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For decades, (going back to the 1950s) the negative attitudes students hold towards salespeople and sales careers have been of concern to university educators and to employers seeking to recruit well-trained sales people. While the increasing demand for university educated salespeople continues to grow, employers are struggling to meet that demand. This study reports the impact of a professional selling course on changes in student perceptions regarding (a) the desirability of a professional selling career, (b) the usefulness of a professional selling course for developing selling skill sets in entry-level salespeople, (c) the customer orientation of salespeople, and (d) societal perceptions of salespeople. Results show that both male and female college students perceived the selling profession and salespeople more positively after taking the sales course, and that these students had positive perceptions regarding the skill set gained through such courses.

Titanium dioxide was synthesized via hydrolysis of titanium (IV) isopropoxide using a sol–gel method, under neutral or basic conditions, and heated in the microwave-assisted solvothermal reactor and/or high-temperature furnace. The phase composition of the prepared samples was determined using the X-ray diffraction method. The specific surface area and pore volumes were determined through low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption studies. The photoactivity of the samples was tested through photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. The composition of the gas phase was analyzed using gas chromatography, and hydrogen, carbon oxide, and methane were identified. The influence of pH and heat treatment on the physicochemical properties of titania-based materials during photoreduction of carbon dioxide have been studied. It was found that the photocatalysts prepared in neutral environment were shown to result in a higher content of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane in the gas phase compared to photocatalysts obtained under basic conditions. The highest amounts of hydrogen were detected in the processes using photocatalysts heated in the microwave reactor, and double-heated photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the details of a student project used in introduction to marketing courses. The project is designed to involve students in the application of survey research to generate data used to make a series of marketing management decisions. Students collect data from three different segments of the car buying market and make product, promotion, and pricing decisions related to each of those segments. The authors propose a cross-geographical classroom project and invite instructors from other schools to involve their introductory marketing students in that project. (Contains 1 box.)

Approximately one-quarter of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year is absorbed by the global oceans, causing measurable declines in surface ocean pH, carbonate ion concentration ([C[O.sub.3.sup.2-]), [...]

This study explores student selection of service learning projects in lieu of traditional library research projects. One hundred fifty-four strategic management students completed surveys exploring their tolerance of ambiguity, time pressure, attitudes toward civic participation, self-efficacy toward service, political conservatism, and the role business school's should play in civic education. The study examined their responses to survey questions in light of their project selection. The study identified factors important for faculty in designing and developing service learning projects as well as key areas for future research. (Contains 2 tables.)

Today's administrators in higher education face a dynamic marketplace that offers students an array of educational options and alternatives. Much like organizations more traditionally associated with marketing strategies and tactics, colleges and universities are gradually moving towards and embracing the marketing concept and a focus on consumer orientation. The fundamental objective in this study was to develop and empirically test a multi-item scale called the Collegiate Student Orientation Scale (CSOS). The results of the study showed that the CSOS demonstrated adequate internal reliability. Implications of the results and administrative applications for the new scale are discussed. Finally, avenues for future research are presented. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Discussion of the effect of minimum competency tests for graduation notes both positive (such as greater access to the general curriculum) and negative (such as increased referrals to special education) to improve a school's overall scores. Continually changing special education procedures are seen, however, to have led to a decline in teachers entering special education and an increase in those leaving it. (DB)

Discusses a collaborative study between Mayo Clinic's departments of human resources and marketing to identify the factors that influence candidates' decisions to accept or decline job offers and the reasons behind staff resignations. Study aimed to increase the effectiveness of employee recruitment advertising, streamline its interviewing process, and improve the overall management of new employee recruitment. (Author/GCP)

Examines the patterns of individual adjustment changes in a sample of 99 early adolescents during an ecological transition from elementary school to middle school. Shows significant changes in adjustment as indicated by increased psychological distress or decreased academic achievement. Examines gender differences. Presents implications for research and practice in school psychology. (MKA)

On the tenth anniversary of the 1980 Motor Carder Act, the authors conducted a survey of trucking company CEOs regarding their reactions to trucking deregulation. One of the points made [...]

The trend toward greater uninformed response in marketing surveys and public polls have caused several problems in survey research. As a result, three design techniques have been created to increase response rates to survey questions. The techniques make use of monetary incentives, sponsorships and type of appeal, which are done by altering the wordings in some surveys to catch the respondents attention and therefore, increase their enthusiasm.