Negotiating ‘Difference’: Representing Disabled Employees in the British Workplace

Drawing on qualitative interviews with disabled employees, union officers and disability‐related organizations, this article examines employee attempts to negotiate workplace adjustments and associated issues of workplace representation. UK employment law utilizes an individual medical model of disability, which conflicts with traditional collective approaches favoured by trade unions, which has implications for disabled employees and union representation. We explore the different strategies available to unions and conclude that, despite the role played by disability‐related organizations in supporting employees, unions are the only workplace actors who are capable of reconfiguring the ‘personal as political’ and integrating disability concerns into wider organizational agendas.     

Television Commercial Evaluation in the Context of Program Induced Mood: Congruency versus Consistency Effects

Abstract

This study examines the effect of the mood induced by television program content on subjects' evaluations of commercials. Specifically, happy or sad commercials are viewed in the context of a television program designed to induce these respective moods. The competing predictions of Mood Congruence Theory versus the Consistency Effect are examined to interpret the results. For all dependent measures considered, findings were in accordance with a Consistency Effect interpretation of the results. For two such measures (i.e., liking for the commercial and purchase intention) the Consistency Effect was statistically supported. Hence for these measures, it was found that a happy commercial viewed in the context of a happy program was evaluated more favorably than the same commercial viewed after exposure to a sad program. For the sad commercial, the reverse effects for these measures were evident as this commercial performed more favorably in the context of a sad program relative to a happy one. The dominance of a Consistency Effect interpretation of the results over that of Mood Congruence are interpreted in the context of advertising strategy.     

2½ Proposals to Save Social Security*

This is a review article of three books that deal with the problems facing the U.S. Social Security system. One deals with the OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) financial shortfall and proposes an alternative plan with both a tier one benefit and a tier two provision based on personal saving accounts. A second considers the social insurance system more comprehensively, arguing for a grand reform that would include new programs, particularly in the areas of child care and housing. A third largely confines itself to arguing against those who wish to change the OASDI plan because of the financial projections, although it also argues for a more comprehensive health care insurance system. The review concludes that key differences expressed in the books, particularly between the first and third, rest on different value judgments regarding intergenerational equity and the role of government.     

Bicycle-related injuries: Injury,hazard, and risk patterns

Abstract

This paper provides the results of a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study to determine the circumstances involved in bicycle-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. It also includes information from a CPSC exposure survey of the U.S. population of bicycle users and their patterns of bicycle and helmet use. Together, these data were used to identify and evaluate risk factors currently associated with bicycle use in the United States

Risk models identified factors specifically associated with injuries to children and to adults. Children were at particular risk of injury, and appeared to be especially vulnerable to head injury. In addition, the risk of injury for children was significantly increased when riding in non-daylight conditions. For both adults and children, there was a higher risk of injury on streets than in such areas as bike paths or unpaved surfaces. While some problems associated with bicycle assembly, operation, and maintenance were observed, the data did not suggest that any mechanical remedy is likely to reduce injuries substantially.     

Payout Policy Tax Clienteles,Ex‐dividend Day Stock Prices and Trading Behavior in Germany: The Case of the 2001 Tax Reform

This paper examines the impact of the German 2001 tax reform, where Germany switched from a full imputation system to a classical system. Theory suggests that both price drop ratios and trading volume decrease following the reform. We document a significant reduction in the valuation of net dividends–in particular for high dividend yield stocks–and weakening payout policy tax clienteles. Ex‐dividend day returns are likely to be driven by short‐term traders. Though the reform removed incentives for cross‐border dividend stripping and reduced tax heterogeneity among investors, we show that the high trading volume around ex‐dividend days persists.     

Group Processes and Performance and Their Effects on Individuals' Ethical Frameworks

This paper explores the influence of group context on the ethical predispositions of group members. Results indicate that groups exert a powerful influence on individuals' ethical frameworks, and that the patterns of these influences differ depending on the type of ethical framework involved. Individuals' ethical utilitarianism was affected by both leadership style and group cohesiveness. Ethical formalism was most affected by the leadership style in the group.     

The attributes of a cruise ship that influence the decision making of cruisers and potential cruisers

A never ending challenge for the cruise industry is to convert potential cruisers to cruisers. Grounded in Attribute Knowledge Theory and studies on novelty seeking, this study addressed this challenge by examining the different attributes of a cruise ship that influence the decision making of cruisers and potential cruisers. Using a sample of cruisers and potential cruisers with similar socio-demographics, this study found that they perceive seven dimensions of onboard attributes, but attach different importance to some of them. These results, consistent with the theoretical prediction, provide evidence that the cruise industry should develop different marketing strategies for cruisers and potential cruisers.     

Quiet enjoyment in the National Parks of England and Wales: public understanding of the term and its influence on attitudes towards recreational activities

In response to concerns raised since the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 established the National Parks, the National Parks Review Panel (1991) recommended that the term ‘quiet enjoyment’ be included in the Environment Bill to clarify the wording of the second purpose for National Parks. During parliamentary debate the term was removed, and some have subsequently claimed that this weakened the Environment Act 1995. This article describes the outcomes of a survey to establish the nature of public understanding of the terms ‘quiet enjoyment’ and ‘quiet recreation’ and to identify the nature of incidents perceived as interfering with ‘quiet enjoyment’ and ‘quiet recreation’. The results indicate that the terms ‘quiet enjoyment’ and ‘quiet recreation’ hold different meanings for the public, with ‘quiet enjoyment’ being a broader and more emotive concept than ‘quiet recreation’. However, despite differences in meaning of the two terms, similar factors were reported as interfering with both ‘quiet enjoyment’ and ‘quiet recreation’. Respondents were also asked about the perceived acceptability of a range of activities within National Parks, and about their own involvement in those activities. Links were found between perceived compatibility of recreational activities with the terms ‘quiet enjoyment/quiet recreation’ and their acceptance in National Parks. Those surveyed viewed some restrictions on activities as necessary.     

Risky recreation: an exploration of factors influencing the likelihood of participation and the effects of experience

The purpose of this research was to systematically examine factors that may influence participation in risky recreational activities. Because more people participate in risky leisure activities, it is important to acquire a more in-depth understanding of the factors influencing their behaviours. We examine these issues in the context of a survey concerned with participation in the sport of mountain biking. Results revealed that experience influenced risk perceptions, expected affective outcomes, and the attractiveness or appeal of the activity. In addition, expected affective outcomes moderated the influence of experience on appeal. The likelihood of participation in a high-risk consumption activity was determined by affective outcome expectancies, appeal of the activity, risk perceptions, and prior experience. The results also indicated that the activity's appeal moderated the influence of perceived risk on the individual's likelihood of participation.