Abstract: The education sector is constantly faced with rapid
changes in technologies in terms of ensuring that the curriculum is up
to date and in terms of making sure that students are aware of these
technological changes. This challenge can be seen as the motivation
for this study, which is to examine the factors affecting computing
students’ awareness of the latest Information Technologies (ICTs).
The aim of this study is divided into two sub-objectives which are:
the selection of relevant theories and the design of a conceptual
model to support it as well as the empirical testing of the designed
model. The first objective is achieved by a review of existing
literature on technology adoption theories and models. The second
objective is achieved using a survey of computing students in the four
universities of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Data
collected from this survey is analyzed using Statistical package for
the Social Science (SPSS) using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and
Pearson correlations. The main hypothesis of this study is that there is
a relationship between the demographics and the prior conditions of
the computing students and their awareness of general ICT trends and
of Digital Switch Over (DSO) a new technology which involves the
change from analog to digital television broadcasting in order to
achieve improved spectrum efficiency. The prior conditions of the
computing students that were considered in this study are students’
perceived exposure to career guidance and students’ perceived
curriculum currency. The results of this study confirm that gender,
ethnicity, and high school computing course affect students’
perceived curriculum currency while high school location affects
students’ awareness of DSO. The results of this study also confirm
that there is a relationship between students prior conditions and their
awareness of general ICT trends and DSO in particular.
Abstract: Analytical techniques for measuring and planning
railway capacity expansion activities have been considered in this
article. A preliminary mathematical framework involving track
duplication and section sub divisions is proposed for this task. In
railways, these features have a great effect on network performance
and for this reason they have been considered. Additional motivations
have also arisen from the limitations of prior models that have not
included them.
Abstract: In recent years, the power system has been changed
and a flexible power pricing system such as demand response has been
sought in Japan. The demand response system works simply in the
household sector and the owner as the decision-maker, can benefit
from power saving. On the other hand, the execution of demand
response in the office building is more complex than in the household
because various people such as owners, building administrators and
occupants are involved in the decision-making process. While the
owners benefit from demand saving, the occupants are exposed to
restricted benefits of a demand-saved environment. One of the reasons
is that building systems are usually under centralized management and
each occupant cannot choose freely whether to participate in demand
response or not. In addition, it is unclear whether incentives give
occupants the motivation to participate. However, the recent
development of IT and building systems enables the personalized
control of the office environment where each occupant can control the
lighting level or temperature individually. Therefore, it can be possible
to have a system which each occupant can make a decision of whether
or not to participate in demand response in the office building. This study investigates personal responses to demand response
requests, under the condition where each occupant can adjust their
brightness individually in their workspace. Once workers participate
in the demand response, their desk-lights are automatically turned off.
The participation rates in the demand response events are compared
among four groups, which are divided by different motivation, the
presence, or absence of incentives and the method of participation. The
result shows that there are significant differences of participation rates
in demand response event between four groups. The method of
participation has a large effect on the participation rate. The “Opt-out”
groups where the occupants are automatically enrolled in a demand
response event if they do not express non-participation have the
highest participation rate in the four groups. Incentives also have an
effect on the participation rate. This study also reports on the impact of low illumination office
environment on the occupants, such as stress or fatigue. The
electrocardiogram and the questionnaire are used to investigate the
autonomic nervous activity and subjective fatigue symptoms of the
occupants. There is no big difference between dim workspace during
demand response event and bright workspace in autonomic nervous
activity and fatigue.
Abstract: Public participation in recycling domestic waste is still
very low in Malaysia. Only 10.5% of solid waste was recycled up to
now which is far below than of in developed countries. Therefore,
understanding public motivations towards recycling domestic waste
are important to improve current recycling rate. Thus, this study
attempts to identify what are the possible motivations and hindrances
for the public to recycle. Open-ended questions format were
administered to 484 people in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Two
specific questions we asked to explore their general determinants and
barriers in practicing recycling: “What motivates you to recycle?”
and “What are the barriers you encountered in doing recycling
activities?” Thematic was conducted on the open-ended questions in
which themes were created with the raw comments. It was found that
the underlying recycling motivations are (i) awareness’ towards the
environment; (ii) benefits to the society and individual; and (iii)
social influence. Non participations are influence by (i) attitudes; (ii)
commitment; (iii) facilities; (iv) knowledge; (v) inconvenience; and
(vi) enforcement.
Abstract: Health workforce is a fundamental component of
health system and plays a significant role in delivering effective
health care services. However, there is a crucial shortage of skilled
personnel which make them prone to work in stressful conditions. In
spite of excessively high workload and burnout among the staff, little
attention is given to their job satisfaction level which has serious
implications on the productivity and effective performance of staff to
achieve organizational goals. Therefore, this study aims to explore
the job satisfaction of midwives working in the labor ward of the
Lady Dufferin Hospital, Karachi. A cross-sectional survey was
conducted. The short version of Minnesota Job Satisfaction
Questionnaire was administered on a convenient sample group of 22
midwives to gather information on their job satisfaction. The results
demonstrated that midwives were overall satisfied with their job. The
level of job satisfaction was however found different in various
positions within midwifery cadre. The head of midwives was highly
satisfied as compared to midwifery staff who works under the
supervision of head. The level of satisfaction of team leaders fall
between the head and staff of midwifery. Similar trends were
observed for both intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction. Such
evidences on these issues are essential and useful as it helps explore
the attitudes of individuals towards work which has direct
implications on access to quality care services. Strategic interventions
are required at organizational level to provide motivators and
satisfiers to health workers for their work related satisfaction and
enhanced motivation.
Abstract: The level and type of student academic motivation are
the key factors in their development and determine the effectiveness
of their education. Improving motivation is very important with
regard to courses on middle school mathematics. This article examines the general position regarding the practice of
academic motivation. It also examines the particular features of
mathematical problem solving in a school setting.
Abstract: Unsatisfactory experiences due to an information shortage regarding the future pay-offs of actual choices, yield satisficing decision-making. This research will examine, for the first time in the literature, the motivation behind suboptimal decisions due to uncertainty by subjecting Adam Smith’s and Jeremy Bentham’s assumptions about the nature of the actions that lead to satisficing behavior, in order to clarify the theoretical background of a “consumption-based satisfactory time” concept. The contribution of this paper with respect to the existing literature is threefold: firstly, it is showed in this paper that Adam Smith’s uncertainty is related to the problem of the constancy of ideas and not related directly to beliefs. Secondly, possessions, as in Jeremy Bentham’s oeuvre, are assumed to be just as pleasing, as protecting and improving the actual or expected quality of life, so long as they reduce any displeasure due to the undesired outcomes of uncertainty. Finally, each consumption decision incurs its own satisfactory time period, owed to not feeling hungry, being healthy, not having transportation…etc. This reveals that the level of satisfaction is indeed a behavioral phenomenon where its value would depend on the simultaneous satisfaction derived from all activities.
Abstract: The research aims to study the association between
job satisfaction, motivation and the five factors of organizational
citizenship behavior (i.e. Altruism, Conscientiousness,
Sportsmanship, Courtesy and Civic virtue) among Public Sector
Employees in Pakistan. In this research Structure Equation Modeling
with confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the relationship
between two independent and five dependent variables. Data was
collected through questionnaire survey from 152 Public Servants
Working in Gujrat District-Pakistan in different capacities. Stratified
Random Sampling Technique was used to conduct this survey. The
results of the study indicate that five factors of OCB have positive
significant relation with both motivation and job satisfaction except
the relationship of Civic Virtue with Motivation. The research
findings implicate that factors other than motivation and job
satisfaction may also affect OCB. Likewise, all the five factors of
OCB may not be present in all populations. Thus, Managers must
concentrate on increasing motivation and job satisfaction to increase
OCB. Furthermore, the present research gives a direction to future
researchers to use more independent variables (e.g. Culture,
leadership, workplace environment, various job attitudes, types of
motivation, etc.) on different types of populations with larger sample
size in order to find the reasons behind insignificant relationship of
civic virtue with Motivation in the research in hand and to generalize
the tested model.
Abstract: Cyberspace has become a more viable arena for
budding artists to share musical acts through digital forms. The
increasing relevance of online communities has attracted scholars
from various fields demonstrating its influence on social capital. This
paper extends this understanding of social capital among Filipino
music artists belonging to the SoundCloud Philippines Facebook
Group.
The study makes use of various qualitative data obtained from
key-informant interviews and participant observation of online and
physical encounters, analyzed using the case study approach.
Soundcloud Philippines has over seven-hundred members and is
composed of Filipino singers, instrumentalists, composers, arrangers,
producers, multimedia artists and event managers. Group interactions
are a mix of online encounters based on Facebook and SoundCloud
and physical encounters through meet-ups and events. Benefits
reaped from the community are informational, technical,
instrumental, promotional, motivational and social support. Under the
guidance of online group administrators, collaborative activities such
as music productions, concerts and events transpire. Most conflicts
and problems arising are resolved peacefully. Social capital in
SoundCloud Philippines is mobilized through recognition, respect
and reciprocity.
Abstract: It is a well-established fact that terrorism is one of the foremost threats to present-day international security. The creation of tools or mechanisms for confronting it in an effective and efficient manner will only be possible by way of an objective assessment of the phenomenon. In order to achieve this, this paper has the following three main objectives: Firstly, setting out to find the reasons that have prevented the establishment of a universally accepted definition of terrorism, and consequently trying to outline the main features defining the face of the terrorist threat in order to discover the fundamental goals of what is now a serious blight on world society. Secondly, trying to explain the differences between a terrorist movement and a terrorist organisation, and the reasons for which a terrorist movement can be led to transform itself into an organisation. After analysing these motivations and the characteristics of a terrorist organisation, an example of the latter will be succinctly analysed to help the reader understand the ideas expressed. Lastly, discovering and exposing the factors that can lead to the appearance of terrorist tendencies, and discussing the most efficient and effective responses that can be given to this global security threat.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been a decline in physical
activity among adults. Motivation has been shown to be a crucial
factor in maintaining physical activity. The purpose of this study was
to whether PA motives measured by the Physical Activity and
Leisure Motivation Scale PALMS predicted the actual amount of PA
at a later time to provide evidence for the construct validity of the
PALMS. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive research design
was employed. The Demographic Form, PALMS, and International
Physical Activity Questionnaire Short form (IPAQ-S) questionnaires
were used to assess motives and amount for physical activity in
adults on two occasions. A sample of 489 male undergraduate
students aged 18 to 25 years (mean ±SD; 22.30±8.13 years) took part
in the study. Participants were divided into three types of activities,
namely exercise, racquet sport, and team sports and female
participants only took part in one type of activity, namely team
sports. After 14 weeks, all 489 undergraduate students who had filled
in the initial questionnaire (Occasion 1) received the questionnaire
via email (Occasion 2). Of the 489 students, 378 males emailed back
the completed questionnaire. The results showed that not only were
pertinent sub-scales of PALMS positively related to amount of
physical activity, but separate regression analyses showed the
positive predictive effect of PALMS motives for amount of physical
activity for each type of physical activity among participants. This
study supported the construct validity of the PALMS by showing that
the motives measured by PALMS did predict amount of PA. This
information can be obtained to match people with specific sport or
activity which in turn could potentially promote longer adherence to
the specific activity.
Abstract: Academicians at the Arab Open University have
always voiced their concern about the efficacy of the blended
learning process. Based on 75% independent study and 25% face-toface
tutorial, it poses the challenge of the predisposition to
adjustment. Being used to the psychology of traditional educational
systems, AOU students cannot be easily weaned from being spoonfed.
Hence they lack the motivation to plunge into self-study. For
better involvement of AOU students into the learning practices, it is
imperative to diagnose the factors that impede or increase their
motivation. This is conducted through an empirical study grounded
upon observations and tested hypothesis and aimed at monitoring and
optimizing the students’ learning outcome. Recommendations of the
research will follow the findings.
Abstract: This paper participates in giving new vision and
explains the learning and acquisition processes of English language
by analyzing a certain context. Five important factors in English
language acquisition and learning are discussed and suitable solutions
are provided. The factors are compared with the learners' linguistic
background at Bisha College of Technology BCT attempting to link
the issues faced by students and the research done on similar
situations. These factors are phonology, age of acquisition,
motivation, psychology and courses of English. These factors are
very important; because they interfere and affect specific learning
processes at BCT context and general English learning situations.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to present the process of
change in management accounting in Romania, a former communist
country from Eastern Europe. In order to explain this process, we used
the contingency and institutional theories. We focused on the
following directions: the presentation of the scientific context and
motivation of this research and the case study. We presented the state
of the art in the process of change in the management accounting from
the international and national perspective. We also described the
evolution of management accounting in Romania in the context of
economic and political changes. An important moment was the fall of
communism in 1989. This represents a starting point for a new
economic environment and for new management accounting.
Accordingly, we developed a case study which presented this
evolution. The conclusion of our research was that the changes in the
management accounting system of the company analysed occurred in
the same time with the institutionalisation of some elements (e.g.
degree of competition, training and competencies in management
accounting). The management accounting system was modelled by the
contingencies specific to this company (e.g. environment, industry,
strategy).
Abstract: This article is to introduce the meaning and form of
social quality moving process as indicated by members of two suburb
communities with different social and cultural contexts. The form of
social quality moving process is very significant for the community
and social development, because it will make the people living
together with sustainable happiness.
This is a qualitative study involving 30 key-informants from two
suburb communities. Data were collected though key-informant
interviews, and analyzed using logical content description and
descriptive statistics.
This research found that on the social quality component, the
people in both communities stressed the procedure for social qualitymaking.
This includes the generousness, sharing and assisting among
people in the communities. These practices helped making people to
live together with sustainable happiness. Living as a family or appear
to be a family is the major social characteristic of these two
communities.
This research also found that form of social quality’s moving
process of both communities stress relation of human and nature;
“nature overpower humans” paradigm and influence of religious
doctrine that emphasizes relations among humans. Both criteria make
the form of social’s moving process simple, adaptive to nature and
caring for opinion sharing and understanding among each other
before action. This form of social quality’s moving process is
composed of 4 steps; (1) awareness building, (2) motivation to
change, (3) participation from every party which is concerned (4)
self-reliance.
Abstract: Rapid growth of Information Technologies (IT) has
had huge influence on enterprises, and it has contributed to its
promotion and increasingly extensive use in enterprises. Information
Technologies have to a large extent determined the processes taking
place in an enterprise; what is more, IT development has brought the
need to adopt a brand new approach to human resources management
in an enterprise. The use of IT in human resource management
(HRM) is of high importance due to the growing role of information
and information technologies. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the
use of information technologies in human resources management in
enterprises. These practices will be presented in the following areas:
recruitment and selection, development and training, employee
assessment, motivation, talent management, personnel service.
Results of conducted survey show diversity of solutions applied in
particular areas of human resource management. In the future, further
development in this area should be expected, as well as integration of
individual HRM areas, growing mobile-enabled HR processes and
their transfer into the cloud. Presented IT solutions applied in HRM
are highly innovative, which is of great significance due to their
possible implementation in other enterprises.
Abstract: Mass media campaigns against obesity are often
designed to impact large audiences. This usually means that their
audience is defined based on general demographic characteristics like
age, gender, occupation etc., not taking into account psychographics
like behavior, motivations, wants, etc. Using psychographics, as the
base for the audience segmentation, is a common practice in case of
successful campaigns, as it allows developing more relevant
messages. It also serves a purpose of identifying key segments, those
that generate the best return on investment. For a health campaign,
that would be segments that have the best chance of being converted
into healthy lifestyle at the lowest cost. This paper presents the
limitations of the demographic targeting, based on the findings from
the reception study of IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) antiobesity
TV commercials and proposes mothers as the first level of
segmentation, in the process of identifying the key segment for these
campaigns.
Abstract: With the flourishing development of online shopping,
an increasing number of customers see online shopping as an
entertaining experience. Because the online consumer has a double
identity as a shopper and an Internet user, online shopping should offer
hedonic values of shopping and Internet usage. The purpose of this
study is to investigate hedonic online shopping motivations from the
perspectives of traditional hedonic value and flow theory.
The study adopted a focus group interview method, including two
online and two offline interviews. Four focus groups of shoppers
consisted of online professionals, online college students, offline
professionals and offline college students. The results of the study
indicate that traditional hedonic values and dimensions of flow theory
exist in the online shopping environment. The study indicated that
online shoppers seem to appreciate being able to learn things and grow
to become competitive achievers online. Comparisons of online
hedonic motivations between groups are conducted. This study serves
as a basis for the future growth of Internet marketing.
Abstract: The paper presents a new method for efficient
innovation process management. Even though the innovation
management methods, tools and knowledge are well established and
documented in literature, most of the companies still do not manage it
efficiently. Especially in SMEs the front end of innovation - problem
identification, idea creation and selection - is often not optimally
performed. Our eMIPS methodology represents a sort of "umbrella
methodology" - a well-defined set of procedures, which can be
dynamically adapted to the concrete case in a company. In daily
practice, various methods (e.g. for problem identification and idea
creation) can be applied, depending on the company's needs. It is
based on the proactive involvement of the company's employees
supported by the appropriate methodology and external experts. The
presented phases are performed via a mixture of face-to-face
activities (workshops) and online (eLearning) activities taking place
in eLearning Moodle environment and using other e-communication
channels. One part of the outcomes is an identified set of
opportunities and concrete solutions ready for implementation. The
other also very important result is connected to innovation
competences for the participating employees related with concrete
tools and methods for idea management. In addition, the employees
get a strong experience for dynamic, efficient and solution oriented
managing of the invention process. The eMIPS also represents a way
of establishing or improving the innovation culture in the
organization. The first results in a pilot company showed excellent
results regarding the motivation of participants and also as to the
results achieved.
Abstract: This study examined how individuals in their
respective teams contributed to innovation performance besides
defining the term of innovation in their own respective views. This
study also identified factors that motivated University staff to
contribute to the innovation products. In addition, it examined
whether there is a significant relationship between professional
training level and the length of service among university staff
towards innovation and to what extent do the two variables
contributed towards innovative products. The significance of this
study is that it revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the
university staff when contributing to innovation performance.
Stratified-random sampling was employed to determine the samples
representing the population of lecturers in the study, involving 123
lecturers in one of the local universities in Malaysia. The method
employed to analyze the data is through categorizing into themes for
the open-ended questions besides using descriptive and inferential
statistics for the quantitative data. This study revealed that two types
of definition for the term “innovation” exist among the university
staff, namely, creation of new product or new approach to do things
as well as value-added creative way to upgrade or improve existing
process and service to be more efficient. This study found that the
most prominent factor that propels them towards innovation is to
improve the product in order to benefit users, followed by selfsatisfaction
and recognition. This implies that the staff in the
organization viewed the creation of innovative products as a process
of growth to fulfill the needs of others and also to realize their
personal potential. This study also found that there was only a
significant relationship between the professional training level and
the length of service of 4 - 6 years among the university staff. The
rest of the groups based on the length of service showed that there
was no significant relationship with the professional training level
towards innovation. Moreover, results of the study on directional
measures depicted that the relationship for the length of service of 4-
6 years with professional training level among the university staff is
quite weak. This implies that good organization management lies on
the shoulders of the key leaders who enlighten the path to be
followed by the staff.