Softwood Lumber Quality Requirements: Examining the Supplier/Buyer Perception Gap

The major objective of this research was to examine the perception gap that exists between suppliers and buyers concerning softwood lumber quality requirements. In general, suppliers know quite well how their customers perceive the importance of service and product quality, but consistently overrate their performance level relative to how they are rated by their customers. The largest perception gaps exist for the various aspects of lumber aesthetics. Therefore, this may be the area on which mills should concentrate to increase their competitiveness

The German publishing industry : managing environmental issues : a teaching case study

This case study describes the challenges that con-front the German publishing industry as it attempts to implement environmentally responsible purchas-ing of paper. German consumers are considered leaders in environmental awareness, and many actively sup-port environmental organizations. This case focuses on how industry and individual companies have responded to demands from both consumers and environmental organizations, what role stakehold-ers play in business decision making, and how envi-ronmental managers can affect company change. Cop-ies of the related teaching notes are available from the senior author ([email protected])

Kaiser Heinrich II. und die Bischöfe: Sakralität und Autorität

The essay considers Henry II’s relationship with the bishops of the empire. The first part of the study clarifies that the sovereign’s task was to bring together a kingdom made up of a number of groups encompassing different ethnicities, which were crossed by a multistratified web of associations of individuals. This mutable equilibrium was supposed to be upheld by the royal auctoritas , which was very much based on ceremonial order. Henry II posed the ordo coronationis of Mainz (c. 960) as the foundation of his reign. The ordo coronationis projected an image of the kingdom based on the Old Testament, whose premise was the paterna successio, which could become ius hereditarium only through the anointment of the new king by the bishops. This is confirmed by an image of Henry II (still not on the throne, but in the act of receiving his anointment and the symbolic objects during his coronation) transmitted in the sacramentary of Raitsbon, written during the early years of his reign (1002-1003). The ensuing part of the analysis considers a series of choices – i.e. to reinstate, strengthen, or establish – which the king made with regards to a number of episcopal sees (Bamberg, Bobbio). Henry II was fully aware of his role, and thus alluded to the Carolingian experience, further claiming a special power of deliberation inspired by Mosaic law with regards to the management of conflicts, also for what concerned bishops. The synod of Frankfurt (1007) affirmed – and this was a circumstance which would never occur again – the divine precept of royal discretional authority over the canonic law which established the inviolability of bishoprics, thus raising the question of the coordination of king and Church within the framework of authority and order

Consumer perceptions of innovative wood polymer composite decking with a focus on environmental aspects

The garden market is experiencing a boom not only in Austria. In the last few years garden design has gained popularity and is expected to grow strongly at least in the near future. A large variety of equipment suppliers have significantly enhanced their sales, as well. New services and products are entering the market or increase their rate of application. Among these is the well selling decking that can be of various kind, e.g. wood plastic composites decking (WPC).Due to the fact that wood-plastic composite decking is unfamiliar to Austrian consumers, a survey was initiated to reveal consumers' perceptions of wood plastic composites decking quality. The method chosen for the survey was product concept testing including conjoint analysis. Personal interviews were carried out with the targeted respondents, single-family home owners and "do-it-yourselfers." The survey was carried out in the pre-garden season in winter 2006/07. It was repeated in winter 2007/08 with minor changes. Regardless of the survey 06/07 or 07/08 the main results scarcely diverged. Deemed most important by respondents were issues related with durability followed by product handling, environmental concerns and service aspects at last. Wood-plastic composite decking was perceived more positively by a majority of respondents, across the two surveys. Willingness-to-buy measures of the online survey slightly speak against a "no-go" decision.The survey of 06/07 included conjoint analysis, revealing that the color and the kind of surface of decking planks are deemed most important for the respondents' purchase decision. Plastics share and plastics type are of less importance and the kind of wood-fiber used is of least importance.7

Benjamin Arnold. — Count and Bishop in Medieval Germany. A Study of Regional Power, 1100-1350. Philadelphie, Univers. of Pennsylvania Pr., 1991 (" Middle Ages Ser. ")

Weinfurter Stefan. Benjamin Arnold. — Count and Bishop in Medieval Germany. A Study of Regional Power, 1100-1350. Philadelphie, Univers. of Pennsylvania Pr., 1991 (" Middle Ages Ser. "). In: Cahiers de civilisation médiévale, 38e année (n°150), Avril-juin 1995. pp. 185-186

Benjamin Arnold. — Count and Bishop in Medieval Germany. A Study of Regional Power, 1100-1350. Philadelphie, Univers. of Pennsylvania Pr., 1991 (" Middle Ages Ser. ")

Weinfurter Stefan. Benjamin Arnold. — Count and Bishop in Medieval Germany. A Study of Regional Power, 1100-1350. Philadelphie, Univers. of Pennsylvania Pr., 1991 (" Middle Ages Ser. "). In: Cahiers de civilisation médiévale, 38e année (n°150), Avril-juin 1995. pp. 185-186