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Article
Publication date: 4 January 2023

Joan F. Marques, Satinder Dhiman, Svetlana Holt and Adam Wood

Strengthening awareness about the importance of mindfulness practices in business education and performance toward greater societal appreciation and compassion.

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Abstract

Purpose

Strengthening awareness about the importance of mindfulness practices in business education and performance toward greater societal appreciation and compassion.

Design/methodology/approach

General Review: A Synthesis of Literature and Practice

Findings

The need to include mindfulness practices is not merely a wave in today’s era, but a well-considered shift that has already proven its advantage to business entities and their leaders.

Practical implications

The examples shared in this article are aimed to ignite interest about ways we can move toward cultivating awareness in making business a practice that is not merely profitable, but also socially constructive.

Originality/value

Four mindfulness enhancing practices are shared for possible implementation

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2014

Damasen Ikwaba Paul and James Uhomoibhi

The purpose of this paper is to examine and discuss, in-depth, how solar electricity can be developed and used to tackle grid electricity-related problems in African countries…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and discuss, in-depth, how solar electricity can be developed and used to tackle grid electricity-related problems in African countries suffering from unreliable and inadequate grid electricity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses in depth the current status of grid electricity in Africa continent and suggested solar electricity as an alternative cost-effective method to the existing grid electricity problem in remote areas. An extensive analysis of the major contribution of solar electricity in various sectors such as economic, health, communication, social and environmental benefits is provided. The paper concludes with a discussion on how solar power generation can be developed.

Findings

The paper shows that in developed countries where ICT has been applied extensively, ICT offers increased opportunities for sustainable economic development and plays a critical role in rapid economic growth, productive capacity improvements, education, government, agriculture and international competitiveness enhancement. The paper has pointed out that ICT has yet to make significant impact in most African countries due to lack of reliable and adequate electricity. Solar electricity has been seen as the most cost-effective way of generating electricity, especially in remote rural areas, for ICT devices. For the widespread of solar power generation in Africa, various strategies have been identified which include training of qualified solar engineers and technicians, establishing PV markets and business modes, introduction of solar energy education in schools and universities, political leaders appreciating solar electricity as one of the major energy component, lowering initial cost of the PV technology, availability of finance mechanisms for rural communities, import tax exemption and African countries regarding rural electricity as one of the basic needs.

Practical implications

The paper shows that the problems of lack of qualified solar technicians and established PV markets and business modes (especially in remote areas), lack of solar energy education in schools have to be addressed before the benefits of ICT in Africa can be seen. Other issues include African countries appreciating solar electricity as one of the major energy component, lowering initial cost of the PV technology, availability of finance mechanisms for customers, import tax exemption and African countries regarding rural electricity as one of the basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. Overhaul of existing systems needs to take place in order to provide the means to deal with some of these issues.

Originality/value

Availability of reliable electrical energy remains crucial for development of ICT in rural African countries. Solar electricity is clearly one of the most promising prospects to the grid electricity problem in African countries because most African countries lie in the sunshine belt. The paper raises awareness about this in a unique way and suggests some novel measures about increasing the availability of solar systems for solar power generation. It is anticipated that the increases in solar power generation, especially in remote areas, will increase the use and application of ICT in various sectors.

Details

Campus-Wide Information Systems, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-0741

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Book part
Publication date: 19 February 2020

Cosma Orsi

From 1782 to 1834, the English social legislation shifted from a safety net devised to deal with emergencies to a social security system implemented to cope with the threat of…

Abstract

From 1782 to 1834, the English social legislation shifted from a safety net devised to deal with emergencies to a social security system implemented to cope with the threat of unemployment and poverty. In the attempt to explain this shift, this chapter concentrates on the changed attitudes toward poverty and power relationships in eighteenth-century British society. Especially, it looks at the role played by eighteenth-century British economic thinkers in elaborating arguments in favor of reducing the most evident asymmetries of power characterizing the period of transition from Mercantilism to the Classical era. To what extent did economic thinkers contribute to creating an environment within which a social legislation aimed at improving the living conditions of the poor as the one established in 1795 could be not only envisaged but also implemented? In doing so, this chapter deals with an aspect often undervalued and/or overlooked by historians of economic thought: namely, the relationship between economic theory and social legislation. If the latter is the institutional framework by which both individual and collective well-being can be achieved the former cannot but assume a fundamental role as a useful abstraction which sheds light on the multifaceted reality in which social policies are proposed, forged, and eventually implemented.

Details

Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology: Including a Symposium on Public Finance in the History of Economic Thought
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-699-5

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Article
Publication date: 7 August 2009

E. Emmanuel Baro and Biokuromoye Fyneman

Research is carried out in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to determine…

4021

Abstract

Purpose

Research is carried out in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to determine the undergraduate students' level of awareness of information sources available in the university, to know their level of digital literacy and to determine the different search strategies used by them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a descriptive survey method and covers the 350 undergraduate students of the four departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences: Economics, Sociology, Political Science, and Geography and Environmental Studies, from which a sample of 105 students is drawn. A questionnaire tagged “Information Literacy among Undergraduate Students of Social Sciences Questionnaire (ILUSSSQ)” is designed to collect data for the paper.

Findings

The paper reveals that male students in the faculty are more aware and use the information sources available in the university more than the female students. There is significant difference between gender and search strategies used by the undergraduate students in the social sciences. Male students are more digitally literate, they utilize the internet facilities provided in the university library, use different search engines and utilize the CD‐ROMs in the e‐library section more than the female students.

Originality/value

The paper will enable librarians to intensify their efforts to educate students on how and where to search and source for information, and how to evaluate information to meet their information needs.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

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Article
Publication date: 8 May 2007

T. Rexwhite Enakrire and O. George Onyenania

This paper aims to strengthen ways of improving the growth or development of information transfer in Africa.

1669

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to strengthen ways of improving the growth or development of information transfer in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive method was used in the simplification of possibilities in exploding actions to be taken to unrest the development or growth of information transfer in Africa.

Findings

The findings revealed that though there are some causes inhibiting the growth of dissemination or transfer of information in the African context but measures were preferred which include: (i) harnessing/provision of full potentials of information resources, technology and communication channel, and organised capacity locally and regionally, (ii) access and utilization of diversities of information, (iii) training and sensitization of human resources, (iv) information and IT policy/copyright formulation, and (v) cultural awareness of information transfer and implementation to economic development and nation building, etc., has the potentials to foster an amazing information transfer in Africa in our economic, social, religion, academic, moral, and environmental society. This is because information transfer within and outside our context can no longer be seen as a luxury for the elites but as an absolute necessity for the masses since it offers great potentials to improve the quality of life to very many persons around the world.

Originality/value

This research will assist Africans and beyond, to value information transfer as an asset and a means to an end in life and in decision‐making and planning.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2002

Kishor Thanawala

Although markets prevail throughout the world, there are significant differences in the economic, social, political as well as legal institutions in which these markets function…

6097

Abstract

Although markets prevail throughout the world, there are significant differences in the economic, social, political as well as legal institutions in which these markets function. Many of these variations can be attributed in part to differences in levels of economic development and in part to the differing consensus about the role of corporations and of governments in the various countries. The paper compares the models of private market economy and social market economy. An understanding of the rules underlying private market economy and those governing social market economy is important in the context of of the evoloving new global economic architecture.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 29 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

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Book part
Publication date: 21 November 2018

Audrey A. Gramling, Arnold Schneider and Lori Shefchik Bhaskar

This study’s purpose is to examine whether providing prior consulting services influences internal auditors’ subsequent assessments when providing assurance services to assist…

Abstract

This study’s purpose is to examine whether providing prior consulting services influences internal auditors’ subsequent assessments when providing assurance services to assist management in its assessment of internal control over financial reporting. A behavioral experiment is used, with internal auditors as participants. We provide some evidence that internal auditors who perform prior consulting services are less likely than others to conclude that an identified control deficiency is a material weakness, but only when the deficiency is directly related to the prior consulting services performed. Limitations include relatively small sample sizes and manipulation check failure rates that, although consistent with several prior studies, are somewhat high. If internal auditors have provided consulting services, they may want to consider limiting the assurance services provided to management that are more directly related to their consulting services. While prior studies have examined the effects of internal auditors’ role in designing internal controls on subsequent services, this is the first study to focus on the impact of providing internal audit consulting services on subsequent assurance services.

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Article
Publication date: 22 November 2011

Alireza Isfandyari‐Moghaddam and Vahideh Kashi‐Nahanji

The paper's aim is to study the role of information technology (IT) in the information literacy (IL) of high school students in Hamedan (Iran) through a comparative investigation…

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper's aim is to study the role of information technology (IT) in the information literacy (IL) of high school students in Hamedan (Iran) through a comparative investigation into the IL skills of students of ordinary and intelligent high schools. An intelligent school refers to a school in which students make use of information technologies in education and have a lesson on “methods of research” and an ordinary school refers to a school in which students do not have any access to information technologies and have no lessons on “methods of research”.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used was experimental research with post‐test‐only control group design. The research population consisted of 364 male and female high school students at 17 years of age in two groups of test and control in two kinds of ordinary and intelligent high schools. A questionnaire was used and it was completed by students on the basis of test and control group.

Findings

The results showed that the IL level was low among all students. The overall IL mean was 260. The IL mean was higher in intelligent schools (226.05) than in ordinary schools (161.18).

Practical implications

In order to improve the IL level of students, it is recommended that schools give mandatory lessons related to research methods and IL to students. Training courses also should be offered to teachers in order to increase their knowledge of IL and their skills for teaching IL to students.

Originality/value

The findings of this research can contribute to the field of IL especially at pre‐university level.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 63 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 11 September 2007

Stephen M. Mutula

The purpose is to trace the revolution in information and communication technology (ICT) and changes in this wake such as globalization, digital divide, information society…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to trace the revolution in information and communication technology (ICT) and changes in this wake such as globalization, digital divide, information society, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and e‐government and how these changes impact on the provision of library and information services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is largely based on review of literature both online and print.

Findings

The paper concludes that the paradigm shifts occurring in the information environment have affected the concept of library; the perception of ownership versus access of library resources; the nature of information resources and services; and the role of the information professional among others.

Research limitations/implications

The paper advocates for a proactive strategy on the part of information professionals in order to re‐engineer and adapt the library to the volatile global information environment in order to remain relevant in the wake of new paradigm occurrences.

Practical implications

Effective access and use of information will inevitably have great influence on the realisation of positive effects that the new paradigms occurrences engender in the global environment. It is desirable at this point in time to research into how information access and use can be brought to bear on the attainment of MDGs, bridge digital divide, enhance attainment of information society, promote e‐government, etc.

Originality/value

Despite, the rapid changes within the global information environment that has been occasioned by ICT, there is lack of critical mass of information science literature that addresses issues such MDGs, globalisation, information society and digital divide from the perspective of the information professional.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1997

Margaret Collins

Describes a small investigation into cycle safety with Key Stage 1 pupils. The investigation used the draw and write technique to find out what children in years 1 and 2 knew…

953

Abstract

Describes a small investigation into cycle safety with Key Stage 1 pupils. The investigation used the draw and write technique to find out what children in years 1 and 2 knew about safety in relation to riding bicycles. Finds that many children were aware of the need to wear a cycle helmet, and that some wrote about the need to wear knee pads, arm bands or special clothes. Suggests that a session such as that described could provide a useful way to work about keeping safe outdoors, road safety, protective clothing or safe behaviour, or as a useful one‐off session before a school holiday.

Details

Health Education, vol. 97 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

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