Managerial ownership and corporate performance in Slovenian post-privatisation period

The Slovenian post-privatisation period has been characterised by a decline in the ownership by non-managerial owners (employees) and state-controlled funds. On the other hand, domestic and foreign non-financial firms, Privatisation Investment Funds and managers have been increasing their holdings. The latter, namely the growing managerial ownership, is likely to feature in future ownership dynamics in Slovenia. In fact, in 2002 the desired (optimal) ownership stakes estimated by Slovenian managers were 10.8 percentage points higher than their actual stakes. The aim of our paper is to describe the main trends in the ownership of Slovenian corporations in the post-privatisation period and to provide an answer to the basic economic question: what is the influence of the ongoing consolidation of managerial ownership on the performance of Slovenian firms. The empirical analysis testing this relationship is based on a panel of 182 Slovenian firms in the 1995-99 period and does not provide relevant evidence of any positive effects of the increasing managerial control on Slovenian firms' performance. If any, a positive incentive effect is only observed in those firms whose managers' holdings exceed 10-percent, only with regards to firms' financial performance (but not total factor productivity) and only in firms that are not listed on the capital market. Further, the negative effect of the current gap between the desired and actual managerial ownership seems to exceed any positive incentive effect arising out of managerial ownership.managerial ownership; ownership consolidation; corporate performance; corporate governance; transparency

Anancylus Rosanae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata), New Genus and New Species, from Iguazú National Park, Argentina

Fil: Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego Eduardo. División Zoología Invertebrados. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

Decision Making and the Brain: Neurologists' View

The article reflects the fact, that concepts like decision making and free will have entered the field of cognitive neuroscience towards the end of 20th century. It gives an overview of brain structures involved in decision making and the concept of free will; and presenting the results of clinical observations and new methods (functional neuroimaging, electrophysiology) it postulates possible mechanisms of these processes. We give a review of the neuroanatomy, specially discussing those parts of the brain important to the present topic, because the process of decision making is dependent on deep subcortical as well as superficial cortical structures. Dopamine has a central role in the in process of reward related behaviour and hedonism. A list of brain structures, related to dopamine action, is also given. The article especially concentrates on the Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography studies in patients with Parkinson's disease (neuroimaging), as well as to the studies concerning the Readiness Potential and Endogeneous Potential P300 (electrophysiology). In the end, we discuss the volition, whose functional anatomy overlaps with the functional anatomy of free will and decision making processes.cognitive neuroscience, brain, decision making, free will, electrophysiology, functional imaging, dopamine

Informal peer mentoring during the doctoral journey: perspectives of two postgraduate students

Doctoral studies can be isolating for postgraduate students who do not have strong connections with peers within the department through which they are enrolled. Collaboration of doctoral students across disciplines represents an exciting opportunity to decrease isolation, build networks and maximise research output and development of research skills. This paper reports on an informal peer mentoring relationship between two doctoral students at Flinders University in South Australia. The relationship developed through a university writing group in 2008. This progressed to a mentoring relationship built on similar research interests. The students met regularly to assist each other, reflect on the doctoral experience and share learnings. They also supported each other informally through emails. In this paper, we report on how our mentoring relationship relates to postgraduate socialisation and the stages of mentoring reported in the literature. This relationship created a safe “space” outside of the students’ disciplines to talk about issues related to their doctorates. This assisted with coping with the challenges of a doctorate. Through assisting each other, the students learnt that there is much that can be transferred across disciplines. Removing this discipline specific nature of research assisted in developing general research skills. Research output was increased through this process. From 2009 until 2011, the students presented at two conferences, had two papers accepted as conference posters and submitted one manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal, all related to their collaboration. A willingness and commitment from both parties, including a desire to learn about the other discipline, increased the effectiveness of collaborative efforts and enabled the relationship to continue. This experience demonstrates the benefits of collaborating across disciplines. Collaborations between doctoral students from different disciplines could be encouraged by universities as a strategy for supporting postgraduate students and maximising their research output

Systematic Revision of Chilina Gray (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) from Northwestern Argentina and Description of a New Species

Fil: Ovando, Ximena Maria Constanza. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego Eduardo. División Zoología Invertebrados. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

Young Children as Active Citizens in Local Government: Possibilities and challenges from an Australian perspective

This article is made available in accordance with the Springer self-archiving policy. Embargoed by the publisher until 30 April 2017Despite considerable research and discussion regarding children and young people’s rights and citizenship, the participation of young children in community decision-making is still limited. In this exploratory research, a case study is reported on how ideas about young children as active citizens are interpreted within one local government context. Data were collected and analysed from nine local government staff who completed an online survey. The survey focused on issues with respect to: services and programmes for young children; inclusion of young children in local government policies and plans; how local government defines active citizenship; how children could participate as active citizens; and an open-ended question regarding the avenues and possibilities for young children to express their opinions and be involved in local government decision-making. The findings suggested that while older children and adolescents may be involved in consultation processes, this local government did not have effective mechanisms for enabling young children to readily participate in their communities as active citizens. The conclusions offer some ideas about the possibilities for change. In particular, greater collaboration between local government and early childhood education programmes is important if young children are to be equipped and involved in the local government decisions affecting them

A school-based approach to developing the English proficiency of EAL university students

Made available with permission of the publisher.This paper provides a case study of a school-based approach to language de-velopment and support for English as an additional language (EAL) students within the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Flinders University. The case study addresses the need for greater knowledge about different organisa-tional approaches to EAL support within tertiary education. While there are numerous university-wide and faculty-based programs and support for EAL students, school-based approaches are much less common. The paper out-lines the context from which the decision to employ an English for specific purposes (ESP) academic within the school emerged. The initial response and modifications made as a greater understanding of student and staff needs and preferences developed are outlined. Along with the role and activities of the ESP academic, challenges are also discussed

Quantum control via a genetic algorithm of the field ionization pathway of a Rydberg electron

Quantum control of the pathway along which a Rydberg electron field ionizes is experimentally and computationally demonstrated. Selective field ionization is typically done with a slowly rising electric field pulse. The $(1/n^*)^4$ scaling of the classical ionization threshold leads to a rough mapping between arrival time of the electron signal and principal quantum number of the Rydberg electron. This is complicated by the many avoided level crossings that the electron must traverse on the way to ionization, which in general leads to broadening of the time-resolved field ionization signal. In order to control the ionization pathway, thus directing the signal to the desired arrival time, a perturbing electric field produced by an arbitrary waveform generator is added to a slowly rising electric field. A genetic algorithm evolves the perturbing field in an effort to achieve the target time-resolved field ionization signal.Comment: Corrected minor typographic errors and changed the titl