White Constituents and Congressional Voting

Why do some members of Congress vote more on the extremes of their party than others? I argue that lawmakers representing more homogeneously white districts have greater electoral incentive to moderate their voting records, since the two parties compete more for support of white voters than for the support of minority voters. I provide evidence using roll-call votes from the U.S. House and Senate. I find members representing more homogeneously white districts have more moderate voting records, a finding that holds for Democrats and Republicans. I explore two potential mechanisms: legislator responsiveness and electoral punishment. While legislators do not seem to adjust their voting behavior in response to short-term changes in district racial composition, more homogeneously white districts are found to assess larger vote share penalties on more extreme candidates in general elections. The findings have implications for our understanding of race, representation, and electoral accountability

The State of Innovation and New Product Development in the North American Lumber and Panel Industry

Softwood lumber and structural and non-structural panel manufacturers in North America were surveyed to develop a better understanding of the state-of-the-art within these sectors with respect to innovation and new product development. The 160 responding mills were heavily oriented towards process innovation as compared to product or business systems innovation. Overall, respondents lack a systematic approach to new product development and the use of new product development tools. Firms actively use financial analyses and process-related testing, but seldom use customer-centric, marketing-related new product development tools and steps. Very few differences were found among the three sectors of the industry. Forest products firms may benefit from a more well-balanced portfolio approach to innovation and a more structured approach to new product development

Lichens from one locality at Frederikshåbs Isblink and two localities in the Fiskenæsset area, South West Greenland

A total of 156 taxa of lichens are reported from one locality near Frederikshåbs Isblink and two localities north and east of Fiskenæsset in South West Greenland. 23 taxa are new to the Frederikshåb and Fiskenæsset region. Geology, climate and vegetation of the three localities are briefly treated.

Lichens from Peary Land, North Greenland

A total of 81 taxa of lichens are reported from Peary Land and adjacent areas in North Greenland. Six taxa are new to Peary Land.

A contribution to the lichen flora of Iceland

A total of 202 taxa of lichens are reported from nine localities in Iceland. 12 lichens are new to Iceland, viz. Acarospora rhizobola, Caloplaca fraudans, Candelariella dispersa, C. terrigena, C. xanthostigma, Lecanora argopholis, L. atromarginata, Lecidella scabra, Lichenomphalia alpina, Rhizocarpon lecanorinum, R. pusillum and Stereocaulon symphycheilum. Geology, climate and vegetation of the investigation area are briefly treated.