Reidar J. Mykletun

Positioning an island destination in the peripheral area of the Baltics: a flexible approach to market segmentation.

Abstract The market segmentation process is a critical component of positioning tourist destinations whereby marketers identify within an existing market distinct groups of visitors that best maximize value to the destination and assess their ability to serve and grow the targeted segment(s). Dividing a visitor market into homogenous groups is often based upon their geographic origins as well as a variety of social-demographic, psychographic and/or behavioral characteristics and often in the tourism literature there is a debate as to which strategy is the most appropriate. Drawing from a large database of visitors to an island destination in the Baltic Sea, this study employed a flexibility approach to identifying the destinations most valuable visitor segments as well as the destinations relative ability to satisfy each of them. Results of a series of multiple logistic regression functions revealed that country of residence (Denmark, Germany and Sweden) was the most salient factor to consider in discriminating between high versus low spenders, visitor reported measures of satisfaction, value and probability of repeat patronage. Moreover, in this data set, nationality was shown to be a consistently better predictor of the studys dependent measures than household income, education, age, travel party composition and travel purpose. Implications for marketers in mature destinations are discussed.

Work-related stress and musculoskeletal pain among female hospital staff

Abstract Musculoskeletal back pain and perceived psychosocial and organizational factors at work (POW factors) were studied in a sample of 586 female hospital staff. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by self-report. Three POW factors were identified by factor analyses of the Cooper stress check: institutional policy, work overload, and social relations, whereas factor analyses of a scale check: institutional policy, work overload, and social relations, whereas factor analyses of a scale designed for this particular study (the RJM scale) identified four additional POW factors: professional and social support, work content, responsibility, and work-home overflow. The main conclusions from this study are as follows: (1) POW factors are associated with musculoskeletal back pain. (2) These associations increase when psychosocial and organizational load occur in combination with ergonomic load and full-time employment. (3) POW factors tend to be more closely associated with neck pain than with low-back pain or ...

Leader-Member Exchange: Testing the Measurement Model and Testing a Structural Equation Model in the Context of Internal Marketing

Abstract Retaining employees is a major goal of internal marketing. Internal marketing is often performed through direct interpersonal communication. Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory informs how such communication and retention may take place. The Leader-Member Exchange measurement model and a proposed structural equation model are tested. The test produced two factors, consistent with extant LMX-7 and LMX-6 measure, that combined into a second order factor. The model suggests that employees that communicate frequently with their immediate supervisor develop high quality LMX and will successfully negotiate different, and better, role and employment parameters, than those who do not engage in such communication, thus having less of an intent to turn. Findings regarding member pay appear counterintuitive. Multiple tests of the structural equation model using both ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood approaches were successful.

Age discrimination in the workplace: validation of the Nordic Age Discrimination Scale (NADS).

Due to population ageing, older workers will make up a larger proportion of the workforce. However, recent reports show an increase in perceived age discrimination among older employees. Previous research found that age discrimination may result in negative feelings, such as uselessness, powerlessness and lower self-esteem. This study develops and validates a scale for monitoring age discrimination in the workplace. The validation study draws on three datasets, from Norway, Sweden and Finland respectively. The study provides a psychometric contribution to the study of the behavioral component of ageism.

A randomized trial of the capability of elderly lay persons to perform chest compression only CPR versus standard 30:2 CPR

AIM OF THE STUDY Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival after cardiac arrest, but there is a discrepancy between the age group normally attending CPR-classes and the age group most likely to witness a cardiac arrest. We wanted to study if elderly lay persons could perform 10min of CPR on a realistic manikin with continuous chest compressions (CCC) and conventional CPR (30:2). METHODS Volunteers were tested 5-7 months after CPR-classes. They were randomized to CCC or 30:2, and to receive feedback (FB) or not. Quality of CPR, age adjusted maximum heart rate (HRmax), and subjective exhaustion ratings were measured and evaluated in a blinded fashion. Temporal development and group differences were evaluated with ANOVA procedures. RESULTS All 64 volunteers were able to perform CPR for 10min and rated their efforts as mild to moderate in concordance with a mean HRmax of 78%. Quality of CPR was similar in all groups, except for chest compression rate that was slightly higher and had less variability in the FB group. Overall chest compression depth was 41+/-4.5mm. Analysis of temporal development of chest compression depth revealed a small initial decline before leveling off. As expected, CCC group had less pauses and higher total number of chests compressions. CONCLUSION Lay people in the age group 50-76 were able to perform CPR with acceptable quality for 10min and we found only very slight temporal quality deterioration. This makes training programs for the elderly meaningful to improve survival after cardiac arrest.

Celebration of Extreme Playfulness: Ekstremsportveko at Voss

Abstract This study aims to explore the central success factors behind the growth and prosperity of festivals. In line with resource dependency theory and the model of competitive strategies, it was assumed that successful festivals both adapt to, and influence, their contexts to their own advantage while also providing benefits for their environment. A capital framework was employed to examine the relationships between a successful festival and its context, employing a case study design and multiple methods. The case chosen was Extreme Sports Week, an annual extreme sports festival at Voss, Norway, which has become the largest extreme sports event worldwide during its 10 years of existence. It brings together sports and forms of cultural expression concentrating mainly on new trends in advanced sports activities and street culture music, combined with local food traditions. Factors in its success are the six “capitals” of the region: natural, human, social, cultural, physical, and financial. The festival balances the exploitation of these capitals, although indirectly with respect to natural capital, hence constituting an example of sustainability in festival management. Interestingly, the festival was successful in spite of very limited access to local financial capital. The analysis also revealed that a seventh capital construct – administrative capital – is relevant to the understanding of festival development. However, this form of capital was the only one where investments were perceived as problematic, and the festival repaid far more than the authorities had invested in the event.

Muscle pain and coping with working life in Norway: A review

Abstract This paper reviews ongoing research initiated by the Norwegian Research Council for Science and Humanities aimed at improving Health and Living Conditions (HEMIL). Attempts to classify muscle pain states are reviewed, and the pathophysiology and psychophysiology of the condition are evaluated. The psychological aspects are emphasized, in particular relationships to coping resources, coping strateges and to what extent the individual feels able to cope with the environment. Also reviewed are multidisciplinary approaches to treatment, aimed at both psychological and physical aspects. Interventions involving physical as well as psychological training seem to have the best effects. The contribution from physical load is moderate, except for static muscle work. There is a growing concern that the response from the welfare society may produce attitudes that are counterproductive for prevention and treatment. Do we over-react and impose disease concepts on regular complaints that may be a part of normal...

Neuroticism, extraversion, anxiety and type a behaviour as mediators of neck, shoulder and lower back pain in female hospital staff

Abstract Five hundred and eighty-six female hospital staff participated in a study on the associations between personality traits and musculoskeletal pain from the neck, shoulders and lower back. Personality traits were assessed by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), sub-scales Neuroticism (EPQ-N) and Extraversion (EPQ-E), the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Revised Jenkins Activity Scale (RJAS), sub-scales Achievement Striving (RJAS-A) and Irritability/Impatience (RJAS-I). Back pain was assessed by self-report. Statistical analyses were done for the whole sample of subjects and for eight sub-samples reflecting variations in occupational demand characteristics. Results showed moderate, though highly significant correlations between (1) EPQ-N, STAI, RJAS-A, RJAS-I and (2) back pain for the whole sample of subjects. There was a general trend for neck and shoulder pain to be more closely related to these personality traits than was lower back pain. For the whole sample of subjects the highest coefficient was computed for the correlation between EPQ-N and neck pain. However, the magnitude of correlations between the specific personality traits and back pain varied markedly between sub-samples of subjects. Our main conclusion from the present study is that neuroticism, trait anxiety and Type A behaviour mediate back pain, especially neck and shoulder pain, but that the mediating effects of the personality traits are influenced by occupational demand characteristics (emotional vs physical load).

Work Stress and Satisfaction of Comprehensive School Teachers: An Interview Study

Abstract Mykletun, R.J. 1985. Work Stress and Satisfaction in Comprehensive School Teachers: An Interview Study. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research 29, 57‐71. The levels of stress and satisfaction at work in 73 comprehensive school teachers were investigated by a structured interview. Satisfaction was positively related to the negative affects labeled anger, helplessness and failure, all rated on ten points rating scales, but negatively related to frequencies of experiencing relaxation difficulties after work. Stress and satisfaction were primarily attributed to social interaction at work, but also to control over the work process, adequacy of job demands, and perception of meaning and pride from work. Anger and helplessness were the dominant negative emotions. These emotions may impair classroom climate, and be counterproductive to teacher effectiveness.

Exploring the Success of the Gladmatfestival (The Stavanger Food Festival)

Abstract Food festivals play a minor role in the recent Norwegian surplus of festivals. As niche events they face less competition than the dominating field of music festivals, however their success cannot be taken for granted. The purpose of this study was to illuminate success factors of festivals by presenting a case study of the Gladmatfestival in Stavanger, Norway, which has been arranged annually since 1999 and has attracted positive attention and 250,000 visitors, and been financially successful. Data were collected by interviews, observation and document studies. It is concluded that the festival’s success depends mainly upon its embedment in a strong network of food and meal‐producing institutions and organizations, restaurants and outstanding chefs. The network depends upon a tradition of food production in the area, and from the outset local food produce has been at the heart of the Gladmatfestival. The scope of the festival has developed from regional to national and Nordic coverage, and it reaches out with activities and network development to the Nordic region and also internationally. While networking has been essential, careful research and entrepreneurial leadership placed within a simple and cheap organizational structure have been the second and third reasons for the success. Taken together, the leadership, networking and food‐oriented context have made sponsoring and donations available and up to 100 exhibitors have been willing to pay each year for their stands at the festival.