Mindfulness-based training interventions for employees: A qualitative review of the literature

We provide a comprehensive qualitative review of 67 published studies that have examined mindfulness-based training interventions conducted with employees. The findings indicate that the most common research designs were the pre-test/post-test only design (35.8%) and the randomized waitlist control group design (26.9%). About two-thirds of the studies included a control group (61.2%), with approximately three-quarters (75.6%) of these studies using random assignment. Of the 63 studies that used a conventional experimental design, the majority (65.1%) included only one follow-up assessment, most often immediately after training. Results indicated a great degree of heterogeneity in terms of program content, although many studies used some adaptation of Kabat-Zinn's (1990) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (41.8%), an approach with a strong evidentiary base with clinical populations. All training programs incorporated practice, most (85.1%) used multiple methods of delivering the training material, and training varied considerably in total duration, session length, and the number of training sessions. Our review also found that the intended purpose of mindfulness-based training for employees was most commonly the reduction of stress/strain (80.6%), although a wide range of other targeted outcomes were documented. Based on our findings, we offer suggestions for future research aimed at advancing our understanding of mindfulness-based training interventions with employees.     

Actors-in-Time: A Proposed Real Time,Decisional Model for Evaluating the Ethical Content of Decisions in the Financial Services Industry

A number of theoretical approaches to ethicaldecision making in the business context arecriticized as being too complex and cumbersometo be useful in day to day decision making. Byway of a potential solution, the authorspresent a universalistic, real-time model forassessing and resolving ethical decisions. Utilizing this model requires students andpractitioners to evaluate their decisionsaccording to two dimensions. In the firstdimension, stakeholders are identified aseither ``insiders' or ``outsiders' relating tothe differential advantages and/ordisadvantages a decision has on these twogroups. With the second dimension, consequences for the short term and long termfor these two stakeholder groups are assessed. The paper concludes with an illustration fromreal financial services business decisions asviewed through the model. These examplesprovide readers a sense of the model'spotential for consulting and pedagogicalpurposes.     

NORTH AND SOUTH: PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

The limited progress made by the developing countries in securing a New International Economic Order is reviewed, noting “excuses” made by developed countries for lukewarm support or even opposition. Official development aid is defended as a necessary, second best, policy, given trade restrictions by developed countries. It should be greatly enlarged, especially if developing countries would be willing to accept tighter conditions to ensure its economic effectiveness. The remainder of the paper argues the case for a reassessment of the damage done by developed to developing countries by protectionist policies and reviews two controversial areas in the economic analysis of developing economies—rural income distribution and impact of multinational corporations.     

The sky is the limit? The determinants and constraints of European airports commercial revenues

This study investigates the determinants of commercial and retail airport revenues from real estate operations. Aviation revenues per passenger are mainly determined by the national income per capita in the area where the airport is located, the percentage of leisure travelers and the size of the airport. Main drivers of commercial revenues per passenger include the number of passengers passing through the airport, the ratio of commercial to total revenues, national income, the share of domestic and leisure travelers and the number of flights. These results are in line with previous findings of a negative influence of business travelers on commercial revenues per passenger. We also find that a large amount of retail space per passenger is generally associated with lower commercial revenues per square meter confirming decreasing marginal revenue effects. Real estate revenues per passenger are positively associated with national income per capita at airport location, share of intra-EU passengers and percent delayed flights.     

新飞机的大问题

空客公司经过无数次调研之后,总算正式推出了A380这个全球最大的飞机。尽管当时有部分客户提出需要得到全货机型号,但是在一开始设计时,空客公司并没有过多考虑货机的改型问题。空客已经表示货机型号依然有潜力,只是该型飞机实际上机腹运力相对小,对货运而言并非最佳。该型飞机投入运营后已经＂迫使＂部分货运公司增加了全货机服务和变更了航班时刻。     

AN APPRAISAL OF CONTRACT FARMING

This article reviews the circumstances under which contract farming, as one form of vertical integration, is necessary to secure rapid and efficient co-ordination and adaptability within systems of food production/marketing/distribution. A review of American experience and attitudes indicates that contracting in the U.S.A. has been successful in matching farm production to the needs of consumers more quickly and economically than otherwise would have been possible. Contract terms have generally been ‘fair’ to United States farmers, partly as a result of a strong co-operative system, including a large number of bargaining co-operatives, but also as a result of strong competition between American agri-businesses. American experience and conclusions can be transposed to British circumstances. However, there should be greater publicity and analysis of contract terms, as well as more complete information on the financial performance of the agri-business operations of conglomerates and other multi-product businesses.     

CONCENTRIC SAMPLING IN FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH

A preliminary case is made for intensive and long-term socio-economic survey work in farming systems research (FSR), as opposed to a reliance on rapid appraisals. A sampling methodology is described, based on collection of a detailed sample frame, which allows the selection of samples which can be related directly to each other, through common respondents. Thus causal relationships can be determined in one sample and, by extrapolation, linked to attributes found in another. The sampling method also makes it easy to select farmers with specific attributes for on-farm trial sites, and allows a more informed interpretation of agronomic results in relation to farm management criteria.