Many working women have to face a serious conflict between the demands of their work and the demands of family life. Changing perceptions about the role of women are making this conflict even more complicated. Innovative work patterns are needed to alleviate this conflict. Originally published in 1986, this book, based on extensive original research, examines how working women manage the 'balancing act' between family and work. It considers their attitudes to work, to their families and to their managers and fellow workers and it explores the role of trade unions, employers and the state. By drawing on data gathered in different countries and in different 'styles' of working environment it contrasts differing responses to the same basic conflict.

Originally published in 1982. This book explores the nature of food marketing in Third World countries. Economic development invariably involves a transition from the traditional subsistence and/or barter economics to increasing participation in cash transactions. In many less developed countries this transition has been facilitated by enterprising middlemen, who provide the link between dispersed small satellite producers and urban buyers. In spite of these developments, producer-seller markets still operate in numerous countries, particularly the newly independent Pacific island states and large parts of Africa and Asia. This book examines the phenomenon of producer-seller markets, basing the study on the situation in New Guinea. The author then uses this data to construct theoretical propositions for the marketing of various food items and examines the producer-seller market, arguing that the lack of inter-regional economic interdependence is likely to promote secessional movements, particularly in states where two or more ethnic groups exist.

The merit of the Tolai case study lies in the fact that "the schema of economic growth of small underdeveloped societies," which it represented, "when abstracted from its specific background," appeared to be "logically likely to fit other similar societies in Melanesia and elsewhere." Epstein is especially sensitive to the role of cultural traditions, giving her work importance in the field of economic anthropology. She has taken a substantivist as against a purely formalist view of the processes of economic development.

Originally published in 1982. This book explores the nature of food marketing in Third World countries. Economic development invariably involves a transition from the traditional subsistence and/or barter economics to increasing participation in cash transactions. In many less developed countries this transition has been facilitated by enterprising middlemen, who provide the link between dispersed small satellite producers and urban buyers. In spite of these developments, producer-seller markets still operate in numerous countries, particularly the newly independent Pacific island states and large parts of Africa and Asia. This book examines the phenomenon of producer-seller markets, basing the study on the situation in New Guinea. The author then uses this data to construct theoretical propositions for the marketing of various food items and examines the producer-seller market, arguing that the lack of inter-regional economic interdependence is likely to promote secessional movements, particularly in states where two or more ethnic groups exist.

The merit of the Tolai case study lies in the fact that "the schema of economic growth of small underdeveloped societies," which it represented, "when abstracted from its specific background," appeared to be "logically likely to fit other similar societies in Melanesia and elsewhere." Epstein is especially sensitive to the role of cultural traditions, giving her work importance in the field of economic anthropology. She has taken a substantivist as against a purely formalist view of the processes of economic development.