The net benefit of saving the Asian elephant: a policy and contingent valuation study

Reports results from a contingent valuation (CV) survey of willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of the Asian elephant of a sample of urban residents living in three selected housing schemes in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Face-to-face surveys were conducted using an interview schedule (IS). A non-linear logit regression model is used to analyse the respondents' responses for the payment principle questions and to identify the factors that influence their responses. We investigate whether urban residents' WTP for the conservation of elephants is sufficient to compensate farmers for the damage caused by elephants. We find that the beneficiaries (the urban residents) could compensate losers (the fanners in the areas affected by human-elephant conflict, HEC) and be better off than in the absence of elephants in Sri Lanka. Therefore, there is a strong economic case for the conservation of the wild elephant population in Sri Lanka. However, we have insufficient data to determine the optimal level of this elephant population in the Kaldor-Hicks sense. Nevertheless, the current population of elephant in Sri Lanka is Kaldor-Hicks preferable to having none. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Policies for saving a rare Australian glider: economics and ecology

This paper considers the economics of conserving a species with mainly non-use value, the endangered mahogany glider. Three serial surveys of Brisbane residents provide data on the knowledge of respondents about the mahogany glider. The results supply information about the attitudes of respondents to the mahogany glider, to its conservation and relevant public policies, and about variations in these factors as the knowledge of participants of the mahogany glider alters. Similarly, data are provided and analysed about the willingness to pay of respondents to conserve the mahogany glider and how it changes. Population viability analysis is applied to estimate the required habitat area for a minimum viable population of the mahogany glider to ensure at least a 95% probability of its survival for 100 years. Places are identified in Queensland where the requisite minimum area of critical habitat can be conserved. Using the survey results as a basis, the likely willingness of groups of Australians to pay for the conservation of the mahogany glider is estimated and consequently their willingness to pay for the minimum required area of its habitat. Methods for estimating the cost of protecting this habitat are outlined. Australia-wide benefits are estimated to exceed the costs. Establishing a national park containing the minimum viable population of the mahogany glider is an appealing management option. This would also be beneficial in conserving other endangered wildlife species and ecosystems. Therefore, additional economic benefits to those estimated on account of the mahogany glider itself can be obtained. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Information, Wildlife Valuation, Conservation: Experiments and Policy

The authors use experimental surveys to investigate the association between individuals' knowledge of particular wildlife species and their stated willingness to allocate funds to conserve each. The nature of variations in these allocations between species (e.g., their dispersion) as participants' knowledge increases is examined. Factors influencing these changes are suggested. Willingness-to-pay allocations are found not to measure the economic value of species, but are shown to be policy relevant. The results indicate that poorly known species, e.g., in remote areas, may obtain relatively less conservation support than they deserve. (JEL Q51, Q57, Q58)

Association of public support for survival of wildlife species with their likeability

We surveyed 204 individuals from the general public in Brisbane, Australia, to ascertain the extent to which they liked or disliked 24 species of wildlife (belonging to three classes: mammals, birds and reptiles) present in tropical Australia. We calculated likeability indices for each species. We also asked respondents if they favored the survival of each of these species, and were able to calculate the percentage of respondents favoring survival of each. Using linear regression analysis, we could relate the percentage of respondents favoring survival of each of the species to their indices of likeability. In addition, we compared the mean likeability of species in the three classes (mammals, birds and reptiles) with the respondents' allocation of funds (hypothetical 1,000 Australian dollars) between conservation of species and a human charity. From this, we were able to assess how important stated likeability is for preferences to conserve species by animal class, and reconsidered the hypothesis in the literature that there is likely to be more public support for the survival of mammals than for birds, and more support for the survival of birds than for reptiles.

The cultural facet of suicidal behaviour: Its importance and neglect

Culture is a central but debated concept in many disciplines and its complexity may become an even bigger source of argument in Suicidology. In spite of the intricacy of the study of this construct, the paper illustrates that various scholars have recognised the relevance of culture and ethnicity in the understanding of suicidal behaviour. The author provides evidence of the need to pay more attention to the meaning and interpretation of suicide in cross-cultural research and underlines the necessity to establish cultural-sensitive prevention strategies. The paper closes by providing methodological considerations and suggestions for future research on cultural aspects of suicidal behaviour.

The influence of communication sources on perceived risk about purchasing online

In this paper we report on a qualitative study into the influence of personal and non-personal communication sources in creating, sustaining and/or mediating people's perceptions of risk about purchasing online. In terms of non-personal communication sources, our findings suggest that the popular media significantly influence both purchasers and nonpurchasers’ perceptions of risk about using the Web for purchasing. Despite these negative perceptions, those who have purchased online appear to pay little attention to change agent communications on websites, such as logos, icons and statements about secure payment systems, which are designed to alleviate these concerns. In terms of inter-personal communication sources, our findings suggest that while there is evidence that to some degree, friends or peers influenced the interviewees about purchasing online, the purchasers in our study indicated that they would not influence others to do the same. We conclude our paper with suggestions for future interpretive research into the influence of communication sources on acceptance of the Web for purchasing.

A SUPREMA GLORIFICAÇÃO: UM ESTUDO SOBRE A APOTEOSE DE JESUS A PARTIR DE JOÃO 5.19-30

Diante da pluralidade encontrada nas primeiras comunidades cristãs, a questão da divindade de Jesus é objeto de polêmicas. Os evangelhos sinóticos tratam a questão com certa discrição. Porém, o chamado Quarto Evangelho, traz uma revelação mais incisiva a respeito deste questionamento. Qual seria a razão para que a comunidade Joanina enfatizasse a divindade de Jesus? Há de se atentar para o fato de que conflitos com correntes diversas estivessem se fazendo presente na realidade de algumas comunidades, entre elas a de João, o que provavelmente levou a uma defesa mais contundente a respeito da questão. Pesquisas nos conduzem ao fato de que o Quarto Evangelho assinala a diversidade do cristianismo no I século e a realidade de um movimento que já estava se institucionalizando e se tornando fonte de poder não apenas religioso. A pericope de João 5. 19-30 revela uma evolução, por vezes confusa, no conceito da divindade de Jesus onde a terminologia filho se confunde com tradições judaicas e a figura dos filhos dos deuses presente no mundo antigo.

A questão da terra no livro de Jó - Um estudo exegético de Jó 15

O sofrimento que aparece no livro de Jó pode ser considerado de diversas formas. Esta dissertação analisa a questão da terra como um eixo em torno do qual Jó e seus interlocutores debatem. Não se trata de um simples debate entre sábios, mas de uma situação de violência social, vitimando principalmente os pobres. Estes, não tendo como pagar os tributos exigidos pelo sistema imperial, vêem suas terras e casas invadidas, as marcas divisórias de suas propriedades mudadas, seus animais roubados e suas vidas reduzidas à escravidão. A terra está sendo violada, a injustiça é visível e o tribunal encontra-se fechado para ouvir o clamor dos injustiçados. Contemplando toda essa realidade, Jó lança seu grito de protesto. Três amigos chegam para o consolar, mas não entram a fundo na questão levantada. Elifaz e seus companheiros têm uma posição diferente da de Jó. A dissertação está organizada em três capítulos. O primeiro apresenta uma visão geral do livro de Jó, com observações necessárias em função do estudo a ser feito, com enfoque no diálogo de Elifaz, na questão da terra na Bíblia e no período persa. O segundo capítulo é dedicado à análise exegética do capítulo 15. A divisão em três partes respeita o argumento de Elifaz: a condenação às palavras de Jó, um ensinamento em relação à terra e a condenação do ímpio. O último capítulo amplia a visão da questão da terra para todo o livro de Jó e procura identificar cada um dos personagens: os estrangeiros, os ímpios, os interlocutores de Jó, os pobres e o próprio Jó. O importante é saber qual o lugar que cada um ocupa na sociedade e o que eles representam na questão da terra. (AU)

O DEUS ROSIANO: ANÁLISE TEOLÓGICO-LITERÁRIA DAS IMAGENS AMBÍ-GUAS DE DEUS EM GRANDE SERTÃO: VEREDAS

Tudo é e não é . Analisar algumas imagens ambíguas de Deus em Grande Sertão: Veredas foi o objetivo desta dissertação. Para tanto, essa análise é uma tentativa interdisciplinar de leitura e interpretação, em que Teologia e Literatura são interlocutoras. A partir do romance rosiano, sob à luz hermenêutica da crítica literária e da reflexão teológica, tentamos indicar que a escritura de João Guimarães Rosa apresenta Deus de modo ambíguo. Essa assertiva é possível, pois se percebeu na provisoriedade humana, poetizada pelo escritor e personificada por Riobaldo, o traço sine qua non do modo de ver mundos misturados . Ao rememorar e renarrar as estórias sua vida, Riobaldo abre espaço ao Mistério. Nonada . Em cada travessia, o protagonista-narrador reflete acerca de Deus , por meio da fala poética cujas imagens diversas sugerem um Deus muito contrariado . Sem enquadramentos teológicos e/ou filosóficos definitivos, Rosa provoca-nos ao mostrar-nos que o Deus que roda tudo revela-se e evade-se no sertão-universo. Lugar físico-mítico. É no sertão que intentamos seguir os rastros de Deus segundo a íris riobaldiana. Olhar de constante movimento entre o obscuro e o revelado, entre o é e não é.(AU)

O ENSINO DA COMUNICAÇÃO EMPRESARIAL EM MATO GROSSO DO SUL: dificuldades e desafios para incorporar as novas mídias on-line

A comunicação empresarial se desenvolve a passos largos, acompanhando as mudanças ocorridas no mercado, no universo da comunicação e na própria sociedade. A gestão do relacionamento com os públicos de interesse das organizações se tornou mais complexa e faz com que os profissionais da área atentem para as novas realidades do mercado. Em função desse novo cenário, é fundamental a capacitação do profissional para lidar com as mídias sociais, e ela deve se iniciar já no momento de sua formação universitária. Para a pesquisa bibliográfica, utilizamos como principais autores Bueno (2009), Scott (2008; 2011) e Terra (2011).Por serem assuntos relativamente novos, foram realizadas, ainda, entrevistas semiestruturadas com autores/pesquisadores da área para verificar as situações ideais do ensino da comunicação organizacional atuais. Com objetivo de apresentarmos as condições, percepções e desafios da formação do profissional da comunicação de Mato Grosso do Sul para trabalhar com a comunicação empresarial, foram feitas entrevistas semiestruturadas com os professores das faculdades e fechadas com os acadêmicos, de forma que demos atenção especial para seus conhecimentos e suas práticas nesses novos ambientes de interação. Dentre os resultados encontrados estão a necessidade da formação ampla do profissional com conhecimento da área da comunicação e organizações e a conclusão que essa formação integral garante à atuação dele em qualquer mídia/ferramenta.

Le prix de l'individualité. Maine de Brian, Samuel Taylor Coleridge et la volonté: Deux postétités distinctes

This thesis is concerned with Maine de Biran’s and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s conceptions of will, and the way in which both thinkers’ posterities have been affected by the central role of these very conceptions in their respective bodies of thought. The research question that animates this work can therefore be divided into two main parts, one of which deals with will, while the other deals with its effects on posterity. In the first pages of the Introduction, I make the case for a comparison between two philosophers, and show how this comparison can bring one closer to truth, understood not in objective, but in subjective terms. I then justify my choice by underlining that, in spite of their many differences, Maine de Biran and Samuel Taylor Coleridge followed comparable paths, intellectually and spiritually, and came to similar conclusions concerning the essential activity of the human mind. Finally, I ask whether it is possible that this very focus on the human will may have contributed to the state of both thinkers’ works and of the reception of those works. This prologue is followed by five parts. In the first part, the similarities and differences between the two thinkers are explored further. In the second part, the connections between philosophy and singularity are examined, in order to show the ambivalence of the will as a foundation for truth. The third part is dedicated to the traditional division between subject and object in psychology, and its relevance in history and in moral philosophy. The fourth part tackles the complexity of the question of influence, with respect to both Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s cases, both thinkers being indebted to many philosophers of all times and places, and having to rely heavily on others for the publication, or the interpretation of their own works. The fifth part is concerned with the different aspects of the faculty of will, and primarily its relationship with interiority, as incommensurability, and actual, conditioned existence in a certain historical and spatial context. It ends with a return to the question of will and posterity and an announcement of what will be covered in the main body of the thesis. The main body is divided into three parts:‘L’émancipation’, ‘L’affirmation, and ‘La projection’. The first part is devoted to the way Maine de Biran and Samuel Taylor Coleridge extricated themselves from one epistemological paradigm to contribute to the foundation of another. It is divided in four chapters. The first chapter deals with the aforementioned change of paradigm, as corresponding to the emergence of two separate but associated movements, Romanticism and what the French philosopher refers to as ‘The Age of History’. The second chapter concerns the movement that preceded them, i.e. the Enlightenment, its main features according to both of our thinkers, and the two epistemological models that prevailed under it and influenced them heavily in their early years: Sensationism (Maine de Biran) and Associationism (Coleridge). The third chapter is about the probable influence of Immanuel Kant and his followers on Maine de Biran and Coleridge, and the various facts that allow us to claim originality for both thinkers’ works. In the fourth chapter, I contrast Maine de Biran and Coleridge with other movements and thinkers of their time, showing that, contrary to their respective thoughts, Maine de Biran and Coleridge could not but break free from the then prevailing systematic approach to truth. The second part of the thesis is concerned with the first part of its research question, namely, Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s conceptions of the will. It is divided into four chapters. The first chapter is a reflection on the will as a paradox: on the one hand, the will cannot be caused by any other phenomenon, or it is no longer a will; but it cannot be left purely undetermined, as if it is, it is then not different from chance. It thus needs, in order to be, to be contradictorily already moral. The second chapter is a comparison between Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s accounts of the origin of the will, where it is found that the French philosopher only observes that he has a will, whereas the English philosopher postulates the existence of this will. The comparison between Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s conceptions of the will is pursued in the third chapter, which tackles the question of the coincidence between the will and the self, in both thinkers’ works. It ends with the fourth chapter, which deals with the question of the relationship between the will and what is other to it, i.e. bodily sensations, passions and desires. The third part of the thesis focuses on the second part of its research question, namely the posterity of Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s works. It is divided into four chapters. The first chapter constitutes a continuation of the last chapter of the preceding part, in that that it deals with Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s relations to the ‘other’, and particularly their potential and actual audience, and with the way these relations may have affected their writing and publishing practices. The second chapter is a survey of both thinkers’ general reception, where it is found that, while Maine de Biran has been claimed by two important movements of thoughts as their initiator, Coleridge has been neglected by the only real movement he could have, or may indeed have pioneered. The third chapter is more directly concerned with the posterities of Maine de Biran’s and Coleridge’s conceptions of will, and attempts to show that the approach to, and the meaning of the will have evolved throughout the nineteenth century, and in the French Spiritualist and the British Idealist movements, from an essentially personal one to a more impersonal one. The fourth chapter is a partial conclusion, whose aim is to give a precise idea of where Maine de Biran and Coleridge stand, in relation to their century and to the philosophical movements and matters we are concerned with. The conclusion is a recapitulation of what has been found, with a particular emphasis on the dialogue initiated between Maine de Biran and Coleridge on the will, and the relation between will and posterity. It suggests that both thinkers have to pay the price of a problematic reception for the individuality that pervades their respective works, and goes further in suggesting that s/he who chooses to found his individuality on the will is bound to feel this incompleteness in his/her own personal life more acutely than s/he who does not. It ends with a reflection on fixedness and movement, as the two antagonistic states that the theoretician of the will paradoxically aspires to.

Evaluation of public housing strategies in Mexico City : an exploratory goal programming approach

This thesis describes the development and use of a goal programming methodology for the evaluation of public housjng strategies in Mexico City, The methodology responds to the need to incorporate the location, size and densities of housing projects on the one hand, and "external" constraints such as the ability of low income families to pay for housing, and the amounts of capital and land available, on the other. The provision of low cost housing by public housing agencies in Mexico City is becoming increasingly difficult because there are so many constraints to be met and overcome, the most important of which is the ability of families to pay for housing. Other important limiting factors are the availability of capital and of land plots of the right size in desired locations. The location of public housing projects is significant because it determines the cost and pattern of work trips, which in a metropolitan area such as Mexico City are of considerable importance to both planners and potential. house owners. In addition, since the price of land is closely related to its location, the last factor is also significant in determining the price of the total housing package. Consequently there is a major trade-off between a housing strategy based on the provision of housing at locations close to employment, and the opposite one based on the provjsion of housjng at locations where employment accessibility is poorer but housing can be provided at a lower price. The goal programming evaluation methodology presented in this thesis was developed to aid housing planners to evaluate housing strategies which incorporate the issues raised above,

Public participation by appeal - insights from empirical evaluation in Finland

Environmental law increasingly provides for participatory rights, including appeal rights, to ensure informed, legitimate decision-making. Despite consensus around the general need for participatory rights, including strong ones such as a right to appeal, public participation in environmental decision-making is often criticised. The critics' main argument is that the negative side effects resulting particularly from the use of strong participatory rights outweigh their benefits. Recent regulatory trends arising from better regulation policy to make environmental decision-making more cost-efficient tend to pay special attention to such arguments despite limited empirical evidence. This article provides evidence using material-concerning appeals against pollution permits in Finland and suggests that judicial review is a necessary and effective process for both protecting citizens' rights and improving the quality of environmental protection. © The Author [2008]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Institutions and equity structure of foreign affiliates

Question/Issue: We combine agency and institutional theory to explain the division of equity shares between the foreign (majority) and local (minority) partners within foreign affiliates. We posit that once the decision to invest is made, the ownership structure is arranged so as to generate appropriate incentives to local partners, taking into account both the institutional environment and the firm-specific difficulty in monitoring. Research Findings/Insights: Using a large firm-level dataset for the period 2003-2011 from 16 Central and Eastern European countries and applying selectivity corrected estimates, we find that both weaker host country institutions and higher share of intangible assets in total assets in the firm imply higher minority equity share of local partners. The findings hold when controlling for host country effects and when the attributes of the institutional environment are instrumented. Theoretical/Academic Implications: The classic view is that weak institutions lead to concentrated ownership, yet it leaves the level of minority equity shares unexplained. Our contribution uses a firm-level perspective combined with national-level variation in the institutional environment, and applies agency theory to explain the minority local partner share in foreign affiliates. In particular, we posit that the information asymmetry and monitoring problem in firms are exacerbated by weak host country institutions, but also by the higher share of intangible assets in total assets. Practitioner/Policy Implications: Assessing investment opportunities abroad, foreign firms need to pay attention not only to features directly related to corporate governance (e.g., bankruptcy codes) but also to the broad institutional environment. In weak institutional environments, foreign parent firms need to create strong incentives for local partners by offering them significant minority shares in equity. The same recommendation applies to firms with higher shares of intangible assets in total assets. © 2014 The Authors.

Orders for sale:the creditor and the family home : part one

This, the first part of a two-part article on the discretionary powers of the courts to order a sale of the family home at the request of a secured creditor, considers whether the enactment of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 s.15 has led judicial decision making to favour the interests of the co-owner of the home. Reviews cases heard since the coming into force of the Act, looking at the factors taken into account when balancing the interests of the creditor and debtor, including the continued need to have a family home, the availability of other assets to pay off the debt, the size of the debt and the likelihood of repayment.