Press Freedom

In this important study, commissioned by the International Federation of the Periodical Press, Lord McGregor analyses the controversy surrounding the possibility and desirability of a new world information and communication order. Drawing critically from research into mass communications, he argues forcefully that the policies which are being promoted through UNESCO are a grave threat to press freedom. As it is, the number of nations enjoying freedom in the dissemination of news, ideas and knowledge has declined to a figure now variously estimated pessimistically at little more than 20 and even optimistically at below 40. Lord McGregor comments sardonically that by regretting this decline and arguing in favour of press freedom his contribution to the debate will be widely seen as ‘heavily biased’.     

Consumer transactions with SMEs: implications for consumer scholars

Historically, the consumer movement has defined business as big business. This paper proposes that we shift the focus to consumer transactions with small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). After SMEs are defined, facts about the realities of SMEs are used as stepping stones to develop the idea that consumer interactions with SMEs are different than those with large firms and merit the attention of consumer scholars. Thirteen recommendations are tendered for future research including rethinking our traditional approach to consumer behaviour theory, consumer policy, and consumer movement theory.     

Performance auditing—addressing real or perceived expectation gaps in the public sector

The growth of performance auditing in Australia (and in many other countries) has led to a range of seemingly conflicting observations about their contribution to better public administration, which basically reflect differing political and public expectations of such audits. Confusion also revolves around the question of just what value is being assessed, reflecting differing perceptions of assurance and performance and of the coverage of administrative and policy effectiveness. A better understanding of what needs to be achieved by those responsible and acceptance of accountability for the required results would improve confidence in public administration and in the value that it delivers.     

Neoliberalism and health care

Within the context of globalization, health care reform is occurring around the world. This paper explores the neoliberal mind set shaping health care reform in the UK, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand. Neoliberalism is comprised of three principles: individualism, free market via privatization and deregulation, and decentralization. After describing the nature of a health care system that is shaped by those embracing this mind set, an alternative approach is introduced that could bring dignity and a human face to health care. The basic premise of the paper is that we must broaden our analysis of health care by understanding and challenging the neoliberal mind set.     

Training for business start-up in Scotland — the gender dimension

This paper looks at two examples of business start-up training in Scotland which have specifically targeted women, both younger women entering the labour market for the first time and older women who are either unemployed or returning to the labour market after raising a family. We argue that women face a double disadvantage in trying to start up and run their own business. Traditionally women have not been seen as business owners and are under represented in the small business sector. Secondly women perform a dual role in that they are almost always responsible for domestic and family concerns, whether they are economically active or not. We recognise that “gender constraints” exist and discuss the training programmes we have developed which in their style, content and timing set out to meet the special needs of women contemplating self employment.     

The urban programme what has it achieved?

On the 13th November a one day seminar on the Urban Programme was held by the London Economic Policy Unit (LEPU) at the Polytechnic of the South Bank. This paper provides a short summary of the issues raised.     

A new research framework for family resource management applied to financial preparedness of mid‐life working couplesa

In order to continue to move forward, the field of family resource management needs rich research programmes based on holistic, synergetic approaches. To this end, this paper presents a multi‐perspective research framework for designing family resource management research programmes using insights from five existing perspectives to understand families: life cycle stages, life spiral across generations, unplanned life transitions, the historical context of the course of one's life, and the different levels of influence on daily life ranging from the cosmos to the unknown (spheres of influence perspective). A modernization of the life cycle perspective is proposed as well to accommodate the gap between the full nest and the empty nest. We then use this new research framework to shape the development of a programme targeting retirement preparedness of mid‐life working couples with dependents (children and aged or infirm adults). We anticipate that deeper, more holistic insights into family resource management strategies can be gained from using this new research framework.