Danish Ones Research Articles

First Names, Cognitive Ability and Social Status in Denmark

It is well established that general intelligence varies in the population and is causal for variation in later life outcomes, in particular for social status and education. We linked IQ-test scores from the Danish draft test (Børge Prien Prøven, BPP) to social status for a list of 265 relatively common names in Denmark (85% male). Intelligence at the level of first name was strongly related to social status, r = .64. Ten names in the dataset were non-western, Muslim names. These names averaged an IQ of 81 (range 76-87) compared with 98 for the western, mostly Danish ones. Nonwestern names were also lower in social status, with a mean SES score of 2.66 standard deviations below that of western names. Mediation analysis showed that 30% of this very large gap can be explained by the IQ gap. Reasons for this relatively low level of mediation are discussed.

Danska ríkisráðið og íslensk stjórnmál 1874–1915

Í greininni eru raktar deilur um setu Íslandsráðherra í ríkisráði Dana frá því að stjórnarskráin var sett árið 1874 og fram til 1915. Deilurnar varða túlkun á stöðulögunum frá 1870 og því hvort danska stjórnarskráin næði til Íslands að einhverju leyti. Ákvæði um ríkisráðssetu Íslandsráðherra voru sett í íslensku stjórnarskrána 1903 og stóðu deilur um breytingu á því ákvæði fram til 1915. Til að skilja þessar deilur þarf að greina orðræðu Íslendinga um ríkisráðið og hvaða hlutverki hún gegndi í sjálfstæðisbaráttunni. Meginrök Íslendinga voru þau að stöðulögin skilgreindu íslensk sérmál en að ríkisráðið væri dönsk stofnun sem starfaði í samræmi við dönsku stjórnarskrána. Það væri því andstætt íslensku sjálfsforræði að íslensk sérmál væru rædd og ákveðin í ríkisráðinu. Í sjálfstæðisbaráttunni var það meðal annars spurning hvort deilur um ríkisráðið ættu að standa í vegi fyrir samkomulagi við Dani eða ekki og hvort úrlausn málsins væri grundvallaratriði. Deilan varð því ekki aðeins milli Íslendinga og Dana heldur einnig stórmál á Íslandi.

Trade unions and the politics of occupational pensions in Denmark and Norway

Around 1990, trade unions in both Norway and Denmark moved away from their previous hostile stance, and started actively to promote occupational pensions. Over time, full coverage of occupational pensions was achieved in both countries, yet with different scopes, degrees of risk-sharing and modes of governance. Why did both countries go through similar institutional changes, and why were the outcomes still so different? The roads to full coverage were different: In Denmark, this was achieved through wage bargaining; in Norway, through mandating. Denmark developed far more collectivistic schemes than Norway, but recent developments indicate convergence: efforts are being made in Norway to develop encompassing schemes more similar to the Danish ones, while the Danish system appears to be moving in a more individual direction. In both countries, strong trade union branches have at critical junctures forged alliances with their employer counterparts at the expense of trade union solidarity. Both mandatory and negotiated schemes thus have the potential to be sources of solidarity as well as of self-interest within the union movement.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables among university students in Denmark

BackgroundThe existent duality between an intake of Fruits and Vegetables (F&V) lower than recommended, calls for effective interventions. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the factors influencing food choices. For instance, and due to an increasing level of migration, a recognition of F&V preferences among a segment of mobile populations is needed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if there is a difference between Danish vs non-Danish regarding fruit and vegetable habits. MethodsThe data was analysed from a cross-sectional observational study with 388 university students. The applied questionnaire with 8 questions focusses on habits regarding intake and preparation of F&V. A Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between each factor related to F&V consumption and nationality. A model adjusted by age and education stratified by gender was also run to check if the initial findings would remain the same. All analyses were run in SAS 9.4. ResultsThe respondents were mainly Danish 63.1% and females 58.5%. In the crude model, non-Danish were more likely to eat more fruits compared to Danes. However, models adjusted showed that this difference was related to Danish female students compared to non-Danish ones. Non-Danish females also eat more fruits in compotes. In regards to vegetables, both Danish males and females prefer to eat them in a soup or a hot meal compared to non-Danish male and female students respectively Danish males eat more vegetables a day than non-Danish ones. No differences were found in other variables studied. ConclusionsOur findings show that female non-Danish students had a healthier intake compared to Danish ones, eating more fruits a day and more fruits in compotes. On the other hand, male Danish students eat more vegetables a day than non-Danish counterparts do. The study provides information about consumers F&V habits, and the groups that should be targeted for interventions to increase the intake of F&V. It reinforces the need to consider different backgrounds of the target population when planning specific interventions.

Political Determinants of Competition in the Mobile Telecommunication Industry

We study how political factors shape competition in the mobile telecommunication sector. We show that the way a government designs the rules of the game has an impact on concentration, competition, and prices. Pro-competition regulation reduces prices, but does not hurt quality of services or investments. More democratic governments tend to design more competitive rules, while more politically connected operators are able to distort the rules in their favor, restricting competition. Government intervention has large redistributive effects: U.S. consumers would gain $65bn a year if U.S. mobile service prices were in line with German ones and $44bn if they were in line with Danish ones.

Organization and overall job satisfaction among publicly employed, salaried dentists in Sweden and Denmark

Background. In Sweden and Denmark, clinical dentistry is changing and public dentistry is in transition towards more market orientation. Dentists' overall job satisfaction is important for how public dentistry can fulfil the new expectations from patients, the public and politicians. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate what organizational factors were important for publicly employed salaried dentists' overall job satisfaction. Methods. A random sample of active, general dental practitioners (private and publicly employed) was selected in Denmark and in Sweden, and they received a postal questionnaire. The number of questionnaires was 1835 and the response rate was 68% (n = 1226). This study analysed only the publicly employed dentists. The sampling frame for the Swedish dentists was 431, response rate 68.9% (n = 297) and for the Danish ones 194, response rate 81.9% (n = 159). Multivariate regression was used with overall job satisfaction as a dependent variable. Results. Common organizational variables were important. The used model explained between 32% (Sweden) and 39% (Denmark) of the variance in overall job satisfaction. The only significant individual factor was less job satisfaction for Swedish dentists born outside Sweden. An organizational climate characterized by a focus on professional values was associated with job satisfaction in both countries. Among the Swedish dentists, number of colleagues and degree of influence were also important and among the Danish ones sufficient time for patients. Conclusions. Organizational factors had an impact on salaried publicly employed dentists' overall job satisfaction in both countries. The findings may have implications for other Human Service Organizations with employed professionals.

Some Reflections on the Requirements of Nationality and Domicile in the Danish Act on Registered Partnerships: An Example of a Danish Private International Law Provision in Family Matters

In 1989, Denmark became the first country in the World which established a registration scheme for same-sex couples providing most of the rights and duties granted to married couples, with a few exceptions. One of these differences between marriage and register partnership was that, in the case of the latter, at least one of the partners was required to be Danish citizen domiciled in Denmark. The main purposes behind these requirements were to prevent Denmark from becoming a gay heaven for couples from abroad and to avoid limping registrations. These requirements evolved and, in 1999, foreign couples were allowed to register as long as they both were domiciled in the country for at least two years before registering. Furthermore, nationality and domicile of some other countries have been considered on the same footing as the Danish ones: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. This complicated solution, which may be worded as a list system, is different from the general rules with regards to marriage and it no longer seems suitable for the purposes it was created for. The list system may be changed once same-sex marriage is approved in the coming months, although it is likely to remain for the purposes of recognition of foreign registered partnerships. It is, in any case, an example of a confusing approach by the Danish legislator, with a lack of tradition to legislate on private international law issues, in a sensitive matter.

Physical activity and play in kindergarten age children

PERISCOPE project assesses factors promoting or preventing obesity development in early age. A specific aim is to assess preschool children's physical activity habits in three different European countries. PERISCOPE has been implemented in 1094 children attending kindergartens in Denmark, Italy and Poland. The parents' and children's physical activity habits and attitudes assessed by a questionnaire filled by the parents. Overweight and obesity assessed by Cole's BMI cut-off points. Statistical analysis performed by χ(2) test and the test of proportion. Denmark shows the lowest rate (14.6 %) of overweight, followed by Poland (17.1%), while Italy shows the highest (21.2 %) (p < 0.0001). The Polish families show the highest rate of walking from home to kindergarten and back, followed by the Italians and, lastly, the Danish ones (p < 0.001). Almost all the Danish and Polish children, but only the 50.1 % of the Italians play outside (p < 0.001). During the weekdays, 34.9 % of Polish children, 22.2 % of Italians and 19.8 % of the Danish play outside more than one hour a day (p < 0.0001). During the weekend, 91.1 % of Polish children, 86.7 % of Danish children, but only 54.4 % of Italians play outside more than one hour (p < 0.0001). 53.5 % of Danish children, 31.9 % of Polish children, and 18.2 % of Italian ones practice sport (p < 0.0001). Danish children are the most active, the Polish are in the middle and the Italians are the least active. The difference in infrastructures (safety of walking streets, access to playgrounds/parks, etc.) can play an important role, in addition to cultural and social family characteristics, to the development of overweight.

Developing versus developed companies in Business Excellence initiatives

The paper reports the advance of Polish companies in Business Excellence initiatives. It indicates how these activities influence their performance. EFQM Excellence Model indicators are used as the evaluation criteria for the study. The performance variable is introduced to ensure the calculation of correlations between EFQM model indicators and performance results. The data are next estimated as a structural equation model by partial least squares using SmartPLS software (Ringle et al., 2005). That estimation is conducted on the model of the Danish Business Excellence Index methodology (Kristensen et al., 2001a). The correlations and estimation results are used to discuss the condition of Polish companies and to point out the efforts that should be made for further development. Information about actual financial results for the companies is introduced and the paper discusses the possibility of using results from the Business Excellence Model as a proxy for actual financial results in Poland. Data and results from a similar study done in Denmark are also described; thus, a comparison between developing Polish companies and developed Danish ones is included. Poland and Denmark are used as cases of, respectively, developing and developed European countries.

Systems In Organic Dairy Production

The aim of this study was to explore stakeholder perceptions of the contribution of an Automatic Milking System (AMS) to sustainable development of organic dairy production in Denmark and the Netherlands. In addition, reasons for the current difference in AMS use on organic dairy farms between both countries were explored. To answer above mentioned aims, farmers and advisors in both countries were interviewed using a focus group approach. Questions of the interviews were based on a literature review on sustainability issues affected by introduction of AMS. Participants expressed no moral problems regarding AMS use. They, however, pointed out uncertainty about the economic gain, difficulties with grazing, adaptation problems to technology, and image problems towards consumers. The latter results from a reduction in grazing time affecting both animal welfare and product quality. The participants did not recognize eutrophication, as result of high stocking density on farmstead lots, as a problem caused by AMS. The milk quality problem related to AMS use, although acknowledged as crucial towards consumers, was not prioritized very highly, especially not by the farmers in both countries. All groups were, however, unanimous in their perception of how important image was as far as the consumers are concerned. The perception analysis revealed that Dutch participants were more concerned about the economic payoff of AMS use, and showed more reluctance towards enlargement than Danish ones. In addition, they acknowledged the small-scale naturalness of organic production. These differences in perception could possibly explain observed differences in AMS use in organic dairy production between Denmark and the Netherlands.

Prefectoral Systems and Central?Local Government Relations in Scandinavia

As prefectoral systems are generally regarded to be systems that underpin and serve as the basis for centralization, this article examines how they have developed and how they work, and why they are still considered necessary in decentralized Scandinavia. The article finds that the prefect's authority towards the municipalities varies in Scandinavia. The Norwegian and Swedish prefectures hold rather powerful roles, while the Danish ones do not. The article suggests that this may have something to do with the need for an institution that brings about cohesion and coordination. Prefectoral systems are basically pragmatic solutions to the problem of enforcing national standards and common values across regions and municipalities, but their role may vary with institutional conditions created by local government reforms. The article further suggests that the authority of the prefecture varies with the character of central-local relations, and that it is vulnerable to changes in dominant political goals and values.

The innovative behaviour of tourism firms—Comparative studies of Denmark and Spain

Tourism firms operate in a competitive sector where innovating is often a condition for survival. This article presents a theoretical framework for understanding tourist firms’ innovative behaviour and innovation systems in tourism. The innovativeness of tourism firms and its determinants are investigated by analysing quantitative as well as qualitative data comparing Spain and Denmark. A taxonomy of tourism firms is suggested and the firms’ characteristics which influence their innovativeness are presented. Additionally, the role of innovation networks is discussed, as is the role of innovation systems. The article suggests that large size, professionalism, but also entrepreneurship among small tourism firms are important determinants of innovation. Varied innovation networks are another determinant as are supportive innovation systems. These determinants favour Spanish firms, which are more innovative than Danish ones. In the final section, policy recommendations are presented.

The semantics of Scandinavian ‘when’-clauses

The system of temporal connectives in Scandinavian exhibits an interesting variation in that Danish, like e.g. German, is a two-‘when’ language, i.e. it has two temporal connectives that have divided between them the semantic area covered in English by the single connective when. One of the two Danish connectives (da) is restricted to past episodic clauses, while the other one (når) may be used in past and present habitual clauses and in future clauses. Swedish, on the other hand, like e.g. English, is a one-‘when’ language: it has only one temporal connective corresponding to the two Danish ones, whereas Norwegian presents an intermediate situation, possibly a stage in the development from a two-‘when’ to a one-‘when’ system. This paper proposes a semantic analysis of the two ‘when’s in Danish: On the one hand, the semantics of da-clauses is similar to the semantics of definite DPs in that a da-clause presupposes that, in the current discourse situation, there is one and only one eventuality corresponding to the description it conveys. This makes it possible for a da-clause to have a reference-setting function with respect to its superordinate clause. On the other hand, når-clauses are similar to indefinite DPs in that they contribute propositions with an unbound eventuality argument, and therefore they yield descriptions of eventualities that never get referentially bound, but always occur in the scope of a non-existential quantifier. This restricts the use of når-clauses to habitual sentences and future sentences. This analysis involves the elaboration of a novel and more adequate formal semantic description of habitual sentences.

Estimating and Predicting International Tourism Demand in Sweden

In this study, we consider a dynamic demand model for international tourism. The model is used to estimate separate demand functions for hotel and cottage visitors from different countries, with a multivariate structural time series model. Among other things, the estimated models are used to simulate the effects on international tourism demand in Sweden of an increase in the value added tax on typical tourism products. The results reveal that the price sensitivity differs considerably between various visitor groups. The largest effect is found for Norwegian visitors, while there is no significant effect for Danish ones. The forecast accuracy of the demand model is also evaluated. The results indicate that a pure structural time series model performs as well as a model with explanatory variables.

A comparison of bird richness, abundance and trophic organization in forests of Ecuador and Denmark: are high-altitude Andean forests temperate or tropical?

The fact that certain climatic variables are similar in high-latitude temperate zones and at high-altitude sites in the tropics, has led to assumptions about ecologically equivalent situations. The altitudinal differences between two data sets obtained in forests in temperate Denmark at sea level and in tropical Ecuador at 3000–3350 m above sea level provided a comparison suitable for examining whether high-altitude Andean forests are temperate or tropical from the standpoint of avian richness, abundance and trophic organization. Sampling methods at the two locations were similar. The Ecuadorian high-altitude sites were found to be significantly more species-rich than Danish temperate sites at all spatial scales studied (from point census to 10 km2). Additionally, species–area curves from the two countries displayed positive correlations, as expected, but with different rates of increase. The high-altitude Andean curve demonstrated a higher rate of increase causing the two curves to separate widely as more area was added. This means that when increasing areas are considered, proportionately more species squeeze into the Ecuadorian high-altitude forest landscape than do into the temperate Danish forest landscape. Corresponding to the data on richness, bird abundance was significantly higher at the Ecuadorian sites than at the Danish ones. The analysis of rank–abundance plots from Denmark and Ecuador throws light on the organization of bird species and abundance. The majority of communities in both countries fitted both the log-series and the log-normal models, making statistical distinction impossible. However, a visual inspection of the rank-ordered abundance distributions demonstrated that the Danish communities, in contrast to the Ecuadorian ones, had dominant species with relatively higher abundance, had more species with intermediate abundance, and had fewer species ‘rare by abundance’. Some major food resources (especially fruit and nectar) exploited in high-altitude sites of Ecuador were not reliably available in temperate Denmark leading also to differences in the distribution of bird species within six major trophic categories. In conclusion, the ecological characteristics of birds of the high Andes apparently are similar to those of the tropical and tropical lower montane sites (increased richness and abundance, similar organization of richness and abundance, similar additional trophic categories, similar clutch sizes), and not to those of the high- and low-latitude temperate sites.

XXIX. The Ardrossan Shell-mound, with an account of its Excavation

In various parts of the world, notably along the Baltic coasts of the Danish islands, the eastern coasts of America, and near the shores of many of the Western Islands of Scotland, are found mounds of varied size composed for the most part of shells of the edible species of molluscs, such as limpets, periwinkles, cockles, and oysters. Interspersed with these are found the bones of many mammals and birds; also weapons and tools of flint, dolerite, horn, bone, and wood, including celts, scrapers, chisels, arrow-heads, slingstones, anchor stones, and other articles which had been made and used by a prehistoric race of men. In Denmark these mounds, which are called kjökken mödding, reach the dimensions of from 100 to 1000 feet in length and from 3 to 10 feet high. They have yielded many implements made of similar materials to those above mentioned; but no articles manufactured from any kind of metal have ever been found in them. From this circumstance these shell-mounds have been referred by archæologists to the neolithic division of the Stone age. The shell-mounds of the American coasts have a great resemblance to the Danish ones, also containing implements, bones, &c, and are supposed to have been formed by the aboriginal inhabitants previous to the occupation of America by the “white man.” The Scottish shell-mounds are, generally speaking, smaller than any of the others, but, like them, contain the bones of animals, and stone, horn and bone weapons and implements. In the Western Islands of This 250-word extract was created in the absence of an abstract