Abstract: This research aimed to find out the determining
factors for ISO 14001 EMS implementation among SMEs in
Malaysia from the Resource based view. A cross-sectional approach
using survey was conducted. A research model been proposed which
comprises of ISO 14001 EMS implementation as the criterion
variable while physical capital resources (i.e. environmental
performance tracking and organizational infrastructures), human
capital resources (i.e. top management commitment and support,
training and education, employee empowerment and teamwork) and
organizational capital resources (i.e. recognition and reward,
organizational culture and organizational communication) as the
explanatory variables. The research findings show that only
environmental performance tracking, top management commitment
and support and organizational culture are found to be positively and
significantly associated with ISO 14001 EMS implementation. It is
expected that this research will shed new knowledge and provide a
base for future studies about the role played by firm-s internal
resources.
Abstract: A therapeutic success is the aim of any therapeutic
intervention, but a therapeutic failure is the other side of the same
coin. The purpose of this study is to present the activity of a personal
development group, composed of 14 participants (psychologists,
doctors and a priest) registered for a 2 days course of integrative
psychotherapy. The objectives of this study are centred on: the
management of the personal development group breaking moment
realized by the therapist/trainer; the analysis of the trainer’s personal
situation and of some group participants and the brief presentation of
the main work methods applied on participants in the repairing of the
therapeutic relation and in the counter transfer management. The
therapist’s orientation is an integrative one and the demarche realized
includes T.A. techniques, role play, Gestalt and family systemic
psychotherapy. The conclusions obtained represent landmarks for the
future activity within that group and strengthen the therapeutic
relation with the group.
Abstract: Argument over the use of particular method in interlanguage pragmatics has increased recently. Researchers argued the advantages and disadvantages of each method either natural or elicited. Findings of different studies indicated that the use of one method may not provide enough data to answer all its questions. The current study investigated the validity of using multimethod approach in interlanguage pragmatics to understand the development of requests in Arabic as a second language (Arabic L2). To this end, the study adopted two methods belong to two types of data sources: the institutional discourse (natural data), and the role play (elicited data). Participants were 117 learners of Arabic L2 at the university level, representing four levels (beginners, low-intermediate, highintermediate, and advanced). Results showed that using two or more methods in interlanguage pragmatics affect the size and nature of data.
Abstract: This paper demonstrates how the soft systems
methodology can be used to improve the delivery of a module in data warehousing for fourth year information technology students.
Graduates in information technology needs to have academic skills
but also needs to have good practical skills to meet the skills requirements of the information technology industry. In developing
and improving current data warehousing education modules one has to find a balance in meeting the expectations of various role players such as the students themselves, industry and academia. The soft
systems methodology, developed by Peter Checkland, provides a
methodology for facilitating problem understanding from different world views. In this paper it is demonstrated how the soft systems methodology can be used to plan the improvement of data
warehousing education for fourth year information technology students.
Abstract: During the last few decades in the academic field, the
debate has increased on the effects of social geography on the
opportunities of socioeconomic integration. On one hand, it has been
discussed how the contents of the urban structure and social
geography affect not only the way people interact, but also their
chances of social and economic integration. On the other hand, it has
also been discussed how the urban structure is also constrained and
transformed by the action of social actors. Without questioning the
powerful influence of structural factors, related to the logic of the
production system, labor markets, education and training, the
research has shown the role played by place of residence in shaping
individual outcomes such as unemployment. In the context of this
debate the importance of territory of residence with respect to the
problem of unemployment has been highlighted.
Although statistics of unemployment have already demonstrated
the unequal incidence of the phenomenon in social groups, the issue
of uneven territorial impact on the phenomenon at intra-urban level
remains relatively unknown.
The purpose of this article is to show and to interpret the spatial
patterns of unemployment in the city of Porto using GIS (Geographic
Information System - GIS) technology. Under this analysis the
overlap of the spatial patterns of unemployment with the spatial
distribution of social housing, allows the discussion of the
relationship that occurs between these patterns and the reasons that
might explain the relative immutability of socioeconomic problems in
some neighborhoods.
Abstract: The major purpose of this study is to use network and multimedia technologies to build a game-based learning system for junior high school students to apply in learning “World Geography" through the “role-playing" game approaches. This study first investigated the motivation and habits of junior high school students to use the Internet and online games, and then designed a game-based learning system according to situated and game-based learning theories. A teaching experiment was conducted to analyze the learning effectiveness of students on the game-based learning system and the major factors affecting their learning. A questionnaire survey was used to understand the students- attitudes towards game-based learning. The results showed that the game-based learning system can enhance students- learning, but the gender of students and their habits in using the Internet have no significant impact on learning. Game experience has a significant impact on students- learning, and the higher the experience value the better the effectiveness of their learning. The results of questionnaire survey also revealed that the system can increase students- motivation and interest in learning "World Geography".
Abstract: Information and communication technology (ICT) is
essential to the operation of business, and create many employment
opportunities. High volumes of students graduate in ICT however
students struggle to find job placement. A discrepancy exists between
graduate skills and industry skill requirements. To address the need
for ICT skills required, universities must create programs to meet the
demands of a changing ICT industry. This requires a partnership
between industry, universities and other stakeholders. This situation
may be viewed as a critical systems thinking problem situation as
there are various role players each with their own needs and
requirements. Jackson states a typical critical systems methods has a
pluralistic nature. This paper explores the applicability and suitability
of Maslow and Dooyeweerd to guide understanding and make
recommendations for change in ICT WIL, to foster an all-inclusive
understanding of the situation by stakeholders. The above methods
provide tools for understanding softer issues beyond the skills
required. The study findings suggest that besides skills requirements,
a deeper understanding and empowering students from being a
student to a professional need to be understood and addressed.
Abstract: The scenario of bypass transition is generally described
as follows: the low-frequency disturbances in the free-stream may
generate long stream-wise streaks in the boundary layer, which later
may trigger secondary instability, leading to rapid increase of
high-frequency disturbances. Then possibly turbulent spots emerge,
and through their merging, lead to fully developed turbulence. This
description, however, is insufficient in the sense that it does not
provide the inherent mechanism of transition that during the transition,
a large number of waves with different frequencies and wave numbers
appear almost simultaneously, producing sufficiently large Reynolds
stress, so the mean flow profile can change rapidly from laminar to
turbulent. In this paper, such a mechanism will be figured out from
analyzing DNS data of transition.