Suchergebnisse

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "A company formed by security guards at the Anchorage, Alaska, Federal Office Building (AFOB) competed unsuccessfully for two contracts and later alleged bias and preselection by the General Services Administration (GSA) in the contract award process. However, GAO's review of relevant documentation and discussions with officials of GSA and the company that alleged the irregularities did not disclose any evidence of bias or preselection in GSA's award of these contracts. GSA appears to have inadvertently used an outdated Department of Labor (DOL) wage determination in its most recent contract because of a misunderstanding of the wage determination process and incorrect advice provided by DOL in 1999. On the basis of the substantial amount of information GAO was able to obtain, including documents and oral information from the guards and GSA officials, GAO concludes that GSA could have done more to respond to the guards' concerns and help ensure and document that the contractor was providing for the safety of federal employees and the security of federal facilities in accordance with the contract. Also, GSA could have done more to respond to the guards' repeated charges of unfair labor practices directed at this same contractor throughout most of the contract period. Contract performance was interrupted when the guards went on strike against the contractor. The strike potentially jeopardized security at AFOB and cost GSA an undetermined sum of money."

The focus of this article is the development of a differential equations model that integrates balance of power and power transition theories. This integration is achieved by proposing three different conditions, each of which is associated with specialized conflict behavior. Extrapolation from the traditional theories' arguments about war to the forces governing the ebb and flow of conflict is another integration technique. Most notably, the formal model predicts three types of power transitions: deflections, tortoise and hare transitions, and single transitions. Only the single transition is similar to the type of transition predicted by power transition theory. The other two types are important because they account for unsuccessful challenges. Important differences in conflict patterns also distinguish the three transition types from one another. The model also makes predictions concerning the relationship between two rivals' conflict levels and the timing of conflict peaks. Using a case study for each of the three types of transitions, the predictions are tested using MID data supplemented with historical analyses. Empirical support is strong. Substantive conclusions include recommendations for slowing rates of reaction, cautions concerning the dangers of the post-transition phase, and advice for tortoises to conserve their resources. This project also advocates the usefulness of a broader collection of events data than is currently available and the possible need for variables that trace the evolution of bonds that tie nations together.

Over the last two decades there has been a renewed interest in the role of law in development. The major player in the new law and development movement is the World Bank which provides advice on, and funding for, law reform projects. The Bank's initial foray into law reform issues was through adjustment programmes intended to push back the state from the economy in developing countries in order to liberate markets. Despite the Bank's claim that adjustment programmes are technical and apolitical, they have a negative impact on the livelihoods of many social groups in the countries implementing them. In the 1990s the Bank has expanded lending for law reform programmes as part of its good governance agenda. It promotes a procedural and institutional version of the rule of law as the most appropriate framework for development. This version emphasizes formal equality and is appropriate for neo-liberal capitalist development. It is unsuitable for other strategies of development which emphasize equity and fairness. The Bank's legal framework also emphasizes the importance of legal sector institutional reforms. This is based on new institutional economic explanations of the role of law in influencing individual and social behaviour. The relationship between institutions and human conduct is not direct and is complex. As a result of interactions between formal and informal institutions, the impact of formal reforms is difficult to predict.

This article outlines the current development of aspects of social policy in Bosnia- Herzegovina, paying particular attention to the roles of diverse international actors. Bosnia-Herzegovina is seen as an example of a 'new feudalist' social formation in which the common citizenship model of 'normal' welfare regimes does not apply as a result of: (a) sepa ratist ethnicized claims and loyalties and (b) the fragmentation and multiplication of pol itical authority. The redevelopment of social welfare structures is hampered by the com peting and inconsistent visions and activities of ethnicized, local, national, international and supranational institutions. Dilemmas for supranational agencies such as the World Bank and UN agencies involved in policy advice are, therefore, of a different order to those found in other post-socialist states in the region. In addition, the large presence of International NGOs has not supported the building of a sustainable public policy for the social protection of the population. Support for local NGO development and for 'civil society' has also had unforeseen negative con sequences. Through relating the roles and activities of diverse agencies to various pro grammes of social assistance, health care, and social care, the article argues that a policy vacuum, in part a product of the competition and disarticulation between supranational, national governmental, and non-governmental organizations, actually reinforces 'new feu dalist' trends. An alternative conception of social policy as integrative social development is outlined.

Forestry is no longer just about ensuring sustained supplies of timber, non-timber products and wildlife, today a much wider range of local, regional and global values influence decisions on how to manage forests. Forests are central to debate on climatic change, water management and biodiversity conservation. Progress in information technology allowing manipulation of complete data sets, computer-based models and remote sensing capabilities are all contributing to providing the information which is now needed to manage forests. As economics are liberalised and trade barriers reduced forests are becoming more and more a global resource. Decisions formerly made by government forest agencies are increasingly being made by corporate investors. The implications for research are that the private sector will dominate areas such as tree improvement, plantation technology and wood processing but will not find it attractive to invest in research about the public-good values of forests. It will be important for the public sector to engage in research, which provides the ability to assess a variety of forest conditions, monitor changes and develop standards against which to evaluate forest management practices. The paper poses questions on the provision of scientific advice to the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests; what form an international consultative mechanism for forest research should take, identification of new collaborative initiatives and the way forward for initiatives for global forest information systems.

On March 3,1997, President William J. Clinton transmitted to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification as a treaty the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Hong Kong for the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders, signed at Hong Kong on December 20,1996. In his letter of transmittal, President Clinton pointed out that, upon its entry into force, the Agreement would "enhance cooperation between the law enforcement communities of the United States and Hong Kong, and … provide a framework and basic protections for extraditions after the reversion of Hong Kong to the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997." The President continued:
Given the absence of an extradition treaty with the People's Republic of China, this Treaty would provide the means to continue an extradition relationship with Hong Kong after reversion and avoid a gap in law enforcement. It will thereby make a significant contribution to international law enforcement efforts.The provisions of this Agreement follow generally the form and content of extradition treaties recently concluded by the United States. In addition, the Agreement contains several provisions specially designed in light of the particular status of Hong Kong. The Agreement's basic protections for fugitives are also made expressly applicable to fugitives surrendered by the two parties before the new treaty enters into force.

The tensions emerged from urban, retail and services distribution changes are fostering the need of experts' advice not only to private firms, but also to public agencies to tackle strategic decisions. In this paper it is presented a synthesis of a larger study focused to provide a situation diagnostic and proposals, concerning the retail sector, to enlighten the urban pohcy of Tres Cantos, a new town in the Madrid metropolitan area. ; Las tensiones originadas por los cambios urbanos y en la distribución comercial y de servicios están haciendo brotar la necesidad del asesoramiento por parte de expertos, tanto a las empresas, coma a los organismos públicos para adoptar decisiones estratégicas. En este articulo se resumen las lineas maestras de un estudio que se orientó a proveer de un diagnostico de la situación y de propuestas, en materia comercial, para informar la política municipal de la ciudad nueva de Tres Cantos, sita en el área metropolitana de Madrid. [fr] Les tensions dues aux changements urbains, commerciales et des services ont stimulé le besoin de conseil des experts aux entreprises privées et aussi aux organismes publiques pour orienter ses décisions stratégiques. Dans cet article on expose le contenu essentiel d'un étude plus ample réalisé pour procurer un diagnostique de la situation actuelle et des propositions, concernant au secteur commercial, pour orienter la politique communale de la ville nouvelle de Tres Cantos, appartenant a l'aire métropolitaine de Madrid.

The report describes the cooperation between the Geological Surveys of Lithuania (GSL) and Norway (NGU) in the period 1992-96. GSL existed in 1992 primarily as an administrative body, governing the activities of state enter- prises which had existed prior to 1991. The cooperation has had the following aims: - Assistance to GSL in its development to meet Lithuanian needs (national and local government requirements for advice on geological conditions, water supply, pollution of the subsurface, etc.) - Professional development and technology transfer (new methods, investment in important equipment items and establishment of contacts with relevant bodies in Norway and Europe) GSL's development during this period is largely due to the energy and skills of its staff and leadership. The cooperation with NGU has had an important influence in a number of areas, particularly: - General philosophy, symbolised by the shared motto: \"Geology for Society\". - Organisational structure (matrix form). - Development of a computer network and databases at GSL. - Development of a network of contracts with Norwegian and international organisations and institutions. The Norwegian Directorate of Public Management has carried out a thorough assessment of the project, with positive conclusions. GSL has recently been assessed by two commissions of the Lithuanian parliament (Seima), the com- missions for economics and for the environment. These assessments had very positive conslusions. There is every reason to believe that GSL is now a well- developed and functioning part of the government infrastructure of Lithuania. ; 43746

The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 (OPRC Convention, 1990) came into force on 13 May 1995. The main objectives of the OPRC Convention are to facilitate international co-operation and mutual assistance in preparing for and responding to a marine pollution incident and to encourage states to develop and maintain adequate capability to deal credibly with oil pollution emergiencies. The paper outlines and describes in some detail the strategy adopted by IMO in the implementation of the OPRC Convention, the mechanisms established to address/discuss issues of mutual concern amongst the member states of IMO and the oil industry, and the various activities undertaken by IMO in co-operation with relevant sister UN organizations and the oil industry to assist countries requiring assistance including the mobilization/provision of technical assistance to countries on an individual basis. It is apparent that IMO's role as a provider of technical advice and delivery of project assistance, as a co-ordinator for the mobilization of international assistance to major marine pollution incidents upon the request of countries in need, as a Forum for discussion/overseeing the implementation of the OPRC Convention (through the meetings of the OPRC Working Group) including the development of marine pollution preparedness and response training programmes is set to become more important given its pro-active approach to promoting oil spill preparedness in co-operation with industry and governments.

Purpose.This study identifies effective components of a bicycle helmet promotion campaign, and mechanisms by which these components affect child helmet ownership.Design.A random telephone survey identified parents whose children did not own helmets prior to an educational campaign. A follow-up survey was conducted six months later. Regression analysis estimated the effects of four campaign components on child helmet ownership and tested for mediation by cognitive variables.Setting.Study participants were residents of a suburban community which undertook a citywide educational campaign to increase child helmet ownership.Subjects.Subjects were 210 parents with at least one school-aged child, none of whom owned helmets.Intervention.A multicomponent campaign was implemented by a community coalition. In addition, random subsamples of the study participants received direct mail or direct telephone communications.Results.Of the eligible respondents identified in the baseline sample, 39% completed the follow-up survey. Regression analysis showed that children whose parents received either helmet advice from a physician or direct telephone communications were 2.6 and 2.2 times more likely, respectively, to own helmets as children whose parents did not experience similar communication. Parental worry mediated the association, but parental beliefs about the effectiveness of helmets did not.Conclusions.Future helmet campaigns should use interpersonal strategies to increase parental worry about their children being involved in a bicycle accident. Generalization of these findings is limited by the high socioeconomic status of the study participants, and by the outcome measure, which is helmet ownership, not helmet use.

Sponsors are the key to success in the corporate world. People jumped on the success train with tickets from their sponsors — their mentors. A mentor was defined as someone approximately ten to fifteen years older, successful, secure, mature, and thoroughly committed to the sponsorette's development; indeed, a cross between teacher, uncle, wet nurse, cousin, guru and sugar daddy. They are professionally paternalistic and serve in a "god‐parent" role. It is becoming clear that corporate romance occurs much more frequently than most people care to admit. Hunt and Michael explored the concept of new managers having a mentor and discovered four stages to the mentoring relationship. The first is the inititiation phase, where the more powerful and professionally recognised mentor recognised the apprentice as a protégé. The second is the protégé phase, where the apprentice's work is recognised not for its own merit but as a by‐product of the mentor's instruction, support, or advice. The third is the break‐up stage, where the protégé goes off on his or her own. If the mentor/protégé relationship has not been successful to this point, this will be the final stage. However, if it has been successful, both parties continue on to the lasting‐friendship stage. Here the mentor and the protégé have more of a peer‐like relationship. The protégé may well become a mentor but does not sever ties with the former mentor.

AbstractBecause women in large corporations face constrained opportunities due to engrained stereotypes, many leave to start their own businesses. Unfortunately, women owner‐managers may not escape the effect of negative stereotypes if these biases affect the behaviour of resource providers external to their firms. This study indicates that women business owners may be treated somewhat differently than men by one type of external resource provider–consultants. The advice hypothetical women received from a sample of consultants differed qualitatively and quantitatively from that received by hypothetical men facing exactly the same situations. The implications of these findings for business owners, resource providers, and academics are explored.RésuméComme lesfemmes qui travaillent dans de grandes entreprises font face á des dèbouchès restreints á cause des stèrèotypes ancrès, elles sont nombreuses á quitter pour monter lew propre affaire. Malheureusement, ces propriètaires dirigeantes ne peuvent pas toujours échapper aux effets des stéréotypes nègatifs, surtout si ces travers affectent le comportement des fournisseurs de ressources exterieurs á leurs firmes. La prèsente ètude indique que les femmes propriètaires de leur affaire peuvent être traitèes quelquepeu differemment de leurs homologues masculins par une catègoric de fournisseurs de ressources extèrieurs: les consultants. Les conseils que des femmes hypothètiques ont reçus d'un èchantillonnage de consultants diffèraient qualitativement et quantitativement de ceux reçus par des hommes hypothètiques dans exactement les mêmes situations. L'article explore les implications de ces conclusions pour les propriètaires d'affaires, les fournisseurs de ressources et les universitaires.

The potential influence of physicians upon the exercise behavior of individuals has been examined. Key questions explored were a) whether people believed that their personal physician thought that they should exercise, and b) the level of motivation to comply with these perceived expectations. Subjects were drawn from four independent populations: 1) parents of junior high school students (N = 479); 2) university employees (N = 190); 3) lower-limb disabled adults (N = 62); and 4) pregnant women (N = 68). Questionnaire-based physical activity scores were transformed into Z-scores and the data sets for activity and beliefs were pooled. Multiple regression models were developed for each individual data set and for the combined data. The proportion of the variance in reported physical activity explained by the normative belief regarding the physician and the level of motivation to comply with the perceived physician's expectations was very low (adjusted R2 = 0.026 for the combined data sets). In general, healthy adults thought that their personal physician wanted them to exercise and were motivated to comply with such advice. In contrast, disabled adults saw their personal physician as opposed to exercise which they were motivated to undertake. These findings are discussed in terms of the importance of social norms as determinants of exercise behavior and the position that physicians should adopt when seeking to enhance exercise behavior.

Vor dem Hintergrund der unterschiedlichen Entwicklungen in den beiden deutschen Staaten und deren Wiedervereinigung gibt der Beitrag über grundsätzliche Unterscheidungsmerkmale des Lehrerberufs in der DDR und der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Näher betrachtet werden hierbei besonders die Aufgabenbereiche und Tätigkeitsfelder, Möglichkeiten des Berufszugangs und Arbeitsmarktchancen sowie bildungspolitische, arbeitsrechtliche und pädagogische Bedingungen der Lehrertätigkeit. (DIPF/paul) ; Different educational goals as well as development of society in the frame of alternative political concepts changed the situation of teachers and their work in the two Germanies during the last 40 years. In the moment of "revolutionary" changes of society and politics in the GDR in November 1989 it is worth to give an overview on some fundamentals and central topics of the teaching profession, such as aims fixed by legislation law, expectations of society, entrance to the teaching profession, working conditions and social characteristics of teachers in Western and Eastern Germany. Beside all differences similar conditions of historical tradition, educational expansion and its problems since the seventies as well as changed demands by a new generation of pupils give the framework which makes teachers still fell obliged to solve conflicts between the individual and the society as regards the interest of their pupils. On the other hand the development of the past 40 years has produced new circumstances which make teachers often ask for legal solutions and advice in everyday work instead of using their "freedom" to innovate the educational process. Namely in the GDR there are new conditions to this problem to be expected. (DIPF/Orig.)