Influence of circadian rhythms on television viewers’ behaviour: is there a need for new programming?

As a common activity, television (TV) watching plays an important role in leisure behaviour. The influence of circadian rhythms on nearly all aspects of leisure behaviour and social life has been well examined in many fields. Less is known about circadian influences on TV use/social behaviour, and inconsistent findings have been reported. We analysed epidemiologic data from public TV stations to interpret them in light of circadian/seasonal rhythms and their interaction with leisure behaviour with the goal of improving quality of life by using TV as a pure leisure activity. We found that TV programme schedules failed to synchronise with circadian rhythms. Problems with synchronisation were observed for all viewers and were significantly related to factors such as working behaviour and social activities. Future studies should focus on the circadian influence on TV watching as a leisure behaviour. We propose a newly defined schedule based on circadian influences.     

The effects of development aid on exports

Of what benefit cooperation with developing countries is in actual fact to the industrialized countries is a question which is receiving increasing attention in the discussions on development policy. In the present economic situation special interest attaches in this context of course to the repercussions of public development aid services on the export activities of enterprises in the donor countries. The following article is based on the findings of a study into “Job procurement through development aid credits and exports to developing countries“ (Arbeitsplatzsicherung durch Entwicklungshilfekredite und Exporte in Entwicklungsländer, Basle 1978) which was undertaken by the author together with Christel Bergmann on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation.     

On the origin of domestic and international terrorism

We analyze the determinants of the origin of domestic and international terrorism in a large panel data set of 159 countries spanning from 1970 to 2007. We show that terror increases with GDP per capita, a higher polity score measuring a more open and competitive political system and experiences of domestic conflict, anarchy and regime transitions. Our evidence thus contradicts the notion that terrorism is rooted in economic deprivation or that strongly autocratic regimes breed more terrorists. Rather we show that weak or failing states are an incubator for terrorism. We also show that the causes of domestic terror and international terror are similar.     

Workplace Bullying,Psychological Perspectives and Industrial Relations: Towards a Contextualized and Interdisciplinary Approach

Workplace bullying is increasingly recognized as an important area of debate, particularly among researchers adopting a psychological perspective of work. This paper examines definitions of workplace bullying and explores less orthodox approaches within a British context. It focuses primarily on managers as perpetrators, and comments on the ‘bullying organization’, the relevance of human resource management and of gender. Context, the workplace balance of power, workers’ collective resistance and trade unions are then emphasized as significant factors and the potential for developing a contextualized, politicized and interdisciplinary approach to workplace bullying is suggested. Links with mobilization theory are explored, and the issue is also examined within the UK public sector environment.