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Physical environments, especially the sound environments of ILSs on a university campus, have become increasingly important in satisfying the diverse needs of students. Poor sound environments are widely acknowledged to lead to inefficient and underutilised spaces and to negatively influence students' learning outcomes. This study proposes two hypotheses to explore whether students' sound environment perceptions are related to their individual characteristics and whether students' preferences for the type of ILS are related to their sound environment sensitivities.

An investigation through a questionnaire survey has been conducted on both students' individual characteristics affecting their sound environment perceptions in informal learning spaces (ILSs) of a university campus and their sensitivities to the sound environments in ILSs affecting their preferences for the type of ILSs.

The research findings indicate that students' sound environment perceptions are associated with some of their individual characteristics. In addition, the results show that students' sound environment sensitivities affect their preferences for the type of ILS they occupy.

This study could help architects and managers of university learning spaces to provide better sound environments for students, thereby improving their learning outcomes. The article contributes valuable insights into the correlation between students' individual characteristics, sound environment perceptions and preferences for ILSs. The research findings add to the existing knowledge in this field and offer practical implications for enhancing design and management of university learning environments.

Presents a special issue, enlisting the help of the author’s students and colleagues, focusing on age, sex, colour and disability discrimination in America. Breaks the evidence down into manageable chunks, covering: age discrimination in the workplace; discrimination against African‐Americans; sex discrimination in the workplace; same sex sexual harassment; how to investigate and prove disability discrimination; sexual harassment in the military; when the main US job‐discrimination law applies to small companies; how to investigate and prove racial discrimination; developments concerning race discrimination in the workplace; developments concerning the Equal Pay Act; developments concerning discrimination against workers with HIV or AIDS; developments concerning discrimination based on refusal of family care leave; developments concerning discrimination against gay or lesbian employees; developments concerning discrimination based on colour; how to investigate and prove discrimination concerning based on colour; developments concerning the Equal Pay Act; using statistics in employment discrimination cases; race discrimination in the workplace; developments concerning gender discrimination in the workplace; discrimination in Japanese organizations in America; discrimination in the entertainment industry; discrimination in the utility industry; understanding and effectively managing national origin discrimination; how to investigate and prove hiring discrimination based on colour; and, finally, how to investigate sexual harassment in the workplace.

Looks at how US organizations can prevent gender discrimination and support women in the workplace. Lists the actions that organizations have been recommended to take to ensure that the women reach their full potential within the workplace. Also looks at the potential of companies providing benefits, such as child care, maternity/family leave and flexible working arrangements to support women employees with children.

Americans today are struggling more than ever with taking family leave and the financial ramifications that come with it. As more women populate the workforce and as our society grows in age, federal and state bills are being passed that allow employees to take the necessary leave to tend to new children, serious illnesses and elder care. California was the first state to pass a paid family leave law that provides employees with up to six weeks of paid leave. The details of Senate Bill 1661, the impact and future consequences have been outlined. The conclusion is that California has once again completed meaningful and effective legislation to improve citizen’s way of life.

Looks at how children’s awareness of self and the world around them grows during their childhood, examining children’s limitations and capabilities from age six to adulthood. Outlines two opposing research approaches to child development, one biologically determinate and deriving from Piaget, the other more culture related and associated with Vygotsky; opts for a “natural history” approach that relates children to their various contexts. Details the world of middle childhood, starting at six years of age and covering areas like language, game strategy and humour development, then moves on to the tweens, who become increasingly conscious of brands and the desirability of possessing branded goods; finally discusses youth and the frontiers of adulthood.

A lot of factors lead to the development of overweight and obesity in children. This article highlights that in this context, preventing childhood obesity must be at the core of the various agencies’ priorities such as food industry, stores, parents, schools, authorities as well as advertising agencies.

A critical examination of the existing literature led to a considered evaluation of the EPODE programme.

Preventing childhood obesity needs collaboration between all the concerned parts through a common project.

The evaluation of the programme would benefit from a systematic analysis of investment and measurable outcomes. There are important implications for planning public policy in local communities as identification of relevant stakeholders should be considered from the outset.

The EPODE case is a uniquely French programme that included almost all the town community (government, school, children, parents, food and drink manufactures, etc) through a common objective: preventing childhood obesity.

Cultural diversity has become a major issue in the United States. Issues of cultural diversity are more focused, especially in the classroom setting. There are several techniques that may be applied to teaching to accommodate students of diverse backgrounds. Teachers must first be aware of stereo types, ethnocentrism, and prejudice. They should apply management techniques to the physical space as well as students’ behaviour. Multiple intelligence theory, active learning, technology and multicultural education are among some of the techniques that may be applied to teaching in the classroom. In addition to teaching modifications, teachers must include the parents in the classroom activities. Teachers should be familiar with the obstacles they may face when implementing the techniques. These methods also have future implications in the higher education setting. Professors may utilise these techniques in their lectures. Students who have had these practices integrated into their learning will also be better prepared for higher education and for the workforce.

The prevalence of pregnancy discrimination is highlighted by the fact that pregnancy discrimination charges are the fastest‐growing type of discrimination complaints filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Inspite of a strong legal framework for the protection of women from pregnancy discrimination, it is extremely difficult to prove the cases in our court system. The role of women has changed in our society in the last 50 years. Women are increasingly complaining about pregnancy discrimination despite the fact that they form almost half of the workforce in the United States. There is a need for educating businesses and society at large so that we respect and support a woman’s right to fair treatment during her pregnancy.

Summarizes the evidence that US firms benefit from making the workplace more family‐friendly. Looks at the main issues of family leave, dependent care and flexible work schedules, setting out the extent to which firms offer these benefits. Indicates the impact of the Family and Medical Leave Act, indicating the number of firms that are affected by this legislation. Briefly sets out the other types of benefits offered to employees by US firms. Outlines the case for firms developing work/family programmes and discusses how these should be implemented.

Devotes the entire journal issue to managing human behaviour in US industries, with examples drawn from the airline industry, trading industry, publishing industry, metal products industry, motor vehicle and parts industry, information technology industry, food industry, the airline industry in a turbulent environment, the automotive sales industry, and specialist retailing industry. Outlines the main features of each industry and the environment in which it is operating. Provides examples, insights and quotes from Chief Executive Officers, managers and employees on their organization’s recipe for success. Mentions the effect technology has had in some industries. Talks about skilled and semi‐skilled workers, worker empowerment and the formation of teams. Addresses also the issue of change and the training that is required to deal with it in different industry sectors. Discusses remuneration packages and incentives offered to motivate employees. Notes the importance of customers in the face of increased competition. Extracts from each industry sector the various human resource practices that companies employ to manage their employees effectively ‐ revealing that there is a wide diversity in approach and what is right for one industry sector would not work in another. Offers some advice for managers, but, overall, fails to summarize what constitutes effective means of managing human behaviour.