Examines alternative ways to foster microenterprises in developing countries. Microenterprises, in contrast to maquiladoras (assembly or processing plants), contribute to just…
Abstract
Examines alternative ways to foster microenterprises in developing countries. Microenterprises, in contrast to maquiladoras (assembly or processing plants), contribute to just relationships in the workplace and to human development. In today’s global economy, US corporations have established a number of maquiladoras in Latin America and the Caribbean that have benefitted them as foreign owners but have had some deleterious effects on the workers and economies of the countries. US financial institutions and non‐profit organizations are providing micro‐financing, training and organization to promote microenterprises in developing countries. These enterprises, though small, contribute to self‐sufficient development at the grassroots level.
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John Paul II’s encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, written 20 years after Paul VI’s encyclical Populorum Progressio on development, reiterates principles of that letter and…
Abstract
John Paul II’s encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, written 20 years after Paul VI’s encyclical Populorum Progressio on development, reiterates principles of that letter and addresses the need to go beyond a purely economic concept of development to promote authentic human development for persons and society. Continuing problems on the world scene have led to questions about the adequacy of traditional economic development theories/strategies and policies of international organizations, if the goal is to improve the condition of humanity and not only achieve certain macroeconomic standards of growth. The peoples of developing countries experience obstacles to human progress because of the structures and policies of their governments, and because of their dependence on decisions made by industrialized nations. John Paul II’s systemic approach to social concerns is effective in questioning the values underlying current policies and operations, and in presenting an alternative, more complete concept of development for the world to consider.
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Jacqueline Solis and Katherine S. Dabbour
This paper aims to describe how an academic library is using federal grant money to contribute to Latino student success by strengthening library collections, archives, and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe how an academic library is using federal grant money to contribute to Latino student success by strengthening library collections, archives, and information competence.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the inequalities faced by US Latinos in higher education and how the Oviatt Library at California State University Northridge is addressing this through a project funded by a Hispanic‐Serving Institutions (HSI) Program grant from the US Department of Education. The grant project has three objectives: 1) Increase students' library use by expanding the library's collection of Latino‐related materials, library instruction program, and outreach; 2) Acquire and provide access to primary archival materials related to Latino individuals and organizations in the local community; and 3) Create and administer valid and reliable information competence assessment tools.
Findings
Grant money can be an important tool for contributing to a library's ability to respond to the needs of its community.
Originality/value
This case study should encourage libraries to seek funding from sources that are not generally considered.
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John Paul II's views on economic systems have been construed differently by some commentators who have been seeking approval for their own views rather than searching for the…
Abstract
Purpose
John Paul II's views on economic systems have been construed differently by some commentators who have been seeking approval for their own views rather than searching for the meaning that he himself intends to convey. John Paul is labeled by many as favoring capitalism, and by others as supporting socialism. A few have been scrutinizing his statements in hopes of finding support for a “third‐way.” In this paper, John Paul is quoted at length to represent his views more accurately.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper originated in a collection of essays on the theme of John Paul II's vision of the social economy that was published by the International Journal of Social Economics in fall 1998. This author is indebted to the contributors to that collection for many insights into John Paul's vision. Eight topics are covered: consumption, distribution, capital investment, work as such, leisure, labor, development, and market economy versus command economy. This paper uses many more direct quotes than is customary in scholarly work, but there is no other way to proceed and remain faithful to John Paul's vision of the social economy.
Findings
John Paul's writings on economic affairs are significant for what they teach about the premises employed in economics. His own philosophy of the human person reinforces the four premises of personalist economics more so than the premises of the mainstream and challenges the mainstream at its foundations in the philosophy of individualism.
Research limitations/implications
John Paul speaks to a wide range of issues and questions central to economics and economic affairs. It would be presumptuous to represent this paper as a thorough examination of everything that John Paul has said, written, and means in this regard.
Practical implications
This paper attempts to highlight some of the key arguments that John Paul II has set forth on eight centrally important economic topics, comparing and contrasting his pronouncements with the views of mainstream economists on the same topics.
Originality/value
This paper draws on the insights of 20 professional colleagues specialized in range of subdisciplines in economics, holding faculty positions at major universities in the USA, Italy, and Canada, and with a strong interest in understanding the social economy. The concluding section states John Paul's vision of the social economy in terms of 13 most important arguments.
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Sara Forti, Barbara Colombo, John Clark, Arianna Bonfanti, Stefania Molteni, Alessandro Crippa, Alessandro Antonietti and Massimo Molteni
This paper aims to present the application and critical reflection on the effects of a intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): the Soundbeam Imitation…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the application and critical reflection on the effects of a intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): the Soundbeam Imitation Intervention (SII). The intervention is based on the imitation of meaningless body gestures supported by a musical feedback. The rationale underlying SII is that mirror neurons deficit may represent the cause for the incomplete development of social and motor functioning in children with ASD. Following this assumption, it is possible to hypothesise that a systematic activation of this a system through the simultaneous observation-execution of meaningless body gestures may affect functional changes of mirror-related functions.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 14 children, who were between 5 and 9 years of age, with a diagnosis of ASD were involved in a six weeks’ SII programme. The programme is designed as a three-step progression, where each step includes exercises that focus on an activity: synchronous/one arm imitation, synchronous/two arms imitation and delayed imitation. Exercises are based on repeated movements-melodies associations of increasing difficulty. Motor imitation and social attention were assessed using a synchronous video-modelling task pre and post intervention.
Findings
Data highlight significant improvements in imitation accuracy and duration of social sustained attention were achieved.
Originality/value
Data reported in this paper provide preliminary and promising evidence that imitation and social attention skills acquired through SII can be generalised to a video-modelling imitation setting. The SII ordinal execution has included meaningless gestures, usually excluded from previous interventions, and this adds further validity to the training.
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In this summary of the key speakers at the Strategic Leadership Forum's 1999 Conference, the author poses answers to a number of questions:What does the year 2000 mean for…
Abstract
In this summary of the key speakers at the Strategic Leadership Forum's 1999 Conference, the author poses answers to a number of questions:What does the year 2000 mean for business enterprises? Is it a turning point in any sense beyond a calendar? What are the key uncertainties facing business leaders at this historical juncture? What are the central issues for business strategy that arise from these uncertainties? And what concepts and tools can help companies manage the transition to a new era?
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Barbara Hightower, Carolyn Rawl and Michelle Schutt
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the findings of a faculty survey, collaborative efforts between the Library, the Information Technology Services, and the School of Nursing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the findings of a faculty survey, collaborative efforts between the Library, the Information Technology Services, and the School of Nursing at Auburn University at Montgomery, and methods to persuade faculty to deliver the Library to their students using WebCT.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was distributed to 102 faculty with WebCT shells residing on the campus server. Follow‐up interviews were conducted, and the Library's server log was examined to determine the number of referrals to the Library originating from WebCT. A case study using the recommendations is included.
Research limitations/implications
Research was limited to a single university campus. Similar studies elsewhere would likely support the need for librarian involvement in course management system supported courses.
Findings
While a small percentage of faculty actually linked to the Library, a significant number indicated interest in doing so. Increase in Library access through School of Nursing WebCT courses supports the conclusion that librarians must be proactive in developing collaborations.
Practical implications
Similar collaborative efforts and the methods suggested in this paper can be used by librarians elsewhere to promote library use and development of information literacy skills utilizing campus course management systems.
Originality/value
This paper indicates that faculty are willing to integrate the campus library into their courses if they are educated about the process, and it offers suggestions for reaching faculty.
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In recent decades, capitalist globalization has entailed a new international division of labor with the relocation of some stages of manufacturing production from the Center to…
Abstract
In recent decades, capitalist globalization has entailed a new international division of labor with the relocation of some stages of manufacturing production from the Center to the Periphery through the Global value chains (GVCs). This new pattern of global production is marked by wide income disparities between the different regions of the world economy, accentuated by value transfers hidden within both traditional and GVCs international trade. The chapter presents a theoretical model based on a Marxian approach for the accounting of unequal exchange in international trade in value-added, resulting from the decoupling of value-produced and value-captured inside and outside GVCs. The empirical results show the ongoing relevance of unequal exchange in contemporary capitalism as one of the fundamental causes of disparities in income and economic development among the countries of the global economy.