent pleinement dans ce réseau d'étendue nationale, voire internationale.

Pour terminer, l'auteur montre qu'en dessous du niveau d'analyse générale, les autres orientations théoriques se combinent pour founir des explications aux caractéristiques particulières à certaines des cliques. Les questions concernant ces caractéristiques ouvrent pour l'auteur une voie de recherche à développer. En annexe, on trouve la liste complète des cliques et leur composition, type de membres, situtation géographique, indication de lien avec d'autres cliques et son aspect complet ou non-complet.
L'analyse des données multidimensionnelles par le langage d'interrogation des données (LID)
Authors: Bernard Jean-Marc , Le Roux Brigitte , Rouanet Henry , Schiltz Marie-Ange
Published: January 2010

Multidimensional data analysis with LID data Interrogation language. Chapter I describes the three stages which lead to the analysis of a questionnaire by the language LID: correspondence analysis, data structuring, data exploration with LID. Chapter II describes the language LID and the interface program INTERF between EyeLID-I and ADDAD. Chapter III presents two concrete examples of application: the first is the reanalysis of a British survey; the second is the analysis of a French survey. Chapter IV, in the framework of a ternary frequency table, presents a study of data interaction.
Reliability and Validity Appraisal Through Structural Equation Models
Authors: Bynner John
Published: January 2010

Exactitude et validité vues par les modèles à équations structurelles. D'après un examen historique de l'évaluation de l'exactitude et la validité on conclut qu'un point de vue trop étroit la validité est utilisé par les chercheurs travaillant dans la tradition de la modélisation par équations structurelle, surtout dans ses applications avec les modèles factoriels classiques et ses développements récents "multi-traits multi-méthodes". La partition de la variance d'erreur dans cette approche entre effets substantifs et effets de méthode, et sa relation avec l'inexactitude et l'invalidité est expliqué ici: l'alternatif simple, l'interprétation des relations parmi un ensemble d'indicateurs, est présenté ensuite. Un exemple empirique est utilisé pour démontrer la dépendance de l'estimation d'exactitude et de validité du contexte théorique dans lequel elle est faite. On conclut, avec Cronbach, que le sens du terme validité doit être rétabli en comprenant tout l'apport des propriété théorétiques assignées à a mesure et que l'on doit désigner en termes d'exactitude de mesure les biais spécifiques engendrés par les effets de méthodes et d'autres variables confondues.
Explanations for Differences in Publication Rates Between Male and Female Academics and Between Productive and Less Productive Women
Authors: Noordenbos Greta
Published: January 2010

Dans le présent article, Je présente quelques explicauons possibles qui rendent compte de cet état de fait souvent relevé dans la littérature qui indique que les hommes publient plus que les femmes. Je présenterai plus loin les résultats de ma recherche dans laquelle je compare les hommes et les femmes ainsi que des femmes productives et des femmes moins productives. En 1973 Cole et Cole trouvèrent que les universitaires hommes publient plus que les universitaires femmes. Ce résultat fut retrouvé plusieurs fois depuis. Dans des publications ultérieures, ce fait fut donné pour bien établi et ne fut plus remis en question. On s'interrogea ensuite sur le point de savoir pourquoi les femmes mariées publient plus que les célibataires et pourquoi les femmes ayant des enfants ne publient pas moins que celles qui n'en n'ont pas (Cole & Zuckerman, 1987: Kyvik. 1990; Thagaard, 1988: Toren 1989). Il semblerait qu'il ne soit plus possible de se poser la question de savoir pourquoi les femmes publient moins que les hommes, ce qui signifie que cette prise de position implicite ne peut plus être remise en cause. Dans ma recherche, j'apparie des hommes et des femmes travaillant à l'université de Leiden selon les variables suivantes: Vannée et le domaine où on commence sa carrière universitaire et le niveau où l'on est d'abord affecté. De cette façon, la durée de la carrière et les conditions de travail sont maintenues constantes. Le nombre de personnes relativement bien appareillées qui peuvent être extraites des données issues à cette fin du fichier du personnel a été de 198, c'est à dire de 99 paires. Cacune de ces 99 paires reçu un questionnaire concernant leurs conditions de travail, leurs publications, leur carrière et leur vie privée. En tout 112 questionnaires furent retournés, 72 venant d'hommes et 40 de femmes. De ceux-ci 66 questionnaires venaient de 33 paires. J'ai comparé le taux de publication des hommes et des femmes and fait l'hypothèse que pour les mêmes conditions de travail, les femmes ne publiaient pas moins que les hommes. Je compare ensuite les femmes qui ont publié plus et celles qui ont publié moins. Mon hypothèse est que les femmes productives disposent d'une manière significative de plus de temps pour publier et de meilleurs conditions tant au travail que chez elles.
Rare Populations, Hidden Populations, and Link-Tracing Designs: What and Why?
Authors: Spreen Marinus
Published: January 2010

Literature on snowball sampling and other ascending methodologies (intensive data collection methodologies) is widely scattered. In order to indicate a structure in the diversity of articles, snowball sampling and other ascending methodologies are embedded in the general concept of link-tracing methodologies. From this point of view link-tracing methodologies are considered as tools for analysing social structure and for locating members of special populations. By introducing a new theoretical concept for defining special populations, a subdivision is made in link-tracing methodologies as a tool to locate rare populations and as a tool to locate hidden populations.
Acteurs, cibles et leviers: analyse factorielle des relations de controle indirect dans une firme americaine d'avocats d'affaires
Authors: Lazega Emmanuel , Vari Stéphane
Published: January 2010

8ummary. Actors, Targets, and Levers: Factor Analyzing Indirect Control Relationships in an Ammerican Law Firm. This paper analyzes Krackhardt (1986) type of network data collected from 36 partners in an American law firm. The data describes strategles of indirect control. A strategy is defined as a choice by an actor (the person who delegates the task) of a lever (the person who is asked to perform the task) who takes care of a target (the person who is to be influenced). Despite the heavy-handedness of this approach, factor analyzing this data provides a simple way to represent actors, targets and levers in the same space. It is also useful to describe a division of control work among peers, as well as roles shaping this form of relational influence. Using the results of this analysis, we classify strategies based on whether actors make use of universal and generalist levers, or of local and specialized ones.
Effects of Measures Aimed At Increasing the Quality of Recall Data
Authors: van der Zouwen Johannes , Dijkstra Wil , van der Vaart Wander
Published: January 2010

De l'effet de mesures visant à améliorer la qualité des données basée sur le souvenir. Dans une expérience menée sur terrain. on a testé l'effet de quatre mesures différentes tendant à améliorer la qualité des données de questions rétrospectives: 1) une liste de contrôle pour les données factuelles, 2) l'utilisation d'une procédure de mémorisation allant du plus recent vers le plus ancien plutôt que la procédure contralre du plus ancien vers le plus récent utilisée habituellement. 3) une liste de réponses possibles pour les questions d'attitudes et 4) l'utilisation d'une matérialisation du temps sur une ligne en vue de la reconstruction des séquences d'évènements de vie. Seules la première et la dernière de ces mesures ont entrainé l'effet positif attendu. Les résultats de notre analyse montrent que la qualit6 des informations rassemblées avec des questions rétrospectives n'est pas très bonne et que les mesures prises pour améliorer la qualité des données sont en général peu efficaces. Ceci signifie que la recherche à partir d'histoires de vie. faite essentiellement à partir de réponses à des questions rétrospectives, est une démarche pleine de risques.
Some Remarks On the Interpretation and Possible Uses of the "Social Capital" Concept With Special Regard To the Hungarian Case1
Authors: Tardos Robert
Published: January 2010

Quelques remarques sur l'interprétation et les utilisations possibles du concept de "capital social" avec attention pour le cas hongrois. L'auteur examine les diverses définitions du concept de capital pour ensuite voir ce qu'entend le concept de capital social. Il propose trois définitions qui sont analysées et appliquées à des données d'enquêtes existantes en Hongrie
Computer-Assisted Qualitative Interviewing: a Method for Cognitive Pretesting of Computerized Questionnaires
Authors: Snijkers Ger
Published: January 2010

Entretiens qualitatives assistés par ordinateur: une méthode de pré-test cognitive de questionnaires informatisés. A Statistics Netherlands, presque toutes les enquêtes de ménages sont assistées par ordinateur. Dans ce cadre. au Centre de ressources de construction de questionnaires de Statistics Netherlands. une méthode assistée par ordinateur pour tester des questionnaires informatisés dans un laboratoire cognitif a été mise en place et appelée l'Entretien qualitatif assisté par ordinateur (CAQI). Un protocole CAQI se déroule à travers des instructions sur écran et des questionnements par rapport aux questions à tester. Notre expérience est que CAQI est une méthode utilisable qui produit de bonnes Informations qualitatives sur la manière dont les questions sont traitées et sur la manière dont les répondents produisent des réponses.
Comment analyser les données chronologiques pour plan partitionné en sciences sociales
Authors: Clavet Michel , Petry François , Brien Jean-Sébastien
Published: January 2010

How to Analyze Time-Series Cross-Section Data in the Social Sciences. In this paper we present, step by step, a SAS statistical program for the analysis of Time-Series Cross-Section (TSCS) data which gives robust and unbiased regression estimates. Several statistical packages (SHAZAM. SAS. SPSS) offer procedures for the analysis of TSCS data based entirely, or in part, on a particular application of the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) method developed by Parks and Kmenta. In a series of recent articles. Beck and Katz have shown that the GLS estimation method often underestimates substantially the standard error of regression parameters in TSCS models. They suggest a new method for generating adequate correction of the error process in TSCS models. This method consists of using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) parameter estimates first. and then replacing OLS standards errors (which are biased) with unbiased Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSEs) obtained after correcting both temporal autocorrelation and spatial correlation structures. The paper provides a SAS application of the method suggested by Beck and Katz. The SAS program can be downloaded through our web site.
An Evaluation of a Typology of Respondents With a Multilevel-Multinomial Logit Model
Authors: Pickery Jan , Loosveldt Geert
Published: January 2010

Une évaluation d'une typologie de répondants avec un modèle logit multiniveau et multinomial. Dans cet article, nous examinons une typologie de répondants à une enquête, basée sur les rapports des interviewers. Dans de tels rapports, l'interviewer évalue la motivation et les capacités des interviewés à répondre aux questions. Dans un article précédent, cette information a été utilisée pour créer une typologie de répondants de trois types. Le premier a largement les capacités cognitives requises et il est bien motivé. Le deuxième type ressemble au premier, mais avec des capacités et motivations moindres. Le troisième type a des problèmes à répondre au questionnaire. Il est possible de valider cette typologie empiriquement en confrontant les caractéristiques sociologiques des répondants avec les indicateurs de qualité des données recueillies. Nous faisons une validation de cette typologie avec une analyse multiniveau, contrôlant ainsi pour le biais des interviewers. L'analyse multiniveau prend en compte la structure hiérarchique des données d'enquête et offre la meilleure possibilité d'analyser les effets d'interviewer. Nous utilisons un modèle logit multiniveau et multinomial avec les caractéristiques des répondants et leur comportement de réponse comme variables indépendantes. la typologie comme variable dépendante et l'interviewer comme identificateur du niveau 2. Nos résultats montrent une variabilité significative des interviewers, ce qui remet en question l'utilité des rapports d'interviewers dans la construction d'une typologie de répondants.
Les "Rafales", une méthode pour identifier les différents épisodes d'un récit: Contribution au traitement et a l'interpretation des entretiens non-directifs de recherche
Authors: Brugidou Mathieu , Le Quéau Pierre
Published: January 2010

"Spurts" (rafales), A Method for Identifping the Different Episodes in Speech - A Contribution to the Analysis and Interpretation of Empirical Open-Ended Interviews. This article describes research with a method for the analysis of open-ended interviews. The identification of a series of often-repeated terms during a short period ("spurts" or "rafales", in French) allows us to reveal "packets of meaning" which constitute episodes of speech. By following these spurts of terms, it seems possible to identify thematic breaks (the end of a series of spurts) and the frontiers where the themes of conversation unravel while a new theme (or speech episode) develops (a new series of spurts). The algorithm for identifying spurts has been integrated into the TROPES semantic analysis software and we attempt to show the contribution it can make in the analysis of open-ended interviews. This article uses and compares the lexicometric approach (spurts based on graphic patterns) and the semantic approach (spurts based on equivalence classes of terms with similar meanings).
Screening for Common Neurologic Diseases Among Israeli Adolescents
Authors: Bar-Dayan Yaron , Arnson Yoav , Elishkevits Keren
Published: December 2009

Neurologic disorders are the common causes of morbidity among adolescents. The estimated prevalence of common neurologic disorders relies on relatively small samples. We aimed to identify the prevalence of common neurologic disorders among Israeli adolescents. In Israel, all 17-year-old Israeli nationals are required to undergo a health-screening examination at the Israel Defense Forces recruiting office. Neurology specialists evaluate and classify suspected neurologic disorders. The findings included a high prevalence of neurologic morbidity among the 94 805 adolescents (61.5% males and 39.5% females) examined in 2001. The most prevalent diagnoses were headaches and learning disorders. The frequency of chronic headache in this study was relatively low. A significant difference in morbidity patterns between male and female adolescents was noted. Overall, we found that the prevalence of chronic, frequent headaches among adolescents is much lower than that reported previously. Headache, learning disability, epilepsy, and infectious or traumatic head injury were the most common diagnoses.
Acellular Dermal Matrix Seeded with Autologous Fibroblasts Improves Wound Breaking Strength in a Rodent Soft Tissue Damage Model in Neoadjuvant Settings
Authors: Roessner Eric Dominic , Thier Steffen , Hohenberger Peter , Schwarz Markus , Pott Peter , Dinter Dietmar , Smith Mark
Published: December 2009

Soft tissue defects following resectional surgery or trauma often result in deadspaces and require free or pedicled flaps. A programmed formation of filling tissue with enhanced biomechanical properties could be helpful. This study examined the effects on wound healing of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) seeded with autologous fibroblasts in a standardized rodent model. As pre- or postoperative radiotherapy is standard in many treatments of malignancies, we also investigated the effects of additional radiotherapy. Fischer rats were randomised and received a standardized unilateral soft tissue defect at the buttock. The defect was filled with ADM+fibroblasts or ADM alone. Controls received no filling. Either no radiation, adjuvant (postoperative) or neoadjuvant (preoperative) radiation was applied to the defect site. Six weeks later the defect volume was measured by MR-tomography. Wound breaking strength was examined by tensiometry according to German Industrial Standards.

Filling of the defect side was significantly larger in ADM and ADM+fibroblast treated groups compared to the control group in all settings. Wound breaking strength in the unimodal setting was significantly improved in the ADM+fibroblasts group compared to the ADM group. In the neoadjuvant setting there was no significant difference between control and ADM group. However, the ADM+fibroblasts groups showed a significantly increased wound breaking strength compared to the control and the ADM-alone group.

Seeded or unseeded ADM is able to fill deadspace in this rodent model in all settings. Implanting non-irradiated, vital, proliferating autologous fibroblasts on ADM results in significantly increased wound breaking strength.
Drug Release from PLGA Microspheres Attached to Solids Using Supercritical CO2
Authors: Mulia Kamarza , Witkamp Geert-Jan , Dawes Gwen J.S. , Fratila-Apachitei Lidy Elena , Apachitei Iulian , Duszczyk Jurek , Pellikaan Hubert
Published: December 2009

Functionalization of a porous orthopedic implant with dexamethasone, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer for controlled release could help reduce or eliminate the inflammation response by the local tissue. In this research, we investigated the possibility of using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) for attaching dexamethasone-loaded PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres to porous CoCrMo alloy for continuous delivery of dexamethasone. Supercritical CO2 has been shown to be effective for attachment of PLGA microspheres to glass plates and porous CoCrMo alloy. Attached microspheres showed similar dexamethasone release profiles but different magnitude of burst release. Microspheres attached to the porous alloy samples using supercritical CO2 at 10 bar and 40°C for 30 min showed a release profile similar to that of the nonattached microspheres. The microsphere morphology and the release profiles of microspheres attached to the glass plates and to the porous alloy samples suggest that dexamethasone burst release is enhanced by PLGA swelling at higher CO 2 pressures and better dispersion of microspheres. This study shows that microspheres can be incorporated into porous solids using supercritical CO2, allowing for a wide variety of drug-biodegradable polymer formulations prepared using the proven emulsion/solvent evaporation method to be tested.
School Violence in Taiwan: Examining How Western Risk Factors Predict School Violence in an Asian Culture
Authors: Chen Ji-Kang , Avi Astor Ron
Published: December 2009

The current study explores whether theorized risk factors in Western countries can be used to predict school violence perpetration in an Asian cultural context. The study examines the associations between risk factors and school violence perpetration in Taiwan. Data were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 14,022 students from elementary to high school (Grades 4 to 12) across Taiwan. The analysis reported in this study focuses on only junior high school students (Grades 7 to 9, N = 3,058). The results of a regression analysis show that gender, age, direct victimization, witness victimization, alcohol use, smoking, anger traits, lack of impulse control, attitudes toward violence, poor quality of student—teacher relationships, and involvement with at-risk peers were significantly associated with school violence in Taiwan. The overall results suggest strong similarities in risk factors found in the West and school violence in Taiwan. They therefore point toward using similar strategies developed in the West to enhance students’ positive experiences in their personal, family, and school lives to decrease school violence.
Exposure to Sexist Humor and Rape Proclivity: The Moderator Effect of Aversiveness Ratings
Authors: Romero-Sánchez Mónica , Durán Mercedes , Carretero-Dios Hugo , Megías Jesús L. , Moya Miguel
Published: December 2009

The aim of this study is to explore the effect of exposure to sexist humor about women on men’s self-reported rape proclivity. Earlier studies have shown that exposure to this type of humor increases rape proclivity and that funniness responses to jokes are a key element to consider. However, the role of aversiveness responses has not been studied. In a between-group design, 109 male university students are randomly exposed to sexist or nonsexist jokes. Participants are asked to rate the jokes according to their degree of funniness and aversiveness. Participants’ levels of hostile and benevolent sexism were also measured. Results about the relationship between sexist attitudes and sexist humor and the relationship between sexist attitudes and rape proclivity are consistent with those of earlier studies. However, exposure to sexist humor affects rape proclivity only when aversiveness shown to this type of humor is low. The results are discussed in the light of the prejudiced norm theory.
Asymmetric Information, Government Fiscal Policies, and Financial Development
Authors: Hung Fu-Sheng , Lee Chien-Chiang
Published: December 2009

Previous studies assert that the optimal share of public spending is equal to the output elasticity of public spending and that relying on capital income taxation to finance public spending is either beneficial or harmful to capital accumulation and economic growth. The authors incorporate asymmetric information into an endogenous growth model and reexamine how the presence of asymmetric information in financial markets affects the consequences of the government’s expenditure and financing policies. With this asymmetric information, the authors find an optimal tax rate for capital income and an optimal share of government spending that maximize economic growth. These two optimal levels are more reasonable in comparison with recent empirical works. The authors find that financial development, measured by a decrease in the information cost, is positively correlated with the optimal share of government spending and the optimal tax rate for capital income. Some preliminary evidence in support of these implications is also found.
Reports of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Older Care Recipients by Their Family Members and Their Foreign Home Care Workers: Results From Triadic Data
Authors: Ayalon Liat
Published: December 2009

Objectives: To evaluate reports of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) per family members and round the clock foreign home care workers. Design, setting, and participants: A cross-sectional matched sample of family members, foreign home care workers, and care recipients. Measurements: Family members and foreign home care workers completed a measure of NPS. All 3 stakeholders provided a variety of demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: There was a low agreement between family members and foreign home care workers with regard to reports of depression and disturbing behaviors in care recipient and a good agreement with regard to reports of memory problems. In addition to care recipients’ characteristics, family members’ characteristics were primarily correlated with family members’ reports of NPS and foreign home care workers’ characteristics were primarily associated with foreign home care workers’ reports of NPS. Conclusions: Because much of the evaluation of NPS relies on reports of formal (ie, paid) and informal caregivers (ie, unpaid), clinicians should be aware of the fact that these reports are based in large part on the subjective perception of the caregiver.
Transnational trade union cooperation at global and European level - opportunities and obstacles
Authors: Jacobi Otto
Published: January 2010

As globalisation of the economy proceeds apace, it is essential for trade unions to co-operate on a transnational basis if global capitalism is to be civilised.

This contribution argues that problems with global trade union co-operation stem from the fact that people's social interests differ greatly according to the different stages of economic development reached in the First World, the newly industrialised countries, the transition economies and the countries of the Third World. It suggests that global co-operation amongst trade unions can only be achieved by doing away with protectionism and dumping. In the interest of the economic development of other groups of countries, the highly developed states have to abolish sectoral subsidies and protectionist measures. In return, the trade unions in the First World can expect the basic social rights laid down in ILO conventions to be made universally binding. Only then will it be possible to break out of the damaging spiral of global dumping and ensure that living conditions for all concerned are able to keep pace with economic progress.

In those countries of Europe which are members of the EU, the conditions for transnational trade union co-operation are entirely different. A unified economic and monetary area has already been created, and what is needed now is for a transnational social area to be developed as well. There is scope here for the trade unions to build on the social standards that have already been set on a EU-wide basis. Despite the enormous challenges resulting from the far-reaching social changes taking place, trade unions in Europe have a real opportunity to establish a social model that can serve as a benchmark for unions in other parts of the world.
Regional co-operation within the Nordic Council of Trade Unions and across the Baltic Sea
Authors: Skulason Ari , Jääskelainen Markku
Published: January 2010

This article reviews the evolution of trade union co-operation within the Nordic Council of Trade Unions (NFS). The NFS was founded in 1972 with the aim of strengthening the already close ties between the Nordic national trade union movements in a context where several Nordic countries were making approaches to the EC and Nordic unions had been playing an active role in creating the ETUC. In recent years the work of the NFS has become more oriented, first, towards European issues and, second, towards co-operation with unions in the Baltic countries. The major changes on the geopolitical map of Europe have thus had a profound impact on the co-operation between Nordic unions, in many respects giving impetus to development of more structured and extended patterns of transnational union engagement.
Equal opportunities and collective bargaining in the Netherlands: a good case in contract catering
Authors: de Bruijn Jeanne , Bleijenbergh Inge
Published: January 2010

Are there good practices of collective bargaining on equal opportunities in the Netherlands and, if so, what can we learn from them? The article answers these questions by means of extensive reference to a case-study on the Dutch contract catering sector, which has a collective agreement including detailed provisions on childcare and steps to tackle sexual harassment.

Contract catering, a relatively new sector in the Netherlands, underwent rapid expansion in the nineties. The sector is characterised by a high proportion of female employees (75%), three quarters of whom are employed in a part-time capacity, and a relatively low degree of organisation. As in the rest of the Netherlands, industrial relations in this sector are strongly institutionalised and the whole process of preparation, bargaining and implementation of collective agreements takes place in a consultative body for labour and management, namely the Contract Catering Joint Committee.

The attention paid to equal opportunities dates from the first bargaining round conducted in the catering sector at the end of the eighties. In that period societal attention to the topic was combined with strong economic growth in the sector and the employers'wish to attract female employees. Especially re-entering women were expected to combine the right service-directed attitude with the willingness to work flexible hours. An infrastructure of (female) experts on equal opportunities from within the trade unions activated personal involvement of some (male) negotiators in the topic. During consecutive bargaining rounds framework agreements were concluded on affirmative action, parental leave, child-care provision and sexual harassment. Especially the fact that working groups of labour and management were set up on the last two topics contributed to the relatively successful outcome in respect of these arrangements.
Activation policies and social inclusion in Denmark and Portugal
Authors: Hespanha Pedro , Møller Iver Horneman
Published: January 2010

In recent years labour market policies have shifted from a philosophy of material compensation for the loss of a job to a philosophy of promoting new opportunities for employment through activation programmes for unemployed workers or social assistance recipients. The discourse of activation is compelling and it contains very positive arguments for the materialisation of basic social rights, or even of new social rights such as the right to work and to social insertion. Its practice, nonetheless, raises serious problems given its permeability to ethical, financial and bureaucratic distortions. In this article the inclusionary impact of activation programmes for the unemployed is analysed in two quite different social and political contexts: Denmark and Portugal.
‘Our own worst enemy’ — French management and the 35-hour week
Authors: Bouffartigue Paul , Bouteiller Jacques
Published: January 2010

Having carried out a survey on how the reduction in working time has been implemented for management personnel in ‘pioneer’ companies in France — ahead of the second law on the 35-hour week — we explore the roots of the problems encountered, which basically relate to keeping up with a heavy workload. We look in detail at the sort of experiences these skilled workers have at work, and how there is every indication that other workers are also beginning to experience the same. Target and deadline constraints are internalised and dealt with in a relatively ‘independent’ manner: job interest, career commitment and the personal-challenge culture all encourage managers to be self-reliant in fulfilling their professional responsibilities and meeting their targets. However, individual feelings of professional guilt are not the only things to come out of this: managers also want to have a more regular relationship with their work and the company and exert collective control over the factors which determine workload.
Contesting the dinosaur image - the U. S. labor movement's search for a future
Authors: Hurd Richard W.
Published: January 2010

This article traces the declining membership and influence of US trade unions over the last two decades, faced with an onslaught of economic changes and political and employer hostility. Unions became widely perceived as anachronistic dinosaurs. It then considers the various steps taken under two AFL-CIO presidents to deal with the crisis. It argues that the move away from a ‘service model’ to an ‘organizing model', while not a panacea, has been a promising development and looks at the implications for relationships between the AFL-CIO leadership and local unions and for the unions’ strategy in the political sphere.
Labor's voice at the strategic level of the firm
Authors: McKersie Robert B.
Published: January 2010

Under the banner of partnership, many labor-management relationships in the U.S. have established structures for involving unions at the highest levels of the business. While no hard data are available, a significant number of partnerships have been in operation for a substantial period of time in a number of key sectors. This article assesses the staying power and significance of this development. Clearly, labor-management partnerships have great potential for improving productivity, employment security, and other outcomes of importance to the parties. However, their performance has been hampered by precipitous restructuring, leadership changes, and political pressures. Particular attention is given to union-nominated directors, a concept that could serve as a stimulus for the expansion of the partnership idea more generally.
Pacts for employment and competitiveness in the electricity sector
Authors: Telljohann Volker
Published: January 2010

The European Union Energy Sector Directive no. 96/62 laid down that Member States were to initiate a market liberalisation process in the electricity sector. In this context Pacts for Employment and Competitiveness (PEC) represent part of a strategy enterprises are adopting in order to face the challenge of managing the changeover from near-monopoly to internationally competitive structures. The article, based on ten case studies carried out in five EU Member States, looks at the thinking underlying these pacts, the changes at the level of collective bargaining, and how the PECs are interpreted by the parties involved: not only the contents of the PECs, but also the underlying motives, the processes of negotiation and the effects of the agreements. It points to areas in which PECs have been able to contribute to generating win-win situations, but also to possible ambiguities and contradictions linked to the negotiation and implementation of such pacts.
Collective bargaining, competitiveness and employment in the United States
Authors: Block Richard N.
Published: January 2010

This paper discusses collective bargaining in the United States over matters of job security, employment creation, and firm competitiveness. It first points out that US policy on economic issues is oriented toward facilitating the operation of markets; therefore, there is almost no public policy toward job security, employment creation, and competitiveness on which collective bargaining can build. Within the collective bargaining system, government policy merely enables unions and employers bargain over job security, employment creation, and firm competitiveness; it neither requires it nor even encourages it. Incidence of such use of collective bargaining thus varies by industry, with occasional use for competitiveness, but rare use for job creation. An exception is the automobile assembly industry, which is highlighted.
Financial participation is good for all including employees
Authors: Allouf Raymond
Published: January 2010

This introductory contribution by the Secretary General of the International Financial Participation Association sets out the case for financial participation of employees in the companies in which they work.
Developments and prospects of profit-sharing and employee share ownership in Europe
Authors: Poutsma Erik
Published: January 2010

The main objective of this contribution is to provide an account of the development during the 1990s of what has been called PEPPER. PEPPER is an acronym used by the European Commission that stands for Promotion of Employee Participation in Profit and Enterprise Results (including equity). This paper is based on a review of available international research and publications and interviews with country-experts. It makes an attempt to present a systematic overview of existing forms of employee financial participation and the preconditions for its existence. Special attention is given to the policies of governments of the EU Member States and the views of social partners that support or hinder the development of financial participation in Europe.
Employee share ownership and profit-sharing in the European Union: incidence, company characteristics, and union representation
Authors: Pendleton Andrew , Poutsma Erik , Brewster Chris , van Ommeren Jos
Published: January 2010

This article examines the incidence of financial participation across the European Union at the end of the 1990s. The main findings are that the incidence of both profit-sharing and share ownership differ considerably across member states and that this correlates broadly with the extent of differences in legislative and fiscal support for them. Other factors, such as domestic ownership, stock market listing, size (in the case of share ownership) and workforce composition, are also important. On the whole clear or strong relationships between union density and financial participation were not identified.
Company stock in U.S. financial participation plans — sound policy or a lottery ticket?
Authors: Hildebrandt David A. , Ferrigno Edward
Published: January 2010

This article discusses the use of employer stock as the primary investment for employees’ retirement savings in U.S. tax-qualified financial participation plans. The principle U.S. government policy in support of tax-qualified financial participation plans is the promotion of an employee's accumulation of assets for retirement. For more than a century, the use of employer stock to fund financial participation plans in the U.S. has been a successful partnership for employees and employers. The recent bankruptcy of ENRON, one of the largest U.S. energy companies, has brought the debate on this issue into a new phase. The paper asks the question: Did the U.S. system fail or did ENRON plan administrators fail to follow the rules of the system?
Private sector services: challenges to European trade unions
Authors: Dølvik Jon Erik , Waddington Jeremy
Published: January 2010

This article maps the challenges faced by European trade unions arising from the growth and diversification of employment in private sector services, and analyses union responses to these challenges. Focusing on recruitment, internal interest intermediation, and articulation between the central and local tiers of union activity, it shows that many unions are making considerable efforts to renew their organisational structures and policies, so as to reverse the decline in membership and strengthen their workplace presence in private sector services. Approaches include union mergers, extension of collective bargaining into new areas, development of new styles of organising, digital unions, and creation of unions for particular groups. A critical issue is how to combine the differentiation and decentralisation of unions with coordination of union objectives: union renewal is a contested process, implying difficult choices as regards target groups and internal power relations. The article suggests that although the reforms have been insufficient to turn the tide thus far, the breadth of change cautions against precipitate judgements about the demise of unionism in private sector services.
The job creation potential of the service sector in Europe
Authors: Anxo Dominique , Storrie Donald
Published: January 2010

This article analyses the drivers of and barriers to service employment growth and reviews available policy options. Commending development of the industry-service nexus, skills, and facilitation of female employment, the authors also suggest measures to support labour mobility and to enhance the tradability of services within the single European market, which may stir controversy among trade unionists.
Service economies in Europe - challenges for employment policy and trade union activities
Authors: Bosch Gerhard , Wagner Alexandra
Published: January 2010

This contribution discusses how service-employment growth can be promoted. After considering some methodological issues in the comparison of service societies, the EU countries are compared in respect of the degree of tertiarisation of their economies, on the basis of which a typology of European service societies is developed. The authors then identify, with reference to empirical data, the driving forces behind the growth of service employment in the EU countries. A central result of the analysis is that service employment does not automatically increase with continued economic growth, but is more closely tied to social innovations than is commonly thought. The authors argue for an orientation model of service employment in the future that both meets employees’ interests in high-quality employment, adequate earned income and social protection, and is economically feasible and socially acceptable. European service societies differ clearly from the US model, and the European model is closely linked to strong trade unions and forms of social dialogue.
Developments in household services in Europe: working conditions and labour relations
Authors: Yeandle Sue
Published: January 2010

Drawing on a study of employment in household services in eight EU states, the article summarises some of the factors stimulating growing demand for these services, and argues that they are an important part of the necessary infrastructure of everyday life for Europe's citizens. The nature of the work performed by those working in this sector is analysed, and the important skills required of household services workers if high quality services are to be delivered are examined. The article concludes by drawing attention to the need for the social partners to address a number of urgent policy issues, including pay and conditions, the need for more attractive career structures and problems of labour supply, taking into account the particular challenges for both collective bargaining and regulation in this sector.