En-route sector capacity estimation methodologies: An international survey

Reliable estimation of en-route sector capacity is important, especially in high-density traffic areas where controller workload is the driver. En-route sector capacity is commonly estimated using fast-time computer simulation techniques employing models of controller workload. This paper analyses the methodologies employed by a number of countries in Europe and North America, to estimate the capacity of en-route airspace. The data used was obtained from airspace planners and managers. The survey involved interviews using pre-designed questionnaires. The results show that there are two main models used in the simulation of controller workload, and that there is considerable variation both in their application and controller involvement in the capacity estimation process.     

The Controversy over Montréal: The creation of the Outgames in the field of gay and lesbian sports

The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GBLT) sports industry has grown substantially over the last few decades. A major change occurred in this field in 2004, after the Montréal 2006 Gay Games organizing committee could not resolve its conflict with the Federation of Gay Games. We examined how such conflicts begin, get resolved, and influence organizational fields using the concept of institutional conflict. We focused on two types of conflicts: contradictions between organizational identity and image of GLBT sport associations, and struggles for governance and institutional leadership within the field of GLBT sport. We found that conflicts between individuals and groups are often the result of conflicts between organizing principles and governance arrangements. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effectiveness of Advertisements Utilizing Four Types of Endorsers

Four groups of students were presented with identical advertisements for sangria wine, attributed to one of four different types of endorsers: a celebrity, student, professional expert, and company president. A fifth group serving as a control was presented with the same advertisement, but it was not attributed to an endorser. Subjects were asked to rate the wine on three scales: expected selling price, probable (anticipated) taste and intent-to-purchase. In addition, the advertisements were rated on their believability. While endorsers did not significantly affect the expected selling price or believability, they had an effect on probable taste and intent-to-purchase. The authors conclude that it is probably worthwhile for an advertiser to use an endorsement for his product, rather than utilize a similar advertisement without an endorsement.     

Segregation and Black political efficacy

The impact of segregation on Black political efficacy is theoretically ambiguous. On one hand, increased contact among Blacks in more segregated areas may mean that Blacks are better able to coordinate political behavior. On the other hand, lesser contact with non-Blacks may mean that Blacks have less political influence over voters of other races. As for non-Blacks, inter-group conflict theory suggests that greater contact yields greater conflict between the groups while inter-group contact theory suggests exactly the reverse. We investigate this question empirically. We find that exogenous increases in segregation lead to decreases in Black civic efficacy, as measured by an ability to elect Representatives who vote liberally and more specifically in favor of legislation that is favored by Blacks. This tendency for Representatives from more segregated MSAs to vote more conservatively arises in spite of the fact that Blacks in more segregated areas hold more liberal political views than do Blacks in less segregated locales. We find evidence that this decrease in efficacy is driven by more conservative attitudes amongst non-Blacks in more segregated areas.