Determinants of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among practitioners employed in intercollegiate sport organizations

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into factors that influence job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among intercollegiate athletics department employees. Factors influencing job satisfaction could impact one’s job performance and willingness to remain in a job. When employees are satisfied with their work, they are more likely to remain at their job and successfully complete tasks in association with the job (Kaltenbaugh, 2009; Dixon & Warner, 2010). In order to gain insight with regard to factors influencing job satisfaction, five individuals who were employed within intercollegiate athletics departments participated in this study. Four of the participants worked at NCAA Division I institutions. One participant worked at an NCAA Division II institution. Two themes responsible for feelings of satisfaction and two themes connected to feelings of dissatisfaction emerged from the interview data. The themes related to satisfaction were: (a) student development and achievement and (b) workplace relationships and environment. The themes related to dissatisfaction were: (a) personnel management and (b) financial pressures /lack of resources. Further examination of perspectives and experiences of current employees could be beneficial to those who are interested in pursuing a career in this profession. Understanding the elements that contribute to job satisfaction could help upper level management attract and retain quality employees. In addition, these findings can help individuals who possess an interest in entering the sport industry be better prepared for the challenges and circumstances they might encounter

How the ‘red card’ system could increase the power of national parliaments within the EU

One of the reforms included in the deal negotiated by David Cameron in February was the provision of a so called ‘red card’ system, under which national parliaments would be able to veto new EU legislation if 55% of parliaments registered opposition. Ian Cooper writes that while some have argued the system would be rarely used, it should be seen as merely the latest step in a trend toward giving national parliaments a greater role in the politics of the EU

Inter-parliamentary rivalry has inhibited effective oversight of EU economic governance after the crisis

The third meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Economic and Financial Governance (IPC-EFG) will begin on 29 September in Rome. Ian Cooper writes on the development of the IPC-EFG, which emerged from the Fiscal Compact treaty signed by 25 EU member states in 2012 as a mechanism for allowing greater parliamentary oversight of EU economic governance. He writes that while the conference has so far been undermined by internal debates over how it should be structured, the meeting in Italy will offer a fresh opportunity to resolve some of these outstanding questions and enable the IPC-EFG to start performing its role more effectively

The story of the first ‘yellow card’ shows that national parliaments can act together to influence EU policy

The Treaty of Lisbon introduced a so called ‘yellow card’ system under which national parliaments can force the European Commission to review an EU legislative proposal if one third of parliaments issue an objection. As Ian Cooper writes, the yellow card system was initially treated with scepticism by some commentators on the basis that it would be difficult for parliaments to co-ordinate sufficiently to meet the one-third threshold. He argues, however, that the experience of the first use of the procedure in May 2012 illustrates the potential for parliaments to act together and exercise real influence over EU policy-making

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), formerly called fast track, is the authority Congress has granted to the President for limited periods of time to negotiate reciprocal trade agreements. The authority lays out U.S. trade negotiating objectives, procedures for congressional-executive notification and consultation, and expedited legislative procedures under which bills implementing trade agreements negotiated by the executive branch are to be considered. The most recent authority was enacted in December 2002 and expired as of July 1, 2007. Legislation to reauthorize TPA has been introduced in the 113th Congress. The United States is engaged in several sets of trade agreement negotiations. The issue of TPA reauthorization has raised a number of questions regarding TPA itself and the pending legislation. This report addresses a number of those questions that are frequently asked, including: • What is trade promotion authority? • Is TPA necessary? • What are trade negotiating objectives and how are they reflected in TPA statutes? • What requirements does Congress impose on the President under TPA? • Does TPA affect congressional authority on trade policy