Guest Editorial

This paper reports the results of a longitudinal study of the determinants of student performance on undergraduate accounting degree examinations. The educational background, demographic characteristics and financial/investment characteristics of a group of undergraduate students were determined in an attempt to explain differences in student performance in both first year and third year examinations. The results indicate that few of these background variables had a significant impact on examination performance and that the best predictor of third year performance was in fact performance in the first year examinations.     

Guest Editorial

This is an empirical and quantitative study of the validity of four kinds of distal explanatory factors in risk perception. In an initial study, personality constructs (Five Factor Model, Myers-Briggs Indicator of Jungian constructs and risk attitudes) were related to risk perception data (26 hazards). A relationship was found between emotional stability and risk perception, but none with Jungian constructs. One risk attitude dimension, 'Macho' risk willingness, was (negatively) related to demand for governmental risk mitigation. In a second study with a different sample, indices were constructed to measure the four World Views according to Cultural Theory (CT) as well as Group/Grid dimensions, New Age beliefs and the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) dimensions of Dunlap et al . Risk perception data were obtained with regard to 37 hazards, both general and personal risk. The respondents were a large representative sample of the Swedish population. Only about 5% of the variance of perceived risk was accounted for by Cultural Theory dimensions, considerably more by New Age beliefs and one of the NEP scales (eco-crisis). In a third study, data from the five Nordic countries were used to analyse the relationships between CT dimensions and risk perception. Only weak relations were found. The results are discussed in relation to other current work on models of risk perception and the question of what should be considered 'strong' evidence for a theory.     

Guest editorial

Against the broad background of existing “Earth law”, this article aims to provide an initial assessment of existing “Space law” to start the conversation about what is still needed from a legal perspective to best facilitate the ongoing “commercialisation of Outer Space”. This article considers the ongoing commercialisation of Outer Space primarily from a legal perspective, investigating the rol law (Earth law as well as Space law) and so-called “space lawyers” may be able to play in it. The focus of the article is to, first and foremost, raise some key questions that need (legal) consideration, without attempting to already provide answers to any of those questions. The article starts by addressing the relevance now of commercialisation of Outer Space and therefore the question asked in the title. It then goes on to briefly explore the existing Space law, highlighting separately the most relevant Space Treaties and Space Principles. Against that background, the article then reflects on what (if any) guidance this provides on the key concept of Space Property. In addition, the article also briefly addresses the 2001 Cape Town Convention on international interests in mobile equipment and explains why this convention, and in particular its Space Protocol, are also very relevant to consider in the context of the commercialisation of Outer Space. Finally, the article provides its initial assessment and ends with a number of concluding remarks.