Abstract: This paper looks at transgender identities and the law in the context of marriage. It particularly focuses on the role of language and definition in classifying transgendered individuals into a legal category. Two lines of cases in transgender jurisprudence are examined. The former cases decided the definition of 'man' and 'woman' on the basis of biological criteria while the latter cases held that biological factors should not be the sole criterion for defining a man or a woman. Three categories were found to classify transgender people, namely male, female and "monstrous". Since transgender people challenge the core gender distinction that the law stresses, they are often regarded as problematic and monstrous which caused them to be subjected to severe legal consequences. This paper discusses these issues by analyzing and comparing different cases in transgender jurisprudence as well as examining how these issues play out in contemporary Hong Kong.
Abstract: The existence of many biological systems,
especially human societies, is based on cooperative behavior
[1, 2]. If natural selection favors selfish individuals, then what
mechanism is at work that we see so many cooperative
behaviors? One answer is the effect of network structure. On a
graph, cooperators can evolve by forming network bunches
[2, 3, 4]. In a research, Ohtsuki et al used the idea of iterated
prisoners- dilemma on a graph to model an evolutionary
game. They showed that the average number of neighbors
plays an important role in determining whether cooperation is
the ESS of the system or not [3]. In this paper, we are going to
study the dynamics of evolution of cooperation in a social
network. We show that during evolution, the ratio of
cooperators among individuals with fewer neighbors to
cooperators among other individuals is greater than unity. The
extent to which the fitness function depends on the payoff of
the game determines this ratio.
Abstract: Background, measuring an individual-s Health
Literacy is gaining attention, yet no appropriate instrument is available
in Taiwan. Measurement tools that were developed and used in
western countries may not be appropriate for use in Taiwan due to a
different language system. Purpose of this research was to develop a
Health Literacy measurement instrument specific for Taiwan adults.
Methods, several experts of clinic physicians; healthcare
administrators and scholars identified 125 common used health related
Chinese phrases from major medical knowledge sources that easy
accessible to the public. A five-point Likert scale is used to measure
the understanding level of the target population. Such measurement is
then used to compare with the correctness of their answers to a health
knowledge test for validation. Samples, samples under study were
purposefully taken from four groups of people in the northern
Pingtung, OPD patients, university students, community residents,
and casual visitors to the central park. A set of health knowledge index
with 10 questions is used to screen those false responses. A sample
size of 686 valid cases out of 776 was then included to construct this
scale. An independent t-test was used to examine each individual
phrase. The phrases with the highest significance are then identified
and retained to compose this scale. Result, a Taiwan Health Literacy
Scale (THLS) was finalized with 66 health-related phrases under nine
divisions. Cronbach-s alpha of each division is at a satisfactory level
of 89% and above. Conclusions, factors significantly differentiate the
levels of health literacy are education, female gender, age, family
members of stroke victims, experience with patient care, and
healthcare professionals in the initial application in this study..
Abstract: Scarcity of resources for biodiversity conservation gives rise to the need of strategic investment with priorities given to the cost of conservation. While the literature provides abundant methodological options for biodiversity conservation; estimating true cost of conservation remains abstract and simplistic, without recognising dynamic nature of the cost. Some recent works demonstrate the prominence of economic theory to inform biodiversity decisions, particularly on the costs and benefits of biodiversity however, the integration of the concept of true cost into biodiversity actions and planning are very slow to come by, and specially on a farm level. Conservation planning studies often use area as a proxy for costs neglecting different land values as well as protected areas. These literature consider only heterogeneous benefits while land costs are considered homogenous. Analysis with the assumption of cost homogeneity results in biased estimation; since not only it doesn’t address the true total cost of biodiversity actions and plans, but also it fails to screen out lands that are more (or less) expensive and/or difficult (or more suitable) for biodiversity conservation purposes, hindering validity and comparability of the results. Economies of scope” is one of the other most neglected aspects in conservation literature. The concept of economies of scope introduces the existence of cost complementarities within a multiple output production system and it suggests a lower cost during the concurrent production of multiple outputs by a given farm. If there are, indeed, economies of scope then simplistic representation of costs will tend to overestimate the true cost of conservation leading to suboptimal outcomes. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to provide first road review of the various theoretical ways in which economies of scope are likely to occur of how they might occur in conservation. Consequently, the paper addresses gaps that have to be filled in future analysis.
Abstract: This study attempts to clarify major perspectives of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Greek market related to companies that have sufficient CSR. An empirical analysis was undertaken, based on literature review and previous observations and surveys, in order to provide a general analysis of the CSR concept in Greece. The results of Accountability Rating institution were used in order to identify companies that adopt an integrated social responsibility approach. Companies that responded to the survey are both regional and international and belong to different industrial fields. Some of the main survey results reveal: multiple aspects for the CSR concept, weak consensus as regards the importance of stakeholders and benefits from the CSR implementation, the important role of CSR in the decision procedure and CSR practices concerning social issues that affect mostly company-s competitiveness. Sharing companies- experience could address common social issues through CSR best practices and develop new knowledge.
Abstract: The Malaysia Highway Authority (MHA) was
established by the Government in 1980 for the purpose of designing,
constructing and maintaining toll highways in Malaysia that include
the North-South Expressway and the Penang Bridge, which were
procured using the publicly-funded traditional procurement. However
following a recession in the mid 80-s, the operations of these tolledhighways
had been privatized to ensure that their operational services
continue through private financing as a result of long-term
concession agreement concurred between the Malaysian Government
and private operators. The change in the contract strategy for
highway projects in Malaysia would have a great tendency to dictate
a significant risk exposure towards the key parties involved,
particularly the Malaysian Government as project principal, unless
operational risks are clearly identified and managed via appropriate
mitigation measures prior to a contract signing.
This research identifies potential operational risks that have a
possibility to occur in highway projects in Malaysia from the
perspective of public sector clients. Since this research focuses on the
operational risks for highway projects in Malaysia, the initial results
acquired from literature review on the operational risks of highway
projects in some Asian countries are then justified by a number of
key individuals from the MHA through interviews. As a result,
among key operational risks that have possibility to occur in the
highway projects in Malaysia include initial toll-tariff decided by the
Government, traffic congestion, change of road network and overloaded
freight transportation, which could cause damage to the road
surface and hence affecting the operation of a particular highway.
Abstract: This paper explores the features of political economy in the dynamics of representative politics in India. Politics is seen as enhancing economic benefits through acquiring and maintenance of power in the realm of democratic set up. The system of representation is riddled with competitive populism. Emerging leaders and parties are forced to accommodate their ideologies in coping with competitive politics. Electoral politics and voting behaviour reflect series of influences mooted by the politicians. Voters are accustomed to expect benefits outs of state exchequer. The electoral competitors show a changing phase of investment and return policy. Every elector has to spend and realize his costs in his tenure. In the case of defeated electors, even the cost recovery is not possible directly; there are indirect means to recover their costs. The series of case studies show the method of party funding, campaign financing, electoral expenditure, and cost recovery. Regulations could not restrict the level of spending. Several cases of disproportionate accumulation of wealth by the politicians reveal that money played a major part in electoral process. The political economy of representative politics hitherto ignores how a politician spends and recovers his cost and multiples his wealth. To be sure, the acquiring and maintenance of power is to enhance the wealth of the electors.
Abstract: This paper examines the factors, which determine
R&D outsourcing behaviour at Japanese firms, from the viewpoints of
transaction cost and strategic management, since the latter half of the
1990s. This study uses empirical analysis, which involves the
application of large-sample data. The principal findings of this paper
are listed below. Firms that belong to a wider corporate group are more
active in executing R&D outsourcing activities. Diversification
strategies such as the expansion of product and sales markets have a
positive effect on the R&D outsourcing behaviour of firms. Moreover,
while quantitative R&D resources have positive influences on R&D
outsourcing, qualitative indices have no effect. These facts suggest
that R&D outsourcing behaviour of Japanese firms are consistent with
the two perspectives of transaction cost and strategic management.
Specifically, a conventional corporate group network plays an
important role in R&D outsourcing behaviour. Firms that execute
R&D outsourcing leverage 'old' networks to construct 'new' networks
and use both networks properly.
Abstract: The main purpose of this research was to study how to
communicate the identity of the Amphawa district, Samut Songkram
province for sustainable tourism. The qualitative data was collected
through studying related materials, exploring the area, in-depth
interviews with three groups of people: three directly responsible
officers who were key informants of the district, twenty foreign
tourists and five Thai tourist guides. A content analysis was used to
analyze the qualitative data. The two main findings of the study were
as follows:
1. The identity of the Amphawa District, Samut Songkram
province is the area controlled by Amphawa sub district (submunicipality).
The working unit which runs and looks after
Amphawa sub district administration is known as the Amphawa
mayor. This establishment was built to be a resort for normal
people and tourists visiting the Amphawa district near the
Maekong River consisting of rest accommodations. Along the
river there is a restaurant where food and drinks are served, rich
mangrove forests, a learning center, fireflies and cork trees. The
Amphawa district was built to honor and commemorate King
Rama II and is where the greatest number of fireflies and cork
trees can be seen in Thailand from May to October each year.
2. The communication of the identity of Amphawa District, Samut
Songkram Province which the researcher could find and design
to present in English materials can be summed up in 5 items: 1)
The history of the Amphawa District, Samut Songkram province
2) The history of King Rama II Memorial Park 3) The identity of
Amphawa Floating Market 4) The Learning center of
Ecosystem: Fireflies and Cork Trees 5) How to keep Amphawa
District, Samut Songkram Province for sustainable tourism.
Abstract: The study attempted to identify the dominant
intelligences of athletes by comparing the developmental differences
of multiple intelligences between athletes and non-athletes. The
weekly specialized training hours and years of specialized training
was examined to see how it can predict the dominant intelligence with
the age factor controlled. There were 355 participants in the research
(202 athletes and 153 non-athletes). Collected data were analyzed with
one-way MANOVA and multiple hierarchical regression. The results
suggested the dominant intelligences of athletes were Interpersonal
Intelligence, Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, and Intrapersonal
Intelligence. The weekly specialized training hours and years of
specialized training could effectively predict the Interpersonal
Intelligence, Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, and Intrapersonal
Intelligence of athletes. The author suggested the future studies could
focus on the theory construction of weekly specialized training and
years of specialized training. Also, the studies on using “Bridge
strategy" by the athletes to guide disadvantage intelligences with
dominant intelligences are highly valued.
Abstract: Research in e-Business has been growing
tremendously covering all related aspects such as adoption issues, e-
Business models, strategies, etc. This research aims to explore the
potential of adopting e-Business for a micro size business operating
from home called home-based businesses (HBBs). In Malaysia, the
HBB industry started many years ago and were mostly monopolized
by women or housewives managed as a part-time job to support their
family economy. Today, things have changed. The availability of the
Internet technology and the emergence of e-Business concept
promote the evolution of HBBs, which have been adopted as another
alternative as a professional career for women without neglecting
their family needs especially the children. Although this study is
confined to a limited sample size and within geographical biasness,
the findings show that it concurs with previous large scale studies. In
this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used and
data were gathered using triangulation methods via interview, direct
observation, document analysis and survey questionnaires. This paper
discusses the literature review, research methods and findings
pertaining to e-Business adoption factors that influence the HBBs in
Malaysia.
Abstract: Liveable city is referred to as the quality of life in an
area that contributes towards a safe, healthy and enjoyable place. This
paper discusses the role of the streets- activities in making Kuala
Lumpur a liveable city and the happiness level of the residents
towards the city-s street activities. The study was conducted using the
residents of Kuala Lumpur. A mixed method technique is used with
the quantitative data as a main data and supported by the qualitative
data. Data were collected using questionnaires, observation and also
an interview session with a sample of residents of Kuala Lumpur.
The sampling technique is based on multistage cluster data sampling.
The findings revealed that, there is still no significant relationship
between the length of stay of the resident in Kuala Lumpur with the
happiness level towards the street activities that occurred in the city.
Abstract: Transnational corporations (TNCs) are playing a major role in global R&D, not only through activities in their home countries but also increasingly abroad. However, the process of R&D offshoring is not yet discussed thoroughly. Based on in-depth case study on Agilent China Communications Operation, this paper presents a stage model for theorizing the R&D offshoring process. This stage model outlines 5 maturity levels of organization and the offshoring process: Subsidiary team, Mirror team, Independent team, Mirror sector and the Independent sector (from software engineering point of view, it is similar to the local team's capability level of maturity model). Moreover, the paper gives a detailed discussion on the relevant characteristics, as well as the ability/responsibility of transfer, priorities and the corresponding organization structure. It also gives the characteristics and key points of different level-s R&D offshoring implementation using actual team practice.
Abstract: This paper deals with econometric analysis of real
retail trade turnover. It is a part of an extensive scientific research
about modern trends in Croatian national economy. At the end of the
period of transition economy, Croatia confronts with challenges and
problems of high consumption society. In such environment as
crucial economic variables: real retail trade turnover, average
monthly real wages and household loans are chosen for consequence
analysis. For the purpose of complete procedure of multiple
econometric analysis data base adjustment has been provided.
Namely, it has been necessary to deflate original national statistics
data of retail trade turnover using consumer price indices, as well as
provide process of seasonally adjustment of its contemporary
behavior. In model establishment it has been necessary to involve the
overcoming procedure for the autocorrelation and colinearity
problems. Moreover, for case of time-series shift a specific
appropriate econometric instrument has been applied. It would be
emphasize that the whole methodology procedure is based on the real
Croatian national economy time-series.
Abstract: Ceramics comprise the largest proportion of Korea-s cultural heritage currently preserved (Cited from “The Beauty of Old Ceramics of Korea" written by Yoon Yong-iee). Thus, this researcher conducted this investigation in an attempt to gain insight into Korea-s past culture and the lost period of the colonial period and the Korean War by looking into the ceramics. Korea, China and Japan are part of the similar cultural bloc within the East Asian region. Their porcelains manifest distinctive characteristics by each nation along with similarities. Thus, this research seeks to find the distinctive characteristics of the Korean porcelain by conducting comparative analysis of the similarities and distinctive characteristics. These distinctive characteristics are manifested effectively in the colors of the porcelains following the materials that can be obtained in Korea, China and Japan and production method. Likewise, this research seeks to identify the characteristics of the Korean porcelains- colors based on the comparative analysis of the porcelain colors. The reasons that porcelains were selected were because they are the most well preserved cultural remains in Korea and since they have both similarities and distinctive characteristics due to the cultural interchanges among Korea, China and Japan, which facilitates comparative study. The research targets include Korea, China and Japan-s porcelains. By comparing the colors of the porcelains from Korea, China and Japan that have their distinctive characteristics, this research seeks to identify Korea-specific porcelain colors. These colors derive from the materials that can be obtained only in Korea, and they are affected by the ideologies that governed at the time. This research is meaningful in the sense that this identifies the colors that embraces the Korean culture and provides important data by leveraging the study of the characteristics of the Korea-specific porcelains.
Abstract: For professions of high risk industries, simulation training has always been thought in terms of high degree of fidelity regarding the real operational situation. Due to the recent progress, this way of training is changing, modifying the human-computer and software interactions: the interactions between trainees during simulation training session tend to become virtual, transforming the social-based embodiness (the way subjects integrate social skills for interpersonal relationship with co-workers). On the basis of the analysis of eight different profession trainings, a categorization of interactions has help to produce an analytical tool, the social interactions table. This tool may be very valuable to point out the changes of social interactions when the training sessions are skipping from a high fidelity simulator to a virtual simulator. In this case, it helps the designers of professional training to analyze and to assess the consequences of the potential lack the social-based embodiness.
Abstract: This paper is part of an ongoing research on the
development of systemic maintenance management model Malaysian
university buildings. In order to achieve this aim, there is a need to
develop a performance model against which services are measure.
Measuring performance is a significant part of maintenance
management service delivery. Maintenance organization needs to
know where they are in order to provide user-driven services and to
enhance productivity. The aim of this paper is to formulate a
template or model for university maintenance organization in
Malaysia. The model is based on literature review and survey
questionnaire and has been validated. Through grounded theory, this
paper developed a 8 points matrix for the university maintenance
organizations for measuring and improving their service delivery.
The potential of the model is guide and assists towards providing
value added service delivery through initiating maintenance
according to user value system rather than on the condition of the
building.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to find out the
effectiveness of neurological impress method and repeated reading
technique on reading fluency of children with learning disabilities.
Thirty primary four pupils in three public primary schools
participated in the study. There were two experimental groups and a
control. This research employed a 3 by 2 factorial matrix and the
participants were taught for one session. Two hypotheses were
formulated to guide the research. T-test was used to analyse the data
gathered, and data analysis revealed that pupils exposed to the two
treatment strategies had improvement in their reading fluency. It was
recommended that the two strategies used in the study can be used to
intervene in reading fluency problems in children with learning
disabilities.
Abstract: The performance results of the athletes competed in
the 1988-2008 Olympic Games were analyzed (n = 166). The data
were obtained from the IAAF official protocols. In the principal
component analysis, the first three principal components explained
70% of the total variance. In the 1st principal component (with
43.1% of total variance explained) the largest factor loadings were
for 100m (0.89), 400m (0.81), 110m hurdle run (0.76), and long jump
(–0.72). This factor can be interpreted as the 'sprinting performance'.
The loadings on the 2nd factor (15.3% of the total variance)
presented a counter-intuitive throwing-jumping combination: the
highest loadings were for throwing events (javelin throwing 0.76;
shot put 0.74; and discus throwing 0.73) and also for jumping events
(high jump 0.62; pole vaulting 0.58). On the 3rd factor (11.6% of
total variance), the largest loading was for 1500 m running (0.88); all
other loadings were below 0.4.
Abstract: This paper examines ethical and social issues which
have proved important when initiating and creating educational spaces within a virtual environment. It focuses on one project, identifying the key decisions made, the barriers to new practice
encountered and the impact these had on the project. It demonstrates
the importance of the 'backstage' ethical and social issues involved in
the creation of a virtual education community and offers conclusions,
and questions, which will inform future research and practice in this
area. These ethical issues are considered using Knobel-s framework
of front-end, in-process and back-end concerns, and include
establishing social practices for the islands, allocating access rights,
considering personal safety and supporting researchers appropriately
within this context.