Describes the key features that distinguish standards development organizations (SDOs) and analyzes these features in light of recent work in political economy. It is concluded that many of the features that lead to a slower process may be interpreted as an efficient institutional response to problems posed by industry standardization. (24…

Longitudinal data on 171 low-income home buyers and 101 low-income renters in Baltimore (Maryland) are used to compare community and social participation. Results indicate that home buyers were more likely to join neighborhood or block organizations but not necessarily to be more active social participants. (SLD)

Discusses approaches to relations with college/university alumni members of fraternities and sororities in the context of widely reported incidents of serious accidents, hazing, and alcohol abuse. Offers examples of ways to reach out to Greek alumni from Hamilton College (New York), Bowdoin College (Maine), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire),…

Discusses the organization La Francophonie, which is an international community of people who speak French and convene to address issues. Presents a crossword puzzle that introduces readers to some of the nations involved in La Francophonie. Provides the across and down clues, a word list, and answer key. (CMK)

Oxfam America is an international development and relief organization that is grappling with building a learning organization, creating constructive labor-management relations, and trying to position itself as one of the most effective, forward-looking nongovernmental organizations of the next century. (JOW)

Reports on a decline in fraternity membership, which is ascribed to changing demographics, bad publicity about alcohol abuse and hazing incidents, and changing student values. Graphs illustrate fraternity membership trends at six universities, including 10-year comparisons in membership, academic performance, and pledges; and average number of men…

A systematic, labor-intensive inventory of all local environmental groups in the Delmarva Peninsula and the state of North Carolina found 566 local groups, 7-20 times the number in published directories. Unexpectedly, high school student groups made up about 30 percent of the total. Groups' diverse objectives, primary activities, and alliances are…

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to measure Organizational Learning Capability (OLC) perception in the managers of public, private and multinational organizations and establish the link between OLC and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from a sample of 612 managers randomly drawn from Indian industry,…

The purpose of this article is to analyze, discuss, and assess some of the competing viewpoints and factors regarding the role of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) within civil society. By outlining the various actions that civil society organizations (CSOs) need to take in order to maximize the positive impacts and mitigate…

Describes the functions and activities of the International Bureau of Education in Geneva, which is devoted to promoting the flow of educational information between countries. (Author)

Reviews the history of the society--the leaders who shaped it, its important publications, major projects, scholarly activities, and relations with colleagues abroad--with the double purpose of demonstrating the society's contributions to bibliography in Russia and introducing the organization and some of its illustrious members to a Western…

This resource directory from the Chapter 1 Parent Involvement Center at RMC Research Corporation in Hampton, New Hampshire lists national, regional, and local organizations that can help parents, administrators, and teachers learn more about parent involvement in children's education. All of the listed organizations are focused on parent…

A study of approximately 80 Wisconsin vocational agriculture departments with and without Future Farmers of America superior chapter ratings was directed toward information on actual practices and teacher perceptions of the role of banquets and social functions. Superior-rated chapters were more skillful in goal attainment, meeting needs,…