Profiling the victims: public awareness of pollution-related harm in China

This article aims to identify factors which influence public awareness of health or economic harm from pollution in China. Based on an analysis of the China General Social Survey (CGSS) carried out nationwide by Renmin University and HKUST in 2006, it focuses on awareness of pollution-related harm or self-identification as a pollution victim. The analysis tests three groups of hypotheses about how self-identified victims differ from others: first, in terms of the environmental conditions they experience, such as the actual level of pollution and types of neighbourhoods they inhabit; second, in terms of resources including material and information resources, time, social capital and political experience; and third, in terms of political attitudes. The conclusion discusses implications for the politics of public participation in environmental governance in China

A Japanese fishing joint venture: worker experience and national development in the Solomon Islands

Tuna fisheries, Joint ventures, Fishery development, Sociological aspects, Solomon Islands, Japan,

Use of IC information in Japanese financial firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of: how Japanese financial firms (JFF) acquire and use company intellectual capital (IC) information in their common routine equity investment decisions, how this activity contributes to knowledge creation in the JFFs, and how investee company knowledge creation is affected by the JFFs.<p></p> Design/methodology/approach – The research employed a multi-case design, using four JFF cases. The investigation was performed in terms of Nonaka and Toyama's “theory of the knowledge creating firm”.<p></p> Findings – IC information contributed to earnings estimates and company valuation. Emotional information contributed to JFF feelings and confidence in their information use and valuation. JFF knowledge was an important component of the key interacting and informed contexts used by JFFs. This generated opportunities to improve disclosure and accountability between JFFs and their investee companies. Common patterns of behaviour across the JFFs were counterbalanced by variety and differences noted in JFF behaviour.<p></p> Practical implications – The findings provide important insights into how JFF knowledge creating patterns could limit or progress a common language of communication between companies and markets on the subject of IC. This could impact on the quality of corporate disclosure and accountability processes.<p></p> Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that there is a need for further use of qualitative studies of financial market behavior. Especially in the area of understanding the communication of IC between firms and financial markets, the potential of using sociology of finance approaches appears to be considerable

Perceptions, values and attitudes on whales and whale watching by workers on whale watching and hunting ships

Master's thesis in International Hospitality ManagementAbstract The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the views and attitudes of the stakeholder groups whale hunters and whale watching tourism workers, as little research has previously been done in this area. As watching whales in captivity has gained much negative attention worldwide many aquariums have recently been forced to close down, and this is expected to lead to a rapid growth in the area of whale watching tourism. The research questions were divided into the following main themes: 1) Attitudes towards whales, 2) Is whaling and whale watching mutually exclusive, 3) Information about the whaling industry, and 4) Attitudes towards environmental values. Research was conducted in Northern Norway and Iceland, leading to 19 personal, semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using NVivo 11 PRO software, confirming previous research results, but also proving new information: in Norway the whale hunters and whale watching tourism workers had mostly opposing views and feelings about whales and their utilization, but agreed on the importance of nature preservation. The whale hunters further expressed annoyance towards the demands of the tourism industry, but felt the two industries can exist side by side. Tourism workers generally wanted to see whaling stopped. In Norway demands for more control and education were heard within the whale watching industry, and the entire tourism infrastructure was seen as being in need of improvement. In Iceland Finn whaling has come to an end, but Minkie whaling is still done, and people working with whale watching tourism hold strong anti-whaling opinions. Hence, the mutual existence of the two industries is not seen as an option. This is also communicated to tourists in a more direct way than in Norway, e.g. by asking tourists to boycott restaurants that serve whale meat. Future research could be conducted with younger or female whalers / workers in the whale watching tourism industry. KEYWORDS: whaling, whale watching tourism, whale meat, sustainability, profitability, green values.Northern InSight

The Camouflaged Crime: Perceptions of Poaching in Southern Appalachia

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of poaching within the Southern Appalachian Region. To date, little research has been conducted on the general topic of poaching and no studies have focused on this Region. Several research questions were pursued, including perceptions of poacher motivations, methods and concern regarding apprehension and punishment. The study gathered data through qualitative interviews with 27 conservation officers and outdoorsmen located in Southern Appalachia to address these questions. Results provided useful information regarding the unique characteristics of the poaching problem within the Region, which are discussed in detail. Implications and directions for future research are also covered

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder : Developments in the last decade concerning causes and treatments

The last ten years have brought major advances in the fields of medicine and technology, advances that have illuminated many of the dark comers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This article seeks to pull together those illuminating advances, condensing the voluminous information available into comprehensive, but readable, pages. The causes of the disorder are discussed from both the scientific and psychological/social perspectives. The controversy resulting from medicating so many, so young is an integral part of this country\u27s interest in ADHD, due largely to coverage by the popular media. Research concerning successful treatment strategies is also discussed. Medication, behavior modification, and classroom accommodation are the most widespread strategies. Beyond these are the less well known treatments of relaxation therapy, neurofeedback, and others. The overriding motivation behind this article is the knowledge gained both by this author and the reader. Knowledge brings understanding which brightens the world of ADHD people and all the people that surround them

Communication Under Pressure: Analyzing The International Whaling Conference As A Transnational Public Sphere

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013Whaling has become one of the most popular international issues of our time. At the center of this controversy, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is positioned to conserve and manage whaling policy. Annual reports of the IWC were analyzed along with communication theories for a textual analysis approach to the issue. The USA, Japan and Norway are often the center of the heated dialogue, which takes up time and limits reaching consensus or productive policy change. This research aims at understanding this conference and examining where tensions flair and what can be done to enhance our communication in this ever globalizing community

Stepping Stone or Stumbling Block: Incrementalism and National Climate Change Legislation

This Article examines the effects of incremental domestic legislation on international negotiations to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Mitigating the effects of climate change is a global public good, which, ultimately, only an international agreement can provide. The common presumption (justified or not) is that national legislation is a step forward to an international agreement. This Article analyzes how national legislation can create a demand for international action but can also preempt or frustrate international efforts. The crucial issue, which has been largely ignored thus far, is how incremental steps at the domestic level alter international negotiations. This paper identifies four mechanisms that support the intuitive idea that national legislation will have positive effects: (1) allocating economic resources, (2) providing leadership in international negotiations, (3) creating a demand for a uniform standard, and (4) cultivating public opinion. This Article demonstrates that, on closer examination, each of these mechanisms could hinder international efforts to create a comprehensive agreement. This is by no means an argument against all efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions at the national level. Instead, this Article calls for a more careful analysis the dynamic political impact of domestic proposals