Parenthood and wildland recreation consumption: An unexplored phenomenon

The effects of parenthood on consumer decision making have not been systematically studied in prior research of the wildland recreation phenomenon. The present study utilizes data from the most recent National Survey of Recreation to assess the direct effects of parenthood on wilderness-related or wildland outdoor recreation behavior. Additionally, a framework for the conceptualization of the interrelationship between human values, demographics, attitudes toward the environment, wildland management policy variables, attitudes toward wildland recreation, and wildland recreation consumption is proposed. The findings suggest that parenthood is an important variable in understanding wildland outdoor recreation consumption. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Two-stage stochastic integer programming: a survey

Stochastic integer programming is more complicated than stochastic linear programming, as will be explained for the case of the two-stage stochastic programming model. A survey of the results accomplished in this recent field of research is given.     

Die Moderation politischer Gesprächsrunden im Fernsehen

A great number of discussion programmes (talkshows) has been established on television. They constitute a popular medium for processes of political communication. Media critics have complained that the programmes lack substance and deform public discourse. The programmes’ quality partly depends on the performances of their hosts. Critics reproach them for an insufficient level of journalistic activity, for being too soft on their guests, and for being unable to ask adequate questions that would stimulate a rational discussion. While such criticism is widespread, there are but a few empirical studies that provide systematic quantitative data on these programmes. Most of the research in the field dealt with interviews and discussions directly before or after elections. This article, however, focuses on talkshow hosts’ performances in regular TV discussions by content analyzing ten editions each of »Sabine Christiansen«, »Berlin Mitte«, »Presseclub« and »19:zehn«. The study shows notable differences in journalistic activities between different hosts, but also between different editions of the same show. Although some critical evaluations of discussion programmes are supported, the analysis hints at the need to consider significant variations in the performance of political talkshow hosts.     

Corporate social responsibility communication: stakeholder information, response and involvement strategies

While it is generally agreed that companies need to manage their relationships with their stakeholders, the way in which they choose to do so varies considerably. In this paper, it is argued that when companies want to communicate with stakeholders about their CSR initiatives, they need to involve those stakeholders in a two-way communication process, defined as an ongoing iterative sense-giving and sense-making process. The paper also argues that companies need to communicate through carefully crafted and increasingly sophisticated processes. Three CSR communication strategies are developed. Based on empirical illustrations and prior research, the authors argue that managers need to move from 'informing' and 'responding' to 'involving' stakeholders in CSR communication itself. They conclude that managers need to expand the role of stakeholders in corporate CSR communication processes if they want to improve their efforts to build legitimacy, a positive reputation and lasting stakeholder relationships.     

Entrepreneurial activity in the informal economy: a missing piece of the entrepreneurship jigsaw puzzle

This paper takes stock of the current debate around the informal sector and informal entrepreneurship. Informal entrepreneurship represents a worldwide characteristic of entrepreneurial activity, the main distinguishing feature of which is that it is operating outside the law. Since what is legal can vary considerably between countries, studies of entrepreneurship which exclude informal activity must be considered partial. Moreover, it can be argued that the distinction between formal and informal is not black and white but rather shades of grey. Although informal economic activity is often more prominent in developing countries and transition economies, it is by no means confined to them. There are parts of the UK, for example, where local economies are dependent upon informal employment and for many goods and services. More generally, much of the home-based economic activities, such as cleaning, painting and decorating and other services, are typically provided, at least partially, in the informal sector. As a consequence, it is difficult to argue against including informal activity as part of the study of entrepreneurship, and particularly where the entrepreneurial potential of an economy is being assessed.