International shipping and the developing countries

The existence of a strong cartel in shipping, operated by developed countries in their own interest, has long been a subject of resentment and criticism by the less developed countries. This paper describes the structure of international shipping, the way in which ‘Liners Conferences’ operate, the efforts of UNCTAD to get a better deal for the Third World, and the options open to developing countries to improve their relative economic position in this vital industry.     

Young people's perceptions of complaints procedures in local government

This study examined 46 young people aged 16–24 years and evaluated their knowledge and awareness of the formal complaints procedures used by local government. Two areas in Scotland, one city (Edinburgh) and one town (Stirling), were chosen to participate in the study. Six focus groups, three in each area, were carried out to identify the level of awareness among the respondents and to permit a cross‐section of educational backgrounds to be obtained. A questionnaire was used to assemble a profile on each participant. After analysis of the focus groups, a focused interview with the Corporate Complaints Officers from two councils was undertaken. Each interview incorporated an in‐depth discussion regarding the formal complaints procedure while focusing on the young people within their constituency. The research revealed that young people's knowledge and awareness of local government complaints procedures is low, regardless of educational background and area of residence. For a minority, social factors such as confidence and competence do play a role although it is mainly organizational barriers, such as lack of information and access, which are the main causes of the problem. A number of young people indicated that they would complain if they knew how to execute a complaint successfully. The service providers were knowledgeable that awareness is low among this age group.     

The Consequences of Appointment Methods and Party Control for Telecommunications Pricing

While the economic approach to the politics of regulation emphasizes the importance of organized economic interests in shaping policies, political institutions in which regulatory agencies are embedded may also have significant effects. By including both economic influences and characteristics of political institutions in a model of price setting by state regulators, this paper demonstrates that both shape regulatory behavior in the telecommunications industry. Whether commissioners are elected or appointed, whether they face confirmation by a legislature, and whether a single party controls both executive and legislative branches of state governments influence the level of prices charged for basic services.     

The role of memory in understanding and encouraging recycling behavior

This article explores the role of memory processes in two aspects of recycling behavior. First, traditional research in cognitive psychology, communication, and consumer behavior is discussed briefly as it relates to understanding how people learn why to recycle. More importantly, a recently emerging stream of memory research, examining memory processes in real-world contexts, is introduced as a conceptual basis for understanding how people remember when and how to recycle. Additionally, these ideas are integrated to help explain the results of past recycling research and to offer suggestions regarding future recycling programs. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cropping for plant-based agriculture

Concern is often expressed about systems of agriculture and questions are raised as to whether alternative systems might be an improvement. The Food Group of the Technology Policy Unit at the University of Aston, Birmingham, has been investigating the potential for a move to a vegetarian food production scheme for England and Wales.     

MEASURING NON-USE VALUE OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS USING THE CONTINGENT VALUATION METHOD: PROBLEMS OF INFORMATION AND COGNITION AND THE APPLICATION OF COGNITIVE QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN METHODS

Much interest now focuses on the use of the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to assess non-use value of environmental goods. The paper reviews recent literature and highlights particular problems of information provision and respondent knowledge, comprehension and cognition. These must be dealt with by economists in designing CVM surveys for eliciting non-use values. Cognitive Questionnaire Design Methods are presented which invoke concepts from psychology and tools from cognitive survey design (focus groups and verbal reports) to reduce a complex environmental good into a meaningful commodity that can be valued by respondents in a contingent market. This process is illustrated with examples from the authors' own research valuing alternative afforestation programmes.