Consumer attitudes and acceptance of genetically modified organisms in Korea

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were first used to designate micro organisms that had had genes from other species transferred into their genetic material by the then‐new techniques of ‘gene‐splicing.’ Cultivation of GMOs has so far been most widespread in the production of soybeans and maize. The United States holds almost three‐fourths of the total crop area devoted to GMOs. Because many crops have been imported from the US, there is a large possibility for consumers to intake the products of GMOs in Korea. The safety of GMOs is not scientifically settled at this time, however. Additionally, the research regarding the GMOs issue of consumers has rarely been conducted in Korea. This study therefore focused on the consumer attitudes about GMOs and willingness to purchase them. The data were collected from 506 adults living in Seoul, Daegu and Busan, Korea, by means of a self‐administered questionnaire. Frequencies and chi‐square tests were conducted by SPSS. The results of the survey were as follows. First, the consumer concerns about GMOs were high but recognition was low; many respondents answered they did not have exact information about GMOs, although they had heard about them. Second, almost 93% of the respondents desired the labelling of GMOs. Third, the level of acceptance of GMOs was high; two‐thirds of the respondents showed that they were willing to buy GMOs. Finally, many respondents worried about the safety of GMOs in that 73% of the respondents primarily wanted to be informed about safety of GMOs. This study suggests that the consumer education about GMOs should be conducted through mass media and consumer protection organisations.     

Consuming digital technologies and making home

Recognizing digital technology's dislocating impact on home, this paper focuses on an underrepresented consumer, the female head-of-household. This interpretive research study of army men's wives elucidates three issues: the digital home's structure, technology's roles, and women's technology consumption. First, the study introduces the center–periphery model of home. Second, the results go beyond technology's tool role to building a support system. Finally, this study sheds light on the neglected area of women's play with digital technology.     

‘Hybrid’ open source software virtual communities of practice – a conceptual framework

‘Hybrid’ open source software communities are conducive to knowledge integration and innovation, and can be seen through a community of practice lens. In this paper, we develop an integrated process theory of structural attributes and social mechanisms of hybrid virtual communities. We offer a dynamic view of knowledge integration and innovation in such communities. We also emphasise the multi-faceted nature of virtual communities and identify factors that regulate participation and sustain such communities. This has implications for theorising about knowledge integration and innovation in hybrid virtual settings. Finally, virtual ethnography and multi-level research are suggested for future research.     

The work of mapping and the mapping of work: prosumer roles in crowdsourced maps

This paper presents an analysis of crowdsourcing work with a particular focus on exploring what forces and characteristics of the collaboration practices and technologies encourage and discourage prosumer work behaviours. Data were gathered through depth interviews with prosumers of a crowdsourced digital nautical map, observational netnographic research of prosumers on angling forums, and interviews and meetings with the map providers. Incorporating research on consumer work and prosumption, three distinct prosumer roles are identified based on how angling prosumers differentially produce and consume the crowdsourced maps. These roles show multiple behaviours along the prosumption continuum, and in so doing extend the continuum by introducing a second dimension – work as private versus public prosumer activity. It concludes by offering suggestions for marketers to engage with prosumers in crowdsourcing contexts.     

Opinion leaders,adopters, and communicative adopters: A role analysis

Our knowledge of the relationship between opinion leaders and adopters is based on discontinuous innovations. This paper argues that the relationship is different for continuous innovations. Previous research suggests that besides opinion leaders and adopters, communicative adopters—consumers who are both opinion leaders and adopters-play important yet different roles in the diffusion of continuous innovations. Based on a study of 317 moviegoers, this paper shows that communicative adopters can be characterized as ‘Change agents,’ opinion leaders as ‘Interpersonal communicators,’ and adopters as ‘Nonpersonal influencers’.     

Physical properties and degradability of PHB/chitosan blend films

Synthetic polymers are rarely degraded in nature and cause environmental pollution. Biodegradable films have been developed to alleviate the pollution. Many countries have great interests in biodegradable food packaging films. Poly (3‐hydroxy butyric acid) (PHB) is a natural biodegradable plastic with biocompatibility. However, PHB has some problems of application to the food system because it is brittle and stiff. Because PHB has a poor site for chemical modification, the blends of PHB with flexible polymers can overcome these undesirable properties. Therefore, we prepared the blend films of PHB with chitosan, analysed the mechanical properties and barrier properties against water vapour, oxygen and lipid and monitored biodegradability of PHB/chitosan films in this study. The degree of crystallinity of PHB/chitosan films by X‐ray diffraction decreased with increasing chitosan concentration. The granular sizes of the films were reduced with the addition of chitosan to the film in the micro structural observation by a scanning electron microscope. Mechanical properties, including tensile strength and percent elongation of the blend films increased with increasing chitosan ration in the films. It is demonstrated that mechanical properties of the films were improved by the addition of chitosan. The water vapour permeability (WVP) of the PHB film was the highest and WVP was decreased by the addition of chitosan. Oxygen permeability of the films decreased as chitosan amount increased. The films had very good barrier property against lipid. The consumed oxygen of PHB film was greater than that of chitosan film for incubation on the biodegradability determination of the films. Therefore, the blend films could be expected to increase the rate of degradation in natural environments.     

Accommodating Employees With and Without Disabilities

Efforts to recruit and retain employees with disabilities are often tempered by employers’ concerns over potential workplace accommodation costs. This study reports on accommodations requested and granted in intensive case studies of eight companies, based on more than 5,000 employee and manager surveys, and interviews and focus groups with 128 managers and employees with disabilities. Two unique contributions are that we analyze accommodations for employees without disabilities as well as for those with disabilities, and compare perspectives on accommodation costs and benefits among employees, their coworkers, and their managers. We find people with disabilities are more likely than those without disabilities to request accommodations, but the types of accommodations requested and the reported costs and benefits are similar for disability and non‐disability accommodations. In particular, fears of high accommodation costs and negative reactions of coworkers are not realized; all groups tend to report generally positive coworker reactions. Multilevel models indicate granting accommodations has positive spillover effects on attitudes of coworkers, as well as a positive effect on attitudes of requesting employees, but only when coworkers are supportive. Consistent with recent theorizing and other studies, our results suggest the benefits from a corporate culture of flexibility and attention to the individualized needs of employees. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The development and inequality of heights in North, West, and East India 1915–1944

In this study, we trace the development of height and its distribution in India during 1915–1944. Heights of North, West, and East Indians grew very slowly. Although for this period it has been argued that income inequality declined, we reject our working hypothesis that height inequality declined in parallel with income inequality. In fact, height differences were low during the influenza/famine period of 1918–1920, and the Great Depression period. With the growing openness of the late 1920s, we observe a temporary rise in height inequality. The overall level of height inequality is lower than expected for Indian society that is influenced by a rigid caste system.     

Contrasting the impact of framing pain versus pleasure for high and low involvement consumers

In this paper we contrast the impact of positive and negative frames on brand attitude formation for an enjoyable product category. We are particularly interested in the role of involvement in this process. We find that (1) positive frames have a greater impact than negative frames on brand attitude formation and (2) enduringly involved consumers are more influenced by positive frames, while less-involved consumers are influenced by negative frames.     

Climate Negotiations,EITE Industries,and the WTO: Facing the Conflicts

Though developed countries have contributed the lion's share of greenhouse gases to date, developing countries are rapidly catching up – and seem unlikely to adopt meaningful GHG controls in the near term. This prospect concerns major developed countries, since their own GHG controls could cause carbon-intensive production to migrate to unregulated countries, a phenomenon called “carbon leakage.” This article surveys progress in international negotiations to date. It argues that, given the slow pace of efforts to create a global GHG control framework, carbon tariffs and other border measures are likely to be invoked as an alternative means of preventing carbon leakage. The article illustrates the legal and economic pitfalls of border adjustments and urges major emitting countries to suspend the imposition of border measures for a limited time while negotiating a “Code of Good Practice” to guide their trade-related climate measures going forward. The Code that we describe would constrain the scope of border measures and sharply limit their negative consequences.