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Recent developments in global commerce have witnessed the advent of the virtual enterprise#. Groups of companies are forming short‐term relationships to collaborate on one‐off projects. Typically these enterprises form a consortium to bid for a project for which they do not have the capability of winning as individual concerns. In order that the virtual enterprise operates effectively the systems which underpin the separate enterprises must be capable of interoperation#. One means of achieving this is by the adoption of suitable international approved standards. Addresses this issue by considering the requirements placed on standards activities for the support of virtual enterprises. Then proposes a means by which current standards can be classified and scoped within an overall framework. Considers the various approaches taken within these standards activities and proposes some strategies for future development.

R. J. P. Nicklin & Co. Ltd. the Sheffield‐based corrosion engineering and inspection organisation, has appointed Mr. William Dickson as manager to head its recently opened Rotterdam office. He joined R. J. P. Nicklin four years ago and has wide experience of surface preparation and protection, particularly in the marine and shipbuilding industries.

In preparing this report, the compliance sub‐group has set out to (a) summarise the current compliance regime as a matter of law and practice, (b) identify particular problem areas within that regime concerning public sector officials (PSOs), and (c) suggest recommendations for change. The result may be seen as providing features of a ‘model’ compliance structure designed to cause difficulties for corrupt PSOs seeking to launder the proceeds of their corruption; UK law and practice has formed the springboard for the model, but it should be stressed that in order to be of any utility any suggested changes would have to be adopted (effectively) universally throughout the financial world. Piecemeal adoption by one or a few states would merely be likely to drive the tainted monies elsewhere, and would not serve the desired purpose of reducing the extent/profitability of corruption.

Review of various models of the fear communication process and research on the effectiveness of fear appeals indicates that fear arousal is a complex, individually unique emotion. Inconsistent results concerning the impact of fear appeals in consumer behavior are noted. Issues arising from employing fear appeals in advertising are outlined and practical guidelines for their use are presented.

Mr M. F. Kooistra (54) is now president of FATIPEC for 1979–80. Currently chairman of the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Verftechniek—NVVT, Ir. Mart F. Kooistra took his degree as a chemical engineer in 1950 at Delft Technical University. In the same year he joined Sikkens Paint Company at Sassenheim, Holland, and has been connected with coatings research ever since.

One of the fundamental human requirements is a working environment that allows people to perform their work optimally under comfortable conditions. Given that buildings and air conditioning systems are designed on the basis of a certain level of discomfort, this raises the key question ‘What is the effect of the level of comfort on the productivity of people working in office environments?’ The purpose of this paper is to quantify this relationship as an aid to making choices regarding the working environment at strategic level within the facilities management process, with particular emphasis on thermal conditions.

This case study presents and evaluates the effectiveness of a psychological intervention based on a narrative therapeutic approach. Paul is a man with a mild learning disability who was referred for treatment for anxiety and anger. Following difficulties in engaging him in a cognitive behavioural intervention, a narrative approach was initiated. By placing Paul as an expert in his own life, the approach was intended to assist him to access his strengths and resources and encourage him to view himself as separate from the problem he labelled ‘Anger’. Quantitative data indicated that there was a reduction in feelings of anxiety and increased feelings of well‐being. Subjectively, Paul reported making steps towards achieving five therapeutic goals, including feeling more in control of ‘Anger’. It was concluded that, with modifications to standard techniques, a narrative therapeutic approach offers a promising alternative to CBT for people with learning disabilities.

John Paul II’s encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, written 20 years after Paul VI’s encyclical Populorum Progressio on development, reiterates principles of that letter and addresses the need to go beyond a purely economic concept of development to promote authentic human development for persons and society. Continuing problems on the world scene have led to questions about the adequacy of traditional economic development theories/strategies and policies of international organizations, if the goal is to improve the condition of humanity and not only achieve certain macroeconomic standards of growth. The peoples of developing countries experience obstacles to human progress because of the structures and policies of their governments, and because of their dependence on decisions made by industrialized nations. John Paul II’s systemic approach to social concerns is effective in questioning the values underlying current policies and operations, and in presenting an alternative, more complete concept of development for the world to consider.