Michael Tilleard and Gillian Clegg
Any historical survey of the way in which consumers have organized themselves into associations for their own mutual benefit and protection should really begin with the role…
Abstract
Any historical survey of the way in which consumers have organized themselves into associations for their own mutual benefit and protection should really begin with the role played by the consumer co‐operative movement. But, as Jeremy Mitchell (former Head of Information at Consumers' Association and now Director of the Consumer Affairs Division at the Office of Fair Trading) has pointed out, the co‐operative movement was not really a consumer association at all: ‘The fact that the consumer, in a co‐operative society, is the formal owner of the means of distribution seems to have little significance in practical terms. By analogy, it can be compared with the consumer's formal ownership of the means of production in a nationalized industry, or the individual shareholder's formal ownership of a joint‐stock company.’
Electronic funds transfer, as a practical means of payment, has still not yet resolved basic problems in its application, and there is much uncertainty as to when it will actually…
Abstract
Electronic funds transfer, as a practical means of payment, has still not yet resolved basic problems in its application, and there is much uncertainty as to when it will actually take off in this country. Jeremy Mitchell of the National Consumer Council takes a highly sceptical view of its viability as a payment system; he is particularly concerned that the banks have not consulted the Council abouts its implications nor, so far as he knows, other consumer organisations. His doubts are grouped around the headings of privacy, errors, payment procedures, and costs and benefits; these were the main points he dealt with in an address at the EPOS 80 Congress in June.
The ill‐fated strike by craftsmen at BL Cars is another graphic illustration of industry's pay bargaining muddles.
The prospect of buying a small business computer system poses various traps for the unsuspecting retailer. The main considerations that a firm should bear in mind when buying or…
Abstract
The prospect of buying a small business computer system poses various traps for the unsuspecting retailer. The main considerations that a firm should bear in mind when buying or leasing a system are: hardware, servicing, software, and training. The writer discusses each of these.
Christine Ennew and James Devlin
Evaluates the working of the Financial Services Act, comparing itsearly promise with a rising tide of criticism, suggesting that selfregulation does not adequately safeguard the…
Abstract
Evaluates the working of the Financial Services Act, comparing its early promise with a rising tide of criticism, suggesting that self regulation does not adequately safeguard the consumer interest.
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New terms of grant for the above period have been offered by OSTI and accepted by Aslib. These grants are in four sections: income‐related grants for support of (a) Aslib's…
Abstract
New terms of grant for the above period have been offered by OSTI and accepted by Aslib. These grants are in four sections: income‐related grants for support of (a) Aslib's general range of activities and (b) its general research programme; and expenditure‐related grants for (c) the experimental development and evaluation of new services and (d) contracts for research projects commissioned by OSTI.
The Vienna Centre came into being in May 1963 as a result of a UNESCO initiative. Its primary objective was seen as the development of social science collaboration between…
Abstract
The Vienna Centre came into being in May 1963 as a result of a UNESCO initiative. Its primary objective was seen as the development of social science collaboration between European countries with different socio‐economic and political systems. In practice this meant the organization of research studies which were to be jointly carried out by both West and East European countries.
Presents a theory of change in household decision making. Describes some of the changes as they appear on the UK marketing scene, investigating possible causes of these changes…
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Presents a theory of change in household decision making. Describes some of the changes as they appear on the UK marketing scene, investigating possible causes of these changes. Gives on account of micro‐economic factors and their effect on decision making and choice behaviour.
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This study compares the strategies and impact of six British activist groups, as documented in 1997, with data gathered on the same groups in 2000. These groups, Voice of the…
Abstract
This study compares the strategies and impact of six British activist groups, as documented in 1997, with data gathered on the same groups in 2000. These groups, Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Campaign for Quality Television, Deaf Broadcasting Council, Consumers Association, National Consumers Council and National Listeners and Viewers Association, attempted to build a public sphere for generating debate around and catalysing changes to broadcasting policies and programming. They were tracked in 2000 in order to identify those issues, relationships and groups that had endured. The research design provided a telescopic look at their interactions with their targets and with each other during a period of rapid technological and industry change. In a multichannel broadcasting environment where convergence and globalisation are buzzwords, activists used public relations to create a broader public forum for a wide range of significant issues with which to engage demographically, psychographically and geographically diverse publics. The ensuing media education, media advocacy and relationship building, although elite in origins, strengthened democratic discourse, thus reaffirming broadcasting’s invaluable role in civil society.
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Looks at the effects reduction in Local Government spending has hadon race initiatives in the multi‐racial library service. Notes thatmulti racial librarians will be required to…
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Looks at the effects reduction in Local Government spending has had on race initiatives in the multi‐racial library service. Notes that multi racial librarians will be required to work two days a week at designated service points therefore diluting the service they provide. Concludes that a service for black and ethnic minority communities may be forced to depend on income from the very communities it was created to serve.