Free trade area United States of America/European Union impacts on Brazil.

The paper studies the impacts of the elimination of tariffs between the United States and the European Union in the context of negotiations of a free trade agreement. The principal theme of the paper is the impact on Brazil, particularly with respect to agricultural based products. The results show that the effects are small if Brazil does not participate. Nevertheless, if the country fully engages in the negotiations significant efficiency gains will take place with the expansion of important sectors, such as sugar and meats. The results points out to the fact that the negotiations are not likely to be easy since production and exports of sensitive products will be reduced in the three economies

Staying grounded? Applying the theory of planned behaviour to explore motivations to reduce air travel

Air travel has been highlighted as a key environmental behaviour contributing to climate change. Given this, there is a surprising lack of theory-based research aimed at identifying factors that underpin motivation to reduce the number of flights taken. This study explored whether an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model could be usefully applied to identify significant predictors of intentions to reduce the number of flights taken for leisure, holidays or to visit family or friends. Results supported the predictive utility of the TPB; the extended model was able to account for 52% of the variance in intentions over and above past behaviour and socio-demographic variables. Attitudes, subjective norms and behaviour-specific self-identity emerged as significant linear predictors. Findings support the utility of applying the TPB to air travel and suggest key variables which could be targeted in interventions to promote motivation to reduce the number of flights taken

Do changes in the work environment predict changes in privacy appraisal and associated outcomes? : a longitudinal study

Introduction: Privacy fit is a frequently reported issue in open office environments, yet its context predictors and its consequences remain understudied. Theory: To investigate these points, this study builds on Altman’s (1975) privacy regulation model and the cognitive appraisal theory (Folkman & Lazarus, 1985) as a transactional model of stress. It focuses on the fit between workers’ desired and achieved levels of privacy and on the appraisal of privacy fit and its stressful nature. Methods: This research was designed to examine context predictors of change in privacy fit and coping appraisal, as well as changes in the consequences of privacy fit during an office move. Data was collected over two points of measurement from 61 office workers who moved from a standard open-plan office to an office that is activity-based. The first questionnaire was distributed six weeks prior to the office move and the follow-up questionnaire approximately eight months after. With its longitudinal design, this study extends past research by demonstrating the changing nature of privacy fit and revealing predictors of change in privacy fit and coping appraisal. Results: Cross-lagged autoregression analysis of change confirmed suggested predictors such as increase in variety of settings and in adherence of others to protocols that positively influenced post-move privacy fit. Further, change in coping appraisal post-move was predicted by an increase in perceived environmental and behavioural flexibility. Changes in privacy fit and appraisal were associated with increases in job and workplace satisfaction and decreases in emotional and mental work fatigue post-move. Originality/Value: Results could inform physical workplace design as well as cultural interventions in organisations. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the psychological process of privacy experience by using a transactional model of stress

Office relocation : changes in privacy fit, satisfaction, and fatigue

Introduction Privacy fit is a frequently reported issue in open office environments, yet its context, predictors and consequences remain understudied. Theory This study builds on Altman’s (1975) privacy regulation model and the cognitive appraisal theory as a transactional model of stress to examine the effect of an office move (and associated changes in settings, protocols and autonomy) on changes in privacy fit, privacy-related coping appraisal, as well as changes in satisfaction and fatigue. Methods Data was collected over two points of measurement from 61 office workers who moved from a standard open-plan office to an office that is activity based. The first questionnaire was distributed six weeks prior to the office move and the follow-up questionnaire approximately eight months after. With its longitudinal design, this study extends past research by demonstrating the changing nature of privacy fit and revealing predictors of change in privacy fit and coping appraisal. Results Cross-lagged autoregression analysis of change confirmed suggested predictors such as increase in variety of settings and in adherence of others to protocols that positively influenced post-move privacy fit. Further, change in coping appraisal post move was predicted by an increase in perceived environmental and behavioural flexibility. Changes in privacy fit and appraisal were associated with increases in job and workplace satisfaction and decreases in emotional and mental work fatigue post move. Originality/Value Results could inform physical workplace design as well as cultural interventions in organisations. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the psychological process of privacy experience by using a transactional model of stress

Understanding the perceived benefits of nature for creativity

Experience of nature is widely linked to well-being, including psychological restoration. Benefits to creativity have been explored in a limited number of studies which refer to theories of restorative environments as frameworks, but it is unclear which aspects of the environment and person–nature transactions are implicated in these processes. In this study, N = 20 members of the British public were interviewed regarding the relevance of natural environments for their personal and professional creative activities. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed that cognitive, affective, and aesthetic appraisals were reported as directly relevant to creativity in nature, while environmental properties, sensory experiences, and the self were reported as informing these appraisals. Similarities to theories of restorative environments were observed in terms of the relevance of affect, cognition, and aesthetics. However, divergences also occurred, especially with regard to perceptions of arousal as beneficial for creativity, the importance of change in the environment, and the relevance of the self. Studies and theoretical modeling of relationships between nature and creativity should include these concepts, as well as those from theories of restorative environments.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

The problematic role of materialistic values in the pursuit of sustainable well-being

Strong materialistic values help to maintain consumer capitalism, but they can have negative consequences for individual well-being, for social equity and for environmental sustainability. In this paper, we add to the existing literature on the adverse consequences of materialistic values by highlighting their negative association with engagement in attitudes and actions that support the achievement of sustainable well-being. To do this, we explore the links between materialistic values and attitudes towards sufficiency (consuming “just enough”) as well as mindfulness (non-judgmental awareness of the present moment) and flow (total immersion in an activity), which have all been linked to increased well-being and more sustainable behaviours. We present results from three correlational studies that examine the association between materialistic values and sufficiency attitudes (Study 1, n = 310), a multi-faceted measure of mindfulness (Study 2, n = 468) and the tendency to experience flow (Study 3, n = 2000). Results show that materialistic values were negatively associated with sufficiency attitudes, mindfulness, and flow experiences. We conclude with practical considerations and suggest next steps for tackling the problematic aspects of materialism and encouraging the development of sustainable well-being