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Research shows that top‐down‐designed parenting programmes do not always meet the needs of postmigration parents. Bottom‐up programmes by migrant organizations hold a promise to fill this gap; however, research about these programmes and appropriate evaluation methodologies is scarce. Drawing upon Wenger's () "communities of practice," this paper explores an alternative perspective on parenting programme evaluation. Findings are presented from a study looking into social learning processes of postmigration parents who participated in a bottom‐up programme about raising teenagers in urban areas. Using an ethnographically inspired method combined with a preprogramme and postprogramme design, 115 Moroccan‐Dutch mothers and fathers from 15 programme groups participated. Results show that the programme provided a social learning space in which parents used themselves as resources to learn collectively about parenting. Moreover, parents consciously engaged in learning interactions across learning spaces stretched into their social networks. These analyses showed how parents' development of "learning citizenship" (Wenger,) provides us with insight in collective learning dimensions present in a bottom‐up parenting programme, which is often not included in evaluation studies. Implications for practitioners as facilitators of parents' collective learning are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts by European countries to disperse refugees across the country often implicitly presuppose permanent settlement in dispersal locations. Migrant (re)settlement theories, however, suggest that onward mobility after (social) housing allocation is a more likely outcome. This paper explores refugees' onward residential trajectories after dispersal in the Netherlands, including possible onward international mobility. We follow refugees who entered the municipal registers in 1998 and 1999 (N = 13,490) over a ten‐year period after taking up residence in the first private dwelling. We find that residential trajectories are related to the household situation and vary considerably across origin groups. In general, 'stable trajectories', with a continuation of the type of initial location after dispersal (rural, suburban or urban), are most common. About half of the refugees who stayed in the Netherlands did not leave the municipality of allocation during their a private housing trajectory. Yet, those who were allocated to rural municipalities have in the majority of the cases relocated over time. We find some evidence that social networks and transitions to home ownership are associated with rural to urban movement. Recent policy changes that allow for more participation in the housing allocation procedures of the refugees themselves may reduce resettlement needs and costs for refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnotheories of immigrant parents residing in the Netherlands are reshaped in response to the multiple and diverse educational practices they come in contact with after migration. Network analyses of "parenting relationships" of first generation Dutch‐Moroccan parents living in the Netherlands show that they borrow from diverse resources including professionals and nonprofessionals in their construction of new ethnotheories. Through media as well as through interacting with family in their country of origin, with same‐generation peers in the Netherlands, and with Dutch professionals and neighbors, these mothers develop "modern" notions of parenting such as stimulating child independence, while also using building blocks from traditional practices such as respect for the elderly. Individual variability is evident in parents' processes of adaptation, with some parents seeming stuck between these alternative and seemingly contradictory practices and ideas while others learn to use them to position themselves optimally in their multi‐ethnic environment. The paper argues that recognizing these parents as creative producers of their own solutions, and becoming conscious of their self‐made support networks and the resources they provide, can offer professionals and policy makers a new paradigm for the design of social services and support for immigrant parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents updates on issues and topics related to intellectual disability research as of December 1994. Information on the Women in Learning Disabilities network; Appointment of the Centre for Criminological Research by the British Home Office to conduct a research project concerning people with learning disabilities who are victims of crime; Agenda for the International Conference on Behavior Therapies and Applied Behavior Analysis with Children and Adolescents in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The purpose of this paper is to open the ‘black box’ of knowledge spillovers by testing the extent to which social interactions between firms in a region positively contribute to firm performance. Specifically, we examine the Marshall-Jacobs controversy, a debate over whether these spillovers occur across firms operating in similar or dissimilar fields. Our empirical examination of the debate relies on a dataset that is constructed from three sources: firm-level data of 1,881 high-tech firms in all 40 Dutch regions, regional economic data and network data constructed from the membership registrations of all business associations in a sample of 11 regions. The results show that the total amount of regional network activity has no effect on individual firm performance; however, participation in local business networks does support firm employment growth. With regards to the Marshall-Jacobs controversy, the results show that having local links to other high-tech firms is conducive to a firm's employment growth, while links to other types of firms provided no such lift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of polarized societal debates (e.g. abortion, racism, climate change), scholars often assume that individuals have clear‐cut positions, either in favour of or against the debated issue. However, recent work suggests that such debates can also be breeding grounds for felt ambivalence. Moving beyond previous work that mainly focused on ambivalence as internal cognitive conflict, we propose and test a social discrepancy hypothesis, which suggests that the discrepancies ambivalents perceive between and within their own opinion and the opinion of actors in their social network and society (e.g. friends, family, opinion‐based groups) positively explain their levels of felt ambivalence. In doing so, we quantitatively extend recent qualitative work by examining whether these social tensions are indeed felt within. To this end, we employed a multi‐survey research project (Ns = 184, 181, 187) in the context of different societal debates in the Netherlands. Supporting our hypothesis across different debates, results showed that ambivalents' perceived opinion differences in the social environment explained their felt ambivalence. This suggests that polarized societal debates offer social discrepancies that, for ambivalents at least, can facilitate an internalization of social tensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas the global networking of cities is commonly understood from a fiscal-economical and technological perspective explaining world economy and globalisation structures, this paper discusses another viewpoint of city networking in which the exchange of knowledge on urban management and policy-making is examined. It reviews the policy context and practice of Dutch cities in North-South city networking and their role in international development co-operation through the sharing of municipal knowledge and expertise with partner cities in developing countries. Against the background of shifts in development thinking leading to increased acknowledgement of the role of cities in development co-operation, past and current policies at the national as well as the municipal level are considered that shape the framework for Dutch city networking with the ‘global South’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examen the short‐term and long‐term responses of sexual assault victims who attended a sexual assault centre. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were held with twelve victims of sexual assault who received help from a sexual assault centre. Analyses were done in Atlas.ti. via a process of open, axial and selective coding. Results: Shortly after assault, the victims' response was to strike a balance between denial and acknowledgement that the violence was real and not their fault. In the ling term most victims experienced a dynamic recovery process with fluctuating responses. Their social support network played a crucial role in reaching out for professional care. Conclusion: Shortly after assault sexual violence victims need the violence to be acknowledged by skilful, empathic care providers. In the long term, victims experience vitims experience a dynamic recovery process with fluctuating responses in which continuity of care is of the utmost importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the use of diversity networks as diversity management instruments in organizations has increased tremendously. Diversity networks support the needs of employees with different social identities, such as women, ethnic minorities, LGBTs, disabled and young people. The aim of this study is to come to a better understanding of how diversity networks contribute to equality by examining how diversity network leaders discursively construct the value of their networks against the backdrop of discourses on diversity and equality. We conducted a multiple case study of five different diversity networks in a financial service organization in the Netherlands. Our results show that network leaders tend to construct the value of their networks primarily in terms of individual career development and community building, to prevent their members' isolation. However, they are much less articulate about removing the barriers to inclusion in the organization as a core value of their networks. We conclude that the value of diversity networks is limited when these networks only address the individual and group levels of equality and leave systemic inequalities at the organizational level unchallenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a methodological tendency in work on diaspora and digital media for quantitative investigations to approach diaspora in static ways that contrast with theories of diaspora as a dynamic cultural formation. On the other hand, qualitative, ethnographic work tends not to engage with digital methods and quantitative data‐driven investigation. In this article, we sketch this methodological and disciplinary disconnect and address it by proposing a model for understanding digitally mediated formations of diaspora that combines digital methods techniques with a sensitivity to ethical and theoretical discussions of migration and diaspora. Drawing on interpretive epistemologies and feminist research ethics, we present a case study analysis of a locally informed, Turkish–Dutch issue. We argue for a method that produces 'mattering maps'. This involves tracking and visualizing digital traces of an issue across web platforms (Google Search results, Facebook pages, and Instagram posts) and integrating this with an analysis of the face‐to‐face interview responses of a key issue actor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organisational and spatial embeddedness of innovator firms is often taken for granted. This paper develops a theoretical synthesis of regional science (milieu innovateur, systems of innovation) and organisation science (resource and activity-based perspective) accounting for the proximity effect (benefiting from localised ties). The resulting research models enable us to derive several hypotheses on factors influencing the organisational and spatial embeddedness of innovation networks. Results of OLS and logistic regression analyses, using an unique firm-level database of 689 manufacturing firms located in the Dutch region of Noord-Brabant, support most of the hypotheses. First, high levels of complexity of innovative activities induce organisational embeddedness. Second, spatial embeddedness of innovative ties with buyers/suppliers is influenced, in particular, by pre-existing economic ties of innovating firms and the need for frequent contacts. Findings are, however, sensitive because features of innovative activities differ depending on the position of the innovator firm (user or producer). Therefore, no general explanation of the proximity effect can be found. It turns out that the use of complementary theoretical perspectives is a fruitful way of researching the proximity effect empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of push-pull and social network theories on migration and criminological theory on human smuggling, this article tries to answer the questions of why and how Angolan asylum-seekers migrated to the Netherlands since the end of the 1990s. The study shows that the migrants can be described as opportunity seeking migrants, rather than survival migrants. Most migrants made no use of typical human smugglers during their travel. They rather used assistance from their social network and made use of the services of middlemen, called esquemas, on an ad-hoc basis. In this article it is argued that “archetypal” large smuggling organisations in Angola have not evolved because of the existence of these highly informal networks. Support is found that both push-pull and social network theories can contribute to explaining irregular, asylum migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the role of support networks in West African migration to the Netherlands. The authors examine the interactions of non-State support groups with West African newcomers and explore the nature, scope and function of support. What type of support networks do respondents rely on, under which circumstances, and for how long? What is the scope of support? Is it to be taken for granted? What alternatives are there for those left out of the loop? The findings suggest that support is mainly punctual, in response to a specific need, and for a limited period of time. It is not to be taken for granted, as support groups have limited capacities, and protect themselves from excessive demands. They play a significant role in providing assistance to migrants, yet this role should not be overestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key assumption in agglomeration theory is that knowledge-based firms benefit from knowledge spillovers in cities. Cities however may have different locations in the national context, such as embedded in a network of nearby cities or relatively isolated. We examine social networks employed by university spin-off firms in urban environments that contrast in such a way, namely, Delft (the Netherlands) and Trondheim (Norway). A set of growth models is explored with a focus on characteristics of social networks through which knowledge is acquired, such as tightness, strength and spatial orientation. The networks appear to differ in various respects, except for a positive influence on growth of heterogeneity in the social background of partners. The largest difference is observed in strength of relationships: an increase in strength tends to hamper growth in Delft, while it tends to enhance growth in Trondheim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Using a self-regulatory framework, this study aims to identify how couples perceive a partner's support style after myocardial infarction (MI), and whether this predicts the patient's health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and self-management (S-M) 9 months later. Method. This longitudinal dyadic study includes 73 couples (86% of patients were men), recruited from two cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the Netherlands. Mean age of patients was 54.8 (SD = 9:6) and of partners 52.5 (SD = 9:8). Participants were interviewed and completed questionnaires at baseline (T1). Repeat questionnaires were returned by 69 and 67 couples after 3 (T2) and 9 months (T3), respectively. Results. Support by partners is conceptualized in this study as 'active engagement' (AE), which involves the extent to which a partner engages the patient in conversations which focus on emotional support and problem solving. Levels of AE do not change over time, nor do they differ between members of the dyad. Levels of overprotection (OP) diminish with time, whilst patients consistently perceive more OP than partners report providing. Patients' experience of goal hindrance (at T3) due to the MI is associated with a decreased HR-QoL at T3 (controlling for baseline measures). The perception of having a supportive (AE) partner at T1 contributes to enhanced patient HR-QoL at each subsequent time point, although not to physical functioning. Perceiving a partner as overprotective (at T1) predicts worsened physical functioning in patients (at T3). Improvements in S-M at T3 (controlling for baseline measures) are reported by patients whose partner displays active engagement at T1. Conclusions. Cardiac rehabilitation should aim to redress the experience of goal disturbance and advise partners on how to provide support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As a sequel to a report by the Health Council of the Netherlands on contraception in persons with intellectual disabilities (IDs), a fierce debate about parenthood by such persons occurred, in which a lack of knowledge about parenting competences became clear. Therefore, the Ministry of Health commissioned a study investigating examples of ‘successful parenthood’ by persons with IDs. Methods In conformity with the literature and with legal categories, we defined ‘successful parenthood’ as ‘good enough parenthood’, meaning no indications for child abuse and/or neglect, no dealings with child protection agencies and no legal custody. We combined a nationwide quantitative questionnaire study with a qualitative interview study. Questionnaires were sent to all institutions involved in caring for persons with ID, interviews were held with ‘good enough’ parents and their professional caregivers, selected on the basis of returned questionnaires. Results Parenthood occurs in around 1.5% of persons with ID in the Netherlands and is mostly restricted to those with mild handicaps. In total, 51% of the cases were regarded, by caregivers, as not-good-enough parenthood, 33% were clearly good enough and 16% were doubtful. Predicting factors included the ability and the willingness to follow advice, the quality of the social network and the acceptance of parenting in the community. However, there is not one decisive predicting factor; particularly, the predictive value of the IQ alone is small. Conclusions A general policy of discouragement of parenthood, as advocated by the Dutch Ministry, is not supported by our results; moreover, it would probably be impossible and have negative effects on social acceptance of parents with ID. The overall conclusion from the study therefore is that some kind of balancing model, in which positive and negative factors are weighed, may be useful to predict success and need for support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageism has been the focus of numerous publications, while age segregation is a neglected topic. Ageism on a micro-individual level is linked to segregation on a macro level in a segregation-ageism cycle. Possible linking mechanisms, which might help break this cycle, can be found on a meso level of social networks—their structure and functions. Data from the United States and the Netherlands show that non-family networks are strongly age homogeneous. Based on earlier work by a range of scholars, we suggest that time, group identity, perspective-taking, and affective ties are factors that must be considered with regard to the functions of networks. Addressing meso level mechanisms poses challenges to social policy as well as research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonrecursive model with relationships between perceived lack of social support, perceived self-efficacy in eliciting support at the workplace, and the 3 successive burnout dimensions--emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment--was tested in a sample of 277 secondary-school teachers in The Netherlands. Results showed that teachers' perceived lack of support from colleagues and principals had a significant effect on their self-efficacy beliefs in eliciting support from them, while these self-efficacy beliefs were shown to predict their level of burnout. The hypothesized feedback loop was also confirmed: Teachers' level of burnout predicted the extent to which they feel lack of support. An additional effect of the personal-accomplishment dimension of burnout on perceived self-efficacy was suggested. It was concluded that perceived self-efficacy in eliciting support at the workplace is a usable construct in the prediction of teacher burnout. Future directions in research are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article elaborates on the question of how complex decision making can be analysed. Three conceptual models are compared: the phase model, the stream model and the rounds model. Each model is based on specific assumptions about what decision making is and how it should be analysed. The phase model focuses on successive and distinctive stages in a process, i.e. defining a problem, searching for, choosing and implementing solutions. The stream model emphasizes concurrent streams of participants, problems and solutions, defining decision making as the connection between these streams. The rounds model combines elements of the other two models, in assuming that several actors introduce combinations of problems and solutions, and create progress through interaction. Each model generates specific insights, as is shown from the example of the ‘Betuwe line’, a railway line intended for the transport of cargo, in the Netherlands. The phase model concentrates on decisions taken by a focal actor; the stream model focuses on the coincidental links between problems, solutions and actors; and the rounds model on the interaction between actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the youths' bonds with parents and friends in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, youth conform to contemporary trends among the older generation favoring economic conservatism, cultural progressiveness, and political tolerance. Although parent-adolescent relations do not appear to be inherently conflictual, few doubt that adolescence is a period of heightened tension between young persons and their parents. Presumably frictions between the generations subside when youth grow older and begin living on their own. Parents and friends also play an important role in the expanding social network of an adolescent. The existing literature in the Netherlands does not include empirical research measuring and comparing youths' bonds with their parents and close friends. In this article the author analyze youth-parent ties on the basis of data collected in the Netherlands from youth over a broad age range. The sample includes 1230 males, out of which three quarters of the respondents lived with both their parents.

The themes of the earlier article by Van Waarden are applied to the empirical examples of the USA & the Netherlands. State - industry policy networks are explained by nationally specific characteristics of the actors involved: organized societal interests and state agencies. Policy networks are seen as the product of different political, administrative and cultural institutions. Their historical emergence is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]