Rational cooperation in the finitely repeated prisoners' dilemma

A common observation in experiments involving finite repetition of the prisoners' dilemma is that players do not always play the single-period dominant strategies (“finking”), but instead achieve some measure of cooperation. Yet finking at each stage is the only Nash equilibrium in the finitely repeated game. We show here how incomplete information about one or both players' options, motivation or behavior can explain the observed cooperation. Specifically, we provide a bound on the number of rounds at which Fink may be played, when one player may possibly be committed to a “Tit-for-Tat” strategy.     

Fundamental obstacles to the use of scientific information in public policy making

In contrast to the prevailing view that more effective use can be made of scientific information in public policy formation, several fundamental obstacles to the effective use of science are identified and described. It is argued that any effort to bring scientific information to bear on public policy must show how these obstacles have been removed.     

Now Read This: Book Reviews Translating Corporate Values into Business Behaviour

C. Henry, J. Drew, N. Anwar, D. Benoit-Asselman and G. Campbell, EVA Project Report of the Ethics and Values Audit , Preston: University of Central Lancashire, 1992, pp. iii + 131, pb, £12.     

Visitor Attractions in Northern Ireland: The Relationship between Visitor Number Performance and Ownership Type 1990–2002

The visitor attractions market in Northern Ireland is in a state of flux, having experienced a tidal wave of investment between 1990 and 2002, simultaneouslywith continuing political stability. This research provides a longitudinal study of visitor numbers to attractions in relation to ownership type. Prior to the 1960s Government Departments and the National Trust predominantlymanaged Northern Ireland's attractions. Seventynew attractions developed byprivate owners and local authorities opened in the 1990s resulting in a phenomenal number of new museums and visitor centres, decreasing averages of visitors per attraction generally, and saturation of the market especiallyin the south of the region. The research profiles the characteristics of 195 attractions byownership type and looks at visitor numbers to a sample of 83 attractions for which there was comparable data between 1996 and 2002. Discussion centres on the contrast in performance between government owned attractions, which, unlike their UK counterparts, have declined in visitor numbers, and National Trust attractions which have out performed the two new categories of ownership in terms of percentage growth. Four scenarios are presented in relation to product management and discussed in relation to policyconsiderations, sustainabilityand qualitymanagement and training development. If closures of attractions are to be avoided, visitor numbers will need to grow at an accelerated rate and this can onlyhappen within a secure political environment and with enhanced quality management in the sector.