bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Progressive Income Taxes Stabilizing?
Authors: DROMEL NICOLAS L. , PINTUS PATRICK A.
Published: May 2008

We assess the stabilizing effect of progressive income taxes in a monetary economy with constant returns to scale. It is shown that tax progressivity reduces, in parameter space, the likelihood of local indeterminacy, sunspots and cycles. However, considering plausibly low levels of tax progressivity does not ensure saddle‐point stability and preserves as robust the occurrence of sunspot equilibria and endogenous cycles. It turns out that increasing progressivity, through its impact on after‐tax income, makes labor supply more inelastic. However, even when large, tax progressivity does not neutralize the effects of expected inflation on current labor supply which may lead to expectation‐driven business fluctuations.
Unequal Contributions from Symmetric Agents in a Local Interaction Model
Authors: CORAZZINI LUCA , GIANAZZA UGO
Published: May 2008

The main findings of the theory on the private provision of public goods under the assumptions of symmetric agents and normality are that (1) there exists a unique Nash equilibrium in which everybody contributes the same; and (2) this pattern is stable. We show that these findings no longer hold in a context characterized by local interaction. In this context, it is always possible to find preferences satisfying the assumption of normality such that the symmetric Nash equilibrium is unstable, and there exist asymmetric Nash equilibria which are locally stable.
Detection Avoidance and Deterrence: Some Paradoxical Arithmetic
Authors: LANGLAIS ERIC
Published: May 2008

This paper extends Malik's analysis to the case where criminals' avoidance efforts and public expenditures in the detection of criminals are strategic complements in the aggregate technology of control of illegal behaviors. In this set up, we show that whenever criminals' avoidance efforts are more sensitive to the frequency than to the severity of sanctions, it is always socially efficient to set the fine at the maximal possible level. However, several paradoxical consequences occur: there may exist overdeterrence at optimum; more repressive policies lead to fewer arrests of offenders while more crimes may be committed; at the same time, the society may be closer to the first best number of crimes.
Useful Government Spending and Macroeconomic (In)stability under Balanced‐Budget Rules
Authors: GUO JANG‐TING , HARRISON SHARON G.
Published: May 2008

It has been shown that an otherwise standard one‐sector real business cycle model may exhibit indeterminacy and sunspots under a balanced‐budget rule that consists of fixed and “wasteful” government spending and proportional income taxation. However, the economy always displays saddle‐path stability and equilibrium uniqueness if the government finances endogenous public expenditures with a constant income tax rate. In this paper, we allow for productive or utility‐generating government purchases in either of these specifications. It turns out that the previous indeterminacy results remain unchanged by the inclusion of useful government spending. By contrast, the earlier determinacy results are overturned when public expenditures generate sufficiently strong production or consumption externalities. Our analysis thus illustrates that a balanced‐budget policy recommendation which limits the government's ability to change tax rates does not necessarily stabilize the economy against belief‐driven business cycle fluctuations.
Tax Rate Variability and Public Spending as Sources of Indeterminacy
Authors: LLOYD‐BRAGA TERESA , MODESTO LEONOR , SEEGMULLER THOMAS
Published: May 2008

We consider a constant returns to scale, one sector economy with segmented asset markets of the Woodford type. We analyze the role of public spending, financed by labor income and consumption taxation, on the emergence of indeterminacy. We find that what is relevant for indeterminacy is the variability of the distortion introduced by government intervention. We show that the degree of public spending externalities in preferences affects the combinations between the tax rate and its variability under which indeterminacy occurs. Moreover, we find that consumption taxes can lead to local indeterminacy when asset markets are segmented.
Effectiveness of Weighted Majority Rules with Random Decision Power Distribution
Authors: BEREND DANIEL , CHERNYAVSKY YURI
Published: May 2008

There is a large body of research studying the conditions under which majority decisions are best. In particular, in many circumstances, the probability of a group to decide correctly is higher than that of a random subgroup. Moreover, the latter probability increases as the subgroup size grows. Here we generalize those results by showing that, in the same setup, the simple majority rule is the most effective of all weighted majority rules when weights are distributed randomly between group members. For special families of weighted majority rules, rule effectiveness increases as we get “closer” to the simple majority rule.
An Alternative Approach to Valence Advantage in Spatial Competition
Authors: HOLLARD GUILLAUME , ROSSIGNOL STÉPHANE
Published: May 2008

This paper explores a two‐candidate spatial voting model, where one candidate has a valence advantage. Contrary to previous models, we introduce a multiplicative advantage, rather than an additive one. This takes into account the possible interaction between the quality of a candidate and his policy platform. This leads to a strikingly different model, in which all extreme voters support the favored candidate.
Heterogeneity Gap in Stable Jurisdiction Structures
Authors: BOGOMOLNAIA ANNA , LE BRETON MICHEL , SAVVATEEV ALEXEI , WEBER SHLOMO
Published: May 2008

This paper examines a model of multijurisdiction formation where individuals' characteristics are uniformly distributed over a finite interval. Every jurisdiction locates a public facility and distributes its cost equally among the residents. We consider the notions of Nash and local Nash stability, and examine the existence and characterization of stable partitions. The main feature of this analysis is that, even under the uniform distribution, there are stable structures that exhibit a high degree of heterogeneity of jurisdictional sizes.
STATIONARY AND NON‐STATIONARY STATE SPACE MODELS
Authors: Jong Pidt de , Chu‐Chun‐Lin Singfat
Published: May 2008

Abstract. The concepts of time invariance, stationarity, non‐stationarity and immemorial time are considered for state space models (SSMs). Necessary and sufficient conditions for stationarity are given and connected with standard conditions. Expressions are given for the unconditional mean and covariance matrix of the state of a time‐immemorial SSM. Application of the results is made to a variety of theoretical and empirical models and the initialization of the Kalman filter in the non‐stationary case and for the ARIMA (p, d, q) model.
Economics of Supply of Canada's Military Manpower
Authors: LIGHTMAN ERNIE S.
Published: May 2008

Three key generalizations emerge from this study:

Economic factors can, in certain cases, be important in attracting applicants to other ranks of the Canadian armed forces. Sensitivity to the state of the civilian economy would appear to be greatest for the air force, where the average quality level of applicants in the labor force is highest. The impact of relative wages, as measured here, is substantially larger than that of unemployment.

Traditional and cultural considerations are also relevant. Previous historical and sociological research is supported regarding Quebec's negative attitudes towards the navy. Attitudes towards the army are less clear, as data shortcomings prevent precise interpretation of the regional dummy variables. There are also distinct seasonal patterns in application rates to each service.

Important differences in attitudes and quality of applicants were found among army, navy, and air force recruits. With the operational unification of Canada's three services into a single armed force in 1968, implications for recruitment remain an open question.
Direct Labor Market Effects of Unemployment Insurance
Authors: FIELDS GARY S.
Published: May 2008

It has been established that relatively high income families receive a disproportionately large share of UI benefits. Little information on the distribution of costs by income class is available, but it is quite possible that the upper income groups may also bear a disproportionately large share of the costs. More empirical research is needed before the redistributive effects of UI can be known with any degree of confidence.

There is little argument about the desirability on income mainlenance grounds of extending Unemployment insurance benefits in a recessionary period, all other things being equal. U1 is quite efficient as an income maintenance tool for covered workers. With respect to the unemployment problem, though, it is feared by some that the program goes too far in maintaining the incomes of covered workers, and as a result any extension of UI benefits will aggravate the unemployment problem. The evidence presented here suggests that fears of a major increase in unemployment as a result of such changes are largely unwarranted. However, extended UI benefits would appear to have some small, nontrivial adverse impact on unemployment. Finally, it seems that UI's income distributional impact has been portrayed unjustly as pro‐rich. It may be that income is transferred through the UI system from the relatively well‐to‐do to the relatively poor.

There is no scientific way of bringing these considerations to bear in deciding whether or not to restructure the unemployment insurance system. This question can be answered only by invoking fundamental value judgments to decide how sociely would be better off, and I would not presume here to offer my own. This paper will have served its purpose if it has provided the basis for a more informed decision.
Testing a Behavioral Theory Model of Labor Negotiations
Authors: PETERSON RICHARD B. , TRACY LANE
Published: May 2008

The Behavioral Theory we have developed stands up well and helps us gain a better feeling for the behavioral dynamics of collective bargaining. As expected, economic variables such as bargaining power and the estimated cost and probability of a work stoppage are important determinants of bargaining behavior. Nevertheless, the variables have a differential effect on bargaining goals, with strong bargaining power and low probability of a strike contributing to both distributive and integrative bargaining, whereas high expected costs of a strike help to persuade constituents to support their negotiators (intraorganizational bargaining). Thus we see the roie of intraorganizational bargaining as an alternative to being able to obtain a better settlement from the opponents.

Attitudinal structuring seems to be more closely tied to integrative bargaining than was indicated by Walton and McKersie. Furthermore, there seems to be less direct conflict between the tactics used in integrative bargaining and those used in distributive bargaining than predicted by theory. Perhaps the mixed nature of most bargaining keeps the majority of negotiators from applying all‐out distributive tactics. At any rate, strong bargaining power, constructive relationships, clear and specific statements of issues, as well as exploring them in a noncommital fashion, seem to aid both distributive and integrative bargaining.

We uncovered a number of relationships which varied significantly according to the side (labor or management) and/or team role (chief negotiator or other team member) of the respondent. Although we feel they should be included in the theory of bargaining as moderator variables, and have thus included them in our model, we have only hinted at their impact in this paper.

Overall, bargaining behavior and conditions seem to have as much effect on bargaining success as do the economic variables. Of course, we did not measure every possible economic variable, but neither did we examine all possible tactics. Our study confirms that collective bargaining is an interpersonal, attitudinal process as well as an economic one and that there are several distinct goals for the process. We have also demonstrated that, despite problems of locating current negotiations and obtaining an adequate rate of response, field study of the behavioral aspects of collective bargaining is feasible. We hope that investigations along this line will continue.
Sex and Interoccupational Wage Differences in Israel
Authors: IZRAELI DAFNA NUNDI , GAIER KALMAN
Published: May 2008

An examination of the influence of the sex identification of an occupation on earnings reveals that: (1) male occupations earn more than female occupations; (2) nonsegregated occupations tend to be more similar in earnings to female than to male occupations; (3) the majority of female occupations earn below the mean for occupations at each level of education; the inverse is true for male occupations; (4) men in female occupations earn less than they do in male occupations; and (5) women in male occupations do not consistently earn more than women in female occupations at comparable levels of education. Our data indicate that they tend to gravitate toward the lower earning male occupations.

These findings support the hypothesis that in Israel, as elsewhere, occupational segregation is an important factor underlying earning differentials between women and men. Wage differentials are the result not only of differences in human capital resources, but also of unequal opportunities within the occupational structure. The division of labor by sex does not cause inequality—rather it permits the perpetuation of a system of social relations in which the work women do is allocated inferior status and economic rewards. The social forces which produce and sustain this reality are worthy of further investigation.
Unionism and Employer Discrimination: Analysis of 8(a)(3) Violations
Authors: KLEINER MORRIS M.
Published: May 2008

Summary and Conclusions

The choice model of firm violations of section 8(a)(3) of the NLRA specified here was tested for the period 1972–1979 using a sample of firms from the New York and American Stock Exchange. The results show that previous violations of this section of the Act, relative per cent of union organization, and changes in firm employment are statistically significant determinants of the marginal benefits of violations. These findings generally support union officials' claims that the penalties in the Act are not strong deterrents to management violations and may be considered a relatively low cost of doing business. However, assertions by union officials that product market factors are important in firm decisions to violate the Act are not supported. In addition, the results do not support NLRB officials' belief that firms that commit violations are not likely to commit them again.

The fact that there are no significant differences in violations by firms in our sample as a result of product market variables or industry implies that ethical considerations may be a factor in choosing to violate the Act. Since current penalties are low, and past violations are significant in determining current violators, an increase in penalties may reduce violations by those who do not consider the ethical implications of the Act. If the intent of the current NLRA is to reduce the coercion of employees by employers, an amendment to increase the economic costs to employers seems indicated.
Factors Affecting Perceptions of Smallest Meaningful Pay Increases
Authors: VARADARAJAN POONDI , FUTRELL CHARLES
Published: May 2008

This analysis suggests that an individual's current level of earnings may be one of the most important variables influencing his/her perception of incremental increases. Also, job difficulty (measured in terms of the average number of nights spent away from home per month on job‐related duties) contributes significantly to the explanation of SMPI for both the organizational recognition group and the monetary considerations group. For the ORG group, the pay increase an individual finds meaningful appears to be influenced as well by job input factors such as total work experience, tenure in present job, tenure with present employer, and age. These results support the hypothesis that individuals with relatively high levels of training and experience and higher current earnings will tend to have higher expectations with regard to salary increases than will others, and that these expectations in turn will be reflected in higher thresholds of what is perceived as the smallest meaningful pay increase.

Overall, much of the evidence supports the hypothesis that the predictors of SMPI will be different for the ORG and MCG groups. However, the relatively small size of the MCG sample and the associated problem of multicollinearity dictate caution in generalizing our results.* In addition, our study suffers from problems related to model underspecification, insofar as some of the explanatory variables identified in Lawler's model of pay satisfaction were not considered.
Interstate vs. Interprovincial Differences in Union Density
Authors: MELTZ NOAH M.
Published: May 2008

Union density in Canada is approximately twice that in the United States. The range of densities from high to low states/provinces is much smaller, however: 2:1 in Canada vs. 6:1 in the U.S. After adjusting for differences in industry distribution of employment, this study finds that the major source of interstate and interprovincial differences is private sector density. Most of the low union density states have right‐to‐work laws, while the greater the comprehensiveness of state bargaining laws, the higher the public sector density. In Canada, where all public and private sector employees have the right to bargain, there is a higher average level of public and private sector densities and a smaller range for both. The more supportive labor legislation in Canada may be associated with the existence of labor‐oriented political parties at the provincial level.
Trade Agreement vs. Open Shop: Employers' Choices before WWI
Authors: HAYDU JEFFREY
Published: May 2008

Neither cultural individualism nor hostility to craft control adequately explains American employers' rejection of collective bargaining before World War I. Evidence from selected cases in the U.S. and Britain suggests both that open‐shop policies and trade agreements helped employers manage workplace conflict amid major changes in production practices, and that the relative timing and pace of changes in technology, market structure, and union growth shaped employers' choices.
Unionization and Job Design Under Programmable Automation
Authors: KELLEY MARYELLEN R.
Published: May 2008

New findings from an original national survey indicate that machining jobs include major computer programming responsibilities far more commonly than received labor process theory would lead us to expect or predict. In unionized plants, workers are less likely to program their machines, perhaps because of management's desire to avoid the constraints imposed by collective bargaining agreements. Among recent adopters of the technology, informal bargaining through joint labor‐management problem‐solving committees neutralizes this negative union effect.
Technological Innovation and Employment in Telecommunications
Authors: LYNCH LISA M. , OSTERMAN PAUL
Published: May 2008

In this paper we examine how the diffusion of technological innovation in the telecommunications industry influences employment levels across occupations and how a firm chooses among alternative personnel mechanisms to reach its target employment levels. We find that technological change has influenced the demand for different types of workers and has centralized office functions. The adjustment patterns to these demand changes differ by the union status, tenure, age, and gender composition of the affected occupations.
Spanning the Union/Nonunion Boundary
Authors: CAPPELLI PETER , SHERER PETER D.
Published: May 2008

Conflicts between the work boundaries established by union contracts and management's interest in efficient work flows have increased sharply as new technology and new management practices make traditional divisions in the organization of work obsolete. We use concepts from organizational theory to examine these conflicts and an innovative attempt to resolve them by defining union boundaries not on the basis of tasks performed, but rather on the basis of employment; the union contract applies to specific workers instead of job titles. This system provides greater flexibility and autonomy for employees, and the results of an attitude survey suggest that it is strongly preferred by workers who feel constrained by traditional union contracts.
Market Structure, Strike Activity, and Union Wage Settlements
Authors: ABOWD JOHN M. , TRACY JOSEPH S.
Published: May 2008

We attempt a synthesis of the industrial relations market structure hypothesis with the modern asymmetric information theory of wage and strike outcomes. The industrial relations literature contains arguments indicating that wage settlements should be positively related to the degree of product market sales concentration and the degree of product market coverage by the union. In our empirical analysis of the periods 1970–1980 (strikes) and 1976–1980 (wages), we find that the relation between trade‐adjusted sales concentration and wage settlements is positive at low and intermediate levels of concentration but negative at the highest levels of concentration. The relation is always negative for strike probabilities. We also find that the trade‐adjusted per cent of the product market covered by the same union and the percentage covered by other unions are positively related to both wage settlements and strike probabilities.
Wage Structure and Dynamics in the Electronics Industry
Authors: LEONARD JONATHAN S.
Published: May 2008

This study analyzes wage patterns over time among California electronics employers. While the range of wages paid is substantial, employers on average make only small departures from market wage that are not pervasive across occupations or persistent across time. Employers appear able to change employment levels without affecting wages. Internal wage relativities also appear flexible. Differences between administered wage scales and actual wages paid are used to distinguish wage policy from market outcomes.
British Evidence on The Employment Effects of Profit Sharing
Authors: JONES DEREK C. , PLISKIN JEFFREY
Published: May 2008

A sample of British firms with diverse sharing arrangements is used to investigate the effects of profit sharing on employment levels. Employment effects are sometimes significant, but this depends upon the measure of profit sharing, how the dynamics are modeled, and whether measures of employee participation in decision making are included in the estimating equation. Using a continuous measure of profit sharing, employment effects, which typically range from ‐6 per cent to 6 per cent, are much more modest than those obtained by some other researchers. Most findings are not dramatically affected by estimating the specifications separately for discrete time periods, for individual industries, or for larger firms.
Improving Productivity and Quality Through Collaboration
Authors: COOKE WILLIAM N.
Published: May 2008

This study examines the impact of joint labor‐management activities on perceived changes in productivity and quality, while controlling for the exercise of relative power options. Ordered probit estimates yield general support for the central proposition that the greater the intensity of joint activities, the greater the productivity and quality improvements. Mixed results are obtained regarding the impact of capital substitution, subcontracting, and concession bargaining on performance in collaborative settings.
Macroeconomic Conditons and HRM‐IR Practice
Authors: MITCHELL DANIEL J.B. , ZAIDI MAHMOOD A.
Published: May 2008

Although macroeconomic developments may seem removed from the world of micro‐level HRM‐IR practices, such practices are heavily influenced by the macro economy. Wage and price inflation, for example, are closely related, and the general state of the economy influences decisions on hiring, layoffs, and hours. The labor market's tendency toward periods of extended labor surplus or shortage condition the nature of the employer‐employee relationship. Economic circumstances affect the labor relations climate and that climate has a bearing on national productivity trends. Government policy in the future may seek to encourage certain kinds of compensation systems, such as profit sharing, for macro reasons. HRM‐IR practitioners, too, may benefit by reconsidering policies which make wages relatively inflexible.
The Economics of Internal Labor Markets
Authors: WACHTER MICHAEL L. , WRIGHT RANDALL D.
Published: May 2008

Our essay focuses on the economics of long‐term contractual relationships between a firm and its employees, referred to as the internal labor market. We review the economics literature on match‐specific investments, risk aversion, asymmetric information, and transaction costs. We argue that an integrated treatment of all four factors is needed in order to apply implicit contract theoy to internal labor markets. Integrating the topics also highlights the tradeoffs created among these factors. Our discussion stresses contract enforcement mechanisms, including self‐enforcing contracts and third‐party enforcement.
Pensions and Deferred Befefits as Strategic Compensation
Authors: LAZEAR EDWARD P.
Published: May 2008

This paper examines labor‐oriented aspects of pensions and deferred benefits. Recent work has embedded pensions in the framework of optimal compensation schemes that induce workers to behave in certain ways. Most pension formaulas present workers with securities that look like optioons the tendency for turnover rates to fall as vesting approaches, even though there has been no change in the naive valuation of pension accrual. The paper also discusses the use of pensions as severance pay and notes that the various pension formaulas have different incentive effects.
The Economics of Unions and Collective Bargaining
Authors: FLANAGAN ROBERT J.
Published: May 2008

This paper reviews recent research on the economics of unions and collective bargaining, emphasizing the implications for human resource management. Research findings on the impact of unions, strategic union avoidance behavior by management, strategic use of labor law by unions and employers, and conflict and conflict resolution in labor relations are discussed. The paper highlights unexploited connections between research on unioun impact and research on strategic behavior.
The New Institutionalism: What Can It Learn from the OLD?
Authors: JACOBY SANFORD M.
Published: May 2008

The new institutional labor economics is a promising development, but it has faults that could be remedied by an infusion of theoretical and methodological insights from the old institutional approach. This claim is illustrated by a critical analysis of three key concepts: asset specificity, defefrred rewards, and opportunism. The essay concludes with a set of methodological precepts to guide future research.
Introduction: Labor Market Institutions and the Future Role of Unions
Authors: BOGNANNO MARIO F. , KLEINER MORRIS M.
Published: May 2008

Government regulations and business policies affecting employee relations are on an up ward trend, whereas the role of organized labor in private‐sector industrial relations is on a downward trend. The significance of the displacement of private‐sector unions in this transformation is not sufficiently addressed in the literature. The papers in this volume, summarized in this introduction, partly respond to this unmet need. We conclude with an agenda for future research about the labor movement, unions, and government in industrial relations
The Future Role of Government in Industrial Relations
Authors: MARSHALL RAY
Published: May 2008

The future role of government in industrial relations depends on the choices made by employers, workers, and especially governments. Technological change and internationalization have reduced the viability of both Keynesian economics and the mass production system, once integrally related to the industrial relations systems of industrialized democracies after the 1930s. Economic success will require new policies and high‐performance systems more appropriate for a global, knowledge‐intensive economic environment
The Challenge of Human Resources Development
Authors: DUNLOP JOHN T.
Published: May 2008

A productive workforce depends on a country's educational system, the quality of its health care, training and retraining opportunities, its family policy, its labor policies with or without unions, and the quality of public services. On all counts, a significant portion of the U.S. workforce is in serious trouble. Numerous community cases and experience abroad teach that ideological boundaries in the United States inhibit the formation of new partnerships, coalitions, and forums essential to the development of more productive human resources
Unionism in the United States and Other Advanced OECD Countries
Authors: BLANCHFLOWER DAVID G. , FREEMAN RICHARD B.
Published: May 2008

In this paper we compare the changing pattern of unionization in OECD countries, reviewing existing evidence and presenting new information on union‐nonunion differentials in labor market outcomes in these countries. Our principal source of information are the micro data files of the International Social Survey Programme cross‐country surveys of 1985–87. Our analysis shows that U.S. unions have a larger effect on wages than on other outcomes than unions in other OECD countries, and we argue that the high union premium in the United States has contributed to the decline in union density and divergence of the US. industrial relations system
Firm Investment Behavior and Collective Bargaining Strategy
Authors: HIRSCH BARRY T.
Published: May 2008

Using survey data on labor union coverage at the firm level, this paper examines union‐nonunion differences in investment activity among 706 U.S. companies during the 1970s. Consistent with a model of union rent seeking, firm‐level collective bargaining is associated with significantly lower physical capital and R&D investment, even after controlling for firm and industry characteristics. Deleterious union effects on investment are considerable throughout the 1972–80 period, but they vary across industries. Without significant changes in collective bargaining power or strategies, diminished investment activity by unionized companies is likely to exacerbate the already considerable decline in U.S. union coverage
Future Unions
Authors: REID JOSEPH D.
Published: May 2008

Private‐sector unions are losing their monopoly appeal because of international competition. While their voice appeal is rising among less skilled and assimilated workers, who are increasingly predominant in mass production, unions are declining among more skilled workers, who are increasingly participating in business decisions on the job. In addition, public‐sector unions are evolving from being the tools of their politician‐employers into traditional monopoly unions
Enterprise Unions in the United States
Authors: JACOBY SANFORD M. , VERMA ANIL
Published: May 2008

Through a case study of a large industrial company (TRW), this paper examines the history and functioning of independent local unions (ILUs). TRW's ILU plant wages were about the same as those at affiliated union plants and higher than those at nonunion plants. The premium explains why TRW and other companies discarded ILUs in favor of a “new” nonunion model. Yet ILUs can remedy some of the defects in that model and thus belong on the policy and research agenda
Advance Notice: From Voluntary Exchange to Mandated Benefits
Authors: ADDISON JOHN T. , PORTUGAL PEDRO
Published: May 2008

This paper examines the controversy surrounding advance notice within the framework of a simple jobless duration model that is based on the differential search intensity of notified and nonnotified workers. The determinants of notice are also analyzed to evaluate whether the observed benefits are a chimera produced by sample selection, and a procedure is outlined for calculating the effects of mandatory notice using voluntary notice data
Incentive and Redistributive Effects of Private‐Sector Union Pension Plans in Canada
Authors: PESANDO JAMES E. , GUNDERSON MORLEY , SHUM PAULINE
Published: May 2008

Using data for pension plans in the private sector for males in Canada, this paper examines flat benefit plans, which predominate in the union sector, documenting their work and retirement incentives, the extent to which retroactive enrichments redistribute wealth within union membership, and the impact of anticipated enrichments on the timing of early retirement decisions
Multinational corporations and industrial relations research: A road less travelled
Authors: Collings David G.
Published: May 2008

While there is a large body of academic debate surrounding human resource management issues in multinational corporations (MNCs), industrial relations (IR) issues often fail to receive the same degree of attention. This paper attempts to move the debate forward by critically reviewing some of the key debates surrounding IR in an international context. First, some key themes surrounding the comparison of industrial relations across borders and IR in multinational companies are delineated and defined. Then, the reasons why an international IR (IIR) perspective has been under‐represented in the literature to date are considered. The paper then explores the contribution which an IIR perspective can bring to the study of management practices in MNCs. This is discussed in terms of IIR's potential contribution as an alternative analytical approach and also differences in its substantive coverage. The impact of IR systems on MNC location and relocation decisions, key issues for employees, trade unions and managers of MNCs, is then discussed as an example of the former. The potential for, and evidence of, international collective bargaining as a potential counter‐balance to the power the MNC in the global environment is then considered as an example of a differing area of substantive coverage of IIR. Finally, some avenues for potential study are outlined.
Teamworking and organizational performance: A review of survey‐based research
Authors: Delarue Anne , Van Hootegem Geert , Procter Stephen , Burridge Mark
Published: May 2008

This paper presents a review of recent survey‐based research looking at the contribution of teamwork to organizational performance. In particular, it focuses on empirical studies in which both teamwork and performance are directly measured in a quantitative way. The paper begins by identifying four interrelated dimensions of teamwork effectiveness: attitudinal, behavioural, operational and financial. The first two represent transmission mechanisms by which organizational performance can be improved. The latter two provide direct measures of organizational outcomes. The review shows that teamworking has a positive impact on all four dimensions of performance. It also reveals that, when teamwork is combined with structural change, performance can be further enhanced. The paper concludes by highlighting some important research gaps that future studies could address.
Sympathetic Skin Responses From Frontal Region in Migraine Headache: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yildiz SK , Yildiz N , Korkmaz B , Altunrende B , Gezici AR , Alkoy S
Published: May 2008

Frontal sympathetic skin responses (F-SSRs) were recorded to investigate sympathetic nervous system activity in migraine headache (MH). Thirty-five patients with unilateral MH and 10 healthy volunteers were studied by evoking bilateral F-SSRs with electrical stimulation of the median nerve in attack, post-attack and interictal periods. The mean latencies were longer and the maximum amplitudes were smaller on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side ( P < 0.05 for both amplitude and latency) in attack and in interictal periods. In five patients, F-SSRs were absent bilaterally, in four patients the responses were absent only on the symptomatic side during the attack period. In the post-attack period, F-SSRs on the symptomatic side had higher amplitudes and shorter latencies compared with the asymptomatic side ( P < 0.01 for both amplitude and latency). There is an asymmetric sympathetic hypofunction on the symptomatic side in attack and interictal periods, whereas there is a hyperfunction in the post-attack period.
Cervical Muscle Co-Activation in Isometric Contractions is Enhanced in Chronic Tension-Type Headache Patients
Authors: Fernández-de-las-Peñas C , Falla D , Arendt-Nielsen L , Farina D
Published: May 2008

The purpose of the study was to compare the co-activation of cervical agonist and antagonist muscles between people with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and healthy controls during brief isometric cervical flexion and extension contractions. Nine women with CTTH and 10 matched controls participated. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were detected from the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles bilaterally during cervical flexion and extension contractions of linearly increasing force from 0% to 60% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in 3 s. Sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis EMG average rectified values (ARV) were estimated at 10% MVC force increments. During cervical extension contraction, sternocleidomastoid (i.e. antagonist muscle) ARV was greater for patients than for controls in the force range 20-60% MVC ( P = 0.029). During cervical flexion, the left splenius capitis (i.e. antagonist muscle) ARV was greater for CTTH patients regardless of the force level ( P = 0.02). Maximum cervical flexion and extension force was lower for the CTTH patients compared with controls ( P = 0.001). In conclusion, women with CTTH demonstrated greater co-activation of antagonist musculature during cervical extension and flexion contractions compared with healthy women. Increased co-activation of antagonist musculature may reflect reorganization of the motor control strategy in CTTH patients, potentially leading to muscle overload and increased nociception.
Critical Climate: Relations Among Sexual Harassment, Climate, and Outcomes for High School Girls and Boys
Authors: Ormerod Alayne J. , Collinsworth Linda L. , Perry Leigh Ann
Published: May 2008

This study examined the relationships among peer-to-peer sexual harassment, school climate, adult-to-student harassment, and outcomes (psychological and physical well-being; school withdrawal and safety) for high school girls ( n = 310) and boys ( n = 259) recruited from seven public high schools in a Midwestern state. More frequent, severe peer harassment was associated with being female; holding climate perceptions that one's school is tolerant of the harassment of girls; and experiencing more frequent, severe harassment by school personnel. The correlates associated with outcomes varied by outcome, with climate exerting a consistent influence on boys’ outcomes. Girls’ outcomes were associated with climate, harassment, or both. Findings suggest that more frequent, severe experiences of sexual harassment in the schools are associated with direct, negative effects on girls and indirect, negative effects on boys and girls through a school climate that tolerates the harassment of girls.
The Sexual Well-Being of Women Who Have Experienced Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Lemieux Suzanne R. , Byers E. Sandra
Published: May 2008

The present study examined the association between child sexual abuse (CSA) and a range of positive and negative aspects of women's sexual well-being. We also investigated the extent to which women's cognitive-affective sexual appraisals mediated these relationships. Participants were 272 female community college and university students. CSA involving fondling only was generally not associated with adverse sexual outcomes. However, the women who had experienced CSA involving sexual penetration or attempted sexual penetration were (a) more likely to be sexually revictimized in adulthood; (b) more likely to have engaged in casual sex, unprotected sex, and voluntary sexual abstinence; and (c) reported fewer sexual rewards, more sexual costs, and lower sexual self-esteem. These findings held over and above the effects of nonsexual abuse in childhood, and as predicted, sexual self-esteem partially or fully mediated most of these relationships. Nonsexual abuse in childhood and adult sexual victimization were also uniquely associated with a number of adverse sexual outcomes. However, outcomes were not worse for women who had experienced CSA involving actual or attempted sexual penetration and sexual assault in adulthood. The results highlight the fact that CSA is a serious and widespread problem with significant implications for adult women's sexual functioning.
Talking Back to the Media Ideal: The Development and Validation of the Critical Processing of Beauty Images Scale
Authors: Engeln-Maddox Renee , Miller Steven A.
Published: May 2008

This article details the development of the Critical Processing of Beauty Images Scale (CPBI) and studies demonstrating the psychometric soundness of this measure. The CPBI measures women's tendency to engage in critical processing of media images featuring idealized female beauty. Three subscales were identified using exploratory factor analysis and confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The Fake subscale assesses women's tendency to critique media images of women as being too perfect to be real. The Questioning/Accusing subscale assesses women's tendency to produce direct accusations suggesting that these types of images are harmful to women. The Too Thin subscale assesses the tendency to think models are too thin or eating disordered. Scores on all subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Evidence of convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity are presented. The CPBI may be useful in assessing the outcomes of media literacy efforts and explicating relationships between critical processing of beauty images and body image-related concerns.
Is Self-Objectification Related to Interoceptive Awareness? An Examination of Potential Mediating Pathways to Disordered Eating Attitudes
Authors: Myers Taryn A. , Crowther Janis H.
Published: May 2008

Although there has been considerable empirical support for Objectification Theory ( Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997 ), findings have been mixed regarding self-objectification's relationship to interoceptive awareness, an awareness of one's internal physical and emotional states. We examined whether interoceptive awareness mediated the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating attitudes, exploring more specifically the relative contributions of difficulties recognizing feelings of hunger and satiety versus emotions. College women ( N = 195) completed measures assessing self-objectification, interoceptive awareness, awareness of emotions, and disordered eating attitudes. Self-objectification correlated significantly more strongly with interoceptive awareness when internal cues about hunger and satiety were assessed. The relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating attitudes was partially mediated by interoceptive awareness. Results revealed that interoceptive awareness may best be captured by a measure that includes lack of awareness of both hunger and satiety and emotional states. Research and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Predictors and Effects of Self-Objectification in Lesbians
Authors: Haines Megan E. , Erchull Mindy J. , Liss Miriam , Turner Dixie L. , Nelson Jaclyn A. , Ramsey Laura R. , Hurt Molly M.
Published: May 2008

The majority of research on self-objectification has focused on heterosexual women's experiences. This study sought to examine experiences of self-objectification in lesbian women. A path model was developed to examine the relationships between participants’ feminist self-identification, levels of internalized heterosexism, objectified body consciousness, and the clinically relevant variables of negative eating attitudes and depression. As has been found with heterosexual women, body surveillance led to shame, which led to negative clinical outcomes. A direct path was also found between levels of surveillance and negative eating attitudes, consistent with previous research on self-objectification among lesbians. Feminist self-identification was not significantly related to the other variables, in contrast to previous research with heterosexual women. Internalized heterosexism was related to negative clinical outcomes, both indirectly through objectification variables and directly to depressive symptomatology. These results provide evidence that self-objectification and internalized heterosexism have negative impacts on the mental health of lesbian women.
Gender, Excessive Body Weight, and Psychological Well-Being in Adulthood
Authors: Bookwala Jamila , Boyar Jenny
Published: May 2008

We examined gender differences in the association between body mass index (BMI) and psychological well-being. Regression analysis involving 3,251 adults indicated that gender moderated the BMI–psychological well-being link. In follow-up analyses, higher BMI predicted lower psychological well-being only among women. When participants were categorized into 5 BMI groups, women reported lower psychological well-being than men in the overweight and obese I groups, but no gender differences were observed in the more seriously obese or normal-weight groups. Also, among women, all 4 groups with higher-than-normal BMI had lower psychological well-being than normal-weight women; for men, no significant differences were found across the 5 groups. These findings are discussed in relation to research on stigma theory and gender-differentiated cultural norms regarding weight.
Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Self-Defense Program: A Prospective Analysis of a Revised Protocol
Authors: Orchowski Lindsay M. , Gidycz Christine A. , Raffle Holly
Published: May 2008

The current study extends the development and evaluation of an existing and previously evaluated sexual assault risk reduction program with a self-defense component for college women ( N = 300). The program protocol was revised to address psychological barriers to responding assertively to risky dating situations, and a placebo-control group was utilized rather than a wait-list control group. Relative to the placebo-control group, the program was effective in increasing levels of self-protective behaviors, self-efficacy in resisting against potential attackers, and use of assertive sexual communication over a 4-month interim. Results also suggested reduction of incidence of rape among program participants over the 2-month follow-up. Implications for future development and evaluation of sexual assault risk reduction programming are presented.