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The purpose of this paper is to discuss two‐dimensional electromagnetic diffraction by a finite set of parallel nonlinear rods (optical Kerr effect). To point out the versatility of this approach, a nonlinear (Kerr‐effect) finite crystal is considered.

In this paper, a new route for obtaining the scattered field by nonlinear obstacles is proposed. The basic idea consists in simulating the real incident field (e.g. plane waves) by a virtual field emitted by an appropriate antenna, located in a meshed domain, and encompassing or lying above the obstacles. This latest problem is then solved by a finite element method that is well suited to take into account the material inhomogeneities due to the nonlinearity of the permittivity.

The transmission through a finite Kerr crystal doped by a microcavity is given and a resonant wavelength is obtained. At this resonant wavelength, it is shown that the nonlinearity has a large influence on the behaviour of the electromagnetic wave.

Introducing the concept of virtual antenna, the paper proposes a rigorous treatment of the scattering of an electromagnetic wave by a bounded nonlinear obstacle of arbitrary shape.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the elucidation of key concepts in the new field of strategy‐as‐practice, in order to clarify the proper object of inquiry/unit of analysis. It does so by evaluating the degree of incorporation of Pierre Bourdieu's “theory of practice” in the literature. Bourdieu is one of the pioneers of the “practice turn” in sociology.

A summary and graphical framework of the key concepts of Bourdieu's “theory of practice” are developed. A small “theoretical sample” (in the sense used in “grounded theory” methodology) of representative authors and articles in the new field of strategy‐as‐practice is analyzed vis‐à‐vis the developed framework to probe and evaluate the degree of inclusion of Bourdieu's key concepts in the literature.

The incorporation of Bourdieu's key concepts is very limited and sometimes misinterpreted. His concept of “habitus” is generally cited, but its collective implications are not emphasized and neither is its connection to social structures and power. There is significant debate around the proper unit of analysis for the new field of strategy‐as‐practice, as well as issues of the relation between micro and macro approaches to strategy.

The paper opens up new conceptual possibilities for the understanding and possible application of Bourdieu's “theory of practice.”

We estimate the effects of job insecurity on the mental health of older workers in the United States. To address endogeneity problems, we exploit panel data and plausibly exogenous changes in job loss expectations following eliminations of similar positions and other types of jobs at the worker’s employer, as well as changes in employment at the industry–state level. We provide evidence that job insecurity, as measured by the self-reported probability of job loss, increases stress at work and the risk of clinical depression. We also find that the use of instrumental variables increases the size of the estimated effects. We interpret this as evidence that job insecurity which is outside the control of workers may have much larger effects on mental health. Our findings suggest that employers should worry about the mental health of workers in periods of downsizing, periods which are crucial for the recovery of firms in financial difficulties and which may depend particularly on the productivity of its workers.

Discuss in detail the uses which might legitimately be made of the following passage by the writer of a profound study of economic life and thought in France at the end of the reign of Louis XIV. In answering the question make full use of your knowledge of (a) historical criticism; (b) French economic and general history.

Explains that the following articles provide the opportunity to look at how the concept of social exclusion develops when it is approached sociologically. Outlines the content and briefly comments on each of their themes.

As calls have been made to characterize and theorise performance measurement systems (PMS) and as these systems are highly contextualised because of their mission-critical nature, the purpose of this paper is to generate empirically-valid and useful findings with regard to their characterisation as information technology artefacts through an approach founded upon the user’s perspective.

Using both qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches, the authors conducted a field study through extensive interviews in situ with the owner-managers of 16 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The PMS are characterised, from their users’ point of view, in terms of their functional attributes as information systems dedicated to the management of organisational performance, that is, as being either operational, functional, managerial or organisational systems.

Having modelled the PMS artefact in terms of its artefactual dimensions and features, the authors have empirically validated a characterisation approach that allows researchers to circumscribe this artefact within its specific usage context and to identify its salient attributes as study variables.

The research findings provide an empirical basis for the design and evaluation of PMS that is coherent with the specific context of their use in SMEs.

This study validates a novel and demonstrably useful artefactual perspective to characterize and theorise PMS as objects of empirical research.

The early literature on specific networks of non‐executive directors has shown that directors are both information sources and have specific competences. The focus of this paper is to study the specialization of directors with multiple mandates. Is the information held by directors specific in terms of geographical areas or industrial sectors?

The Dafsalien database is used for the year 2003 on the 500 largest French groups. For each member of a sub‐group referred to as the “inner circle”, it was determined whether their mandates were held in French or foreign entities, and in which business sector.

Geographical specialization could not be validated, but industrial specialization is proven. Boards are made up of industry specialists and those groups benefit from a clear experience curve.

This paper brings a new approach to the analysis of directors' networks.

The paper questions the relevance of the quest for independent directors and the limitation of mandates. On one hand directors with multiple mandates do bring an added value to boards; on the other hand their presence is limited by law and regulation. Should regulation on corporate governance lay down unrealistic rules or combine with business reality?

THE following description of the fuel supply systems of the BMW 132K and 132N, “Bramo” Fafnir 323 P‐1 and BMW 801 air‐cooled radial engines is based on the following reports supplied by the Ministry of Aircraft Production.