Despite decades of research from psychology, anthropology, biology and economics, how social preferences arise and vary across contexts remains an open question. In three empirical chapters, this... Show moreDespite decades of research from psychology, anthropology, biology and economics, how social preferences arise and vary across contexts remains an open question. In three empirical chapters, this dissertation addresses this gap using a variety of economic games and neuroimaging techniques that allow for a tractable modeling of cooperation and competition. Overall, findings suggest that while social preferences are linked to neural structure, they can also adapt to environmental factors as well as beliefs about interaction partners. This doctoral thesis shows that interacting with ingroup or outgroup members, taking decisions publicly or privately, and knowing whether we may interact with others again affect our cooperative behavior. These results highlight the importance of understanding how prosociality may be altered and lay the foundations for policy makers to further those social environments that encourage prosocial behavior. Show less
This PhD dissertation covers the dynamics of floodplain fisheries in the Waza Logone floodplain (Far North region, Cameroon) and conflicts between fishers. The main objective is to understand the... Show moreThis PhD dissertation covers the dynamics of floodplain fisheries in the Waza Logone floodplain (Far North region, Cameroon) and conflicts between fishers. The main objective is to understand the dynamics of the fisheries sector in the Waza Logone floodplain and specifically the level of fishing effort, diversity of fishing gear and conflicts between fishermen. It__s aims to (i) assess the current situation of the fishing effort and catches in the Waza Logone floodplain, (ii) evaluate the sustainability of fisheries practices, and (iii) provide a means to better understand the factors influencing conflicts and conflict resolution between fishers in the Waza Logone floodplain. Methodology consisted mainly of a rural appraisal technique and included an open workshop with 18 traditional and municipal authorities, leaders of international and national NGOs, an interview survey in 91 villages and a daily survey on fishermen, canoes and fishing materials, between August 2008 and June 2009 in 13 fishing spots. In addition, fishing channels along the Logomatya River, the Lorome Mazera River and around the Abana natural mares were counted, after which thirteen (13) of them were selected for a more detailed survey. It also included an institutional analysis on conflict management and fisheries policy in Cameroon and the Central and West African region. Show less
Much of the previous work investigating the impact of honor on conflict management has focused on how people endorsing honor values respond to possibly offensive interactions. Despite the... Show moreMuch of the previous work investigating the impact of honor on conflict management has focused on how people endorsing honor values respond to possibly offensive interactions. Despite the accumulation of this research, it is yet unclear why people endorsing the ideal of honor respond more fiercely after being offended. Moreover, hardly any systematic attempts have been undertaken to identify ways in which these negative ramifications of offensive encounters can be prevented or reduced. The discoveries made in the context of this dissertation paint a more balanced picture of the effect of honor concern on conflict management and inform us on possible avenues of effective conflict intervention. Show less
This study examines a strategic partnership in the areas of peace and security between the EU and Africa. The EU has been strengthening its institutional ties with African organisations since 2000,... Show moreThis study examines a strategic partnership in the areas of peace and security between the EU and Africa. The EU has been strengthening its institutional ties with African organisations since 2000, with security relations with Africa a priority on the EU’s agenda following the 9/11 attacks on the United States of America. The study shows the driving forces behind the establishment of the partnership, arguing that the EU’s economic interests have played a significant role in its development. In addition, new global threats and challenges, such as immigration issues, climate change, international terrorism, conflicts, and the emerging global actors in Africa have affected the EU’s current foreign and security policy towards Africa. Norms and ideas also contribute to the emergence of the notion of strategic security partnership, but to a lesser extent. Drawing on literature, the method of process-tracing, and p rimary, secondary and tertiary sources, this dissertation opens up previously unexplored aspects of security relations between the two continents. Against the historical background of colonialism and recent moves to continental confederation and globalism, it seeks to determine why the EU has consolidated its institutional relations with African organisations. Show less
To figure out how to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits, we need to understand all dimensions and types of diversity. Research shows that some diversity characteristics have a larger... Show moreTo figure out how to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits, we need to understand all dimensions and types of diversity. Research shows that some diversity characteristics have a larger impact than others (Tsui, Egan, & O’Reilly, 1992). One type of diversity that could have a significant impact on workgroup interaction is national diversity. Every member, however, enters the workgroup with a set of personal and social attitudes and beliefs. These pre-programmed attitudes and beliefs may largely affect one’s perceptions and thus behaviors. Whether diversity will have positive or negative consequences may be explained by investigating attitudes of the group members. For this reason, I investigate nationalistic attitudes as exacerbators of conflict in nationally diverse workgroups. A set of studies investigates propositions that members with diverse national backgrounds, especially if they have strong nationalistic attitudes, are likely to experience more conflict than nationally homogenous groups (and/or if members do not hold strong nationalistic views). Other moderators of conflict and outcomes in nationally diverse workgroups that I examine using multiple methods (field, scenario, and lab studies) include social distances, national stereotypes, similarity preferences, and perceived respect. Show less
The effects of team composition and conflict on team outcomes have been largely contradictory. In this dissertation, I strive to unravel these relationships through better incorporating two key... Show moreThe effects of team composition and conflict on team outcomes have been largely contradictory. In this dissertation, I strive to unravel these relationships through better incorporating two key factors when understanding relationships between team composition, conflict, and team outcomes - the role of individual differences in perceptions and behaviors and the role of power as a critical determinant of team compositions. Using a mixture of field and laboratory data, I show that understanding individual differences and team-level power structures may shed more light on the relationships between team composition, conflict, and team outcomes. Show less
This dissertation provides a balanced picture of the experiences that individuals can have in the combination of their work and family roles. Extending the common focus in previous literature on... Show moreThis dissertation provides a balanced picture of the experiences that individuals can have in the combination of their work and family roles. Extending the common focus in previous literature on experiences of role conflict (and their detrimental consequences), the present research also addresses the positive side of role combination and reveals the different ways in which work and family roles can facilitate each other (energy-based, time-based, behavioral, and psychological facilitation). This research shows that experiencing work-family facilitation has beneficial consequences for employees__ well-being at work and at home (e.g., higher work satisfaction, higher life satisfaction), contributes to employees__ mental and physical health (e.g., lower depressive complaints, lower cholesterol level, healthier body weight), and results in concrete gains for the organization as well (e.g., enhanced objective job performance, lower absenteeism). Furthermore, this research indicates that facilitation can be stimulated by means of informational (appraisal) support and by providing support for family issues in the work environment (a family supportive work environment) as well as support for work issues at home (a work supportive home environment). Thus, this dissertation provides a positive perspective on the combination of work and family roles, which hopefully also find its way to a non-academic audience. Show less
