Hong‐Jen Lin and David C. VanderLinden
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether religions parables are relevant to finance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether religions parables are relevant to finance.
Design/methodology/approach
In the Gospel, one may find parallels to the capital asset pricing model in the context of the parables of the kingdom of God. For instance, the duality in the parables is particularly analogous to the gain – loss decision making in the practice and theory of finance. Moreover, several parables giving insight into investor reactions may help explain the premium puzzles in asset pricing.
Findings
Based on a thorough analysis, one can see that the parables contribute to finance practice and education.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to link parables in the Gospel of Matthew to finance theories.
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Current issues of Publishers' Weekly are reporting serious shortages of paper, binders board, cloth, and other essential book manufacturing materials. Let us assure you these…
Abstract
Current issues of Publishers' Weekly are reporting serious shortages of paper, binders board, cloth, and other essential book manufacturing materials. Let us assure you these shortages are very real and quite severe.
Minghui Hou and David Franklin Ayers
The purpose of this study is to identify discourses of sustainability of community colleges and how they related to sustainability imaginaries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify discourses of sustainability of community colleges and how they related to sustainability imaginaries.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a combination of research strategies associated with corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis. Data included 57 issues of Community College Journal, a professional magazine published by the American Association of Community Colleges, and 2,972 abstracts of dissertations about community colleges. Publication dates ranged from 2010 to 2020.
Findings
Community college discourse of sustainability coheres around six themes: careers and fields of study; curriculum and credentialing; campus ecological sustainability; administrative roles and processes; external organizations, partnerships and processes; and fiscal sustainability. There is little evidence of a sustainable living imaginary found.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis is limited to a specific set of professional and academic texts about community colleges. Future researchers should explore discourses of sustainability in other contexts.
Originality/value
There has been no research associated with critical discourse analysis and corpus linguistics to explore community college discourses of sustainability, specifically in the field of community college leadership. The findings of this study situate the community college within contests over sustainability competencies in the practice of community college leadership development.
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Pedro Antonio Martín-Cervantes and María del Carmen Valls Martínez
This chapter explores how the irruption of plastic materials in contemporary society, in the same way that it facilitated a wide range of human activities, eventually degenerated…
Abstract
This chapter explores how the irruption of plastic materials in contemporary society, in the same way that it facilitated a wide range of human activities, eventually degenerated into a global danger through the contamination of rivers and seas, damaging the human food chain. In doing so, the historical background of this situation has been outlined. Moreover, the countries and areas at present that have polluting plastic substances and those that can be most easily recycled is highlighted. It should be noted that it is precisely in the area of recyclability where most hopes have been placed to counteract plastic contamination aimed at avoiding single-use plastic products. Subsequently, the different positions adopted by the members of society on this problem have been described and, by way of example, the state of the situation in a specific country, Spain, has been summarised.
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Cynthia D. Anderson, Christine Mattley, Valerie Martin Conley and David A. Koonce
Community colleges are an under-recognized but vital component of higher education. Public two-year colleges provide a foundation for baccalaureate degree attainment, educate a…
Abstract
Purpose
Community colleges are an under-recognized but vital component of higher education. Public two-year colleges provide a foundation for baccalaureate degree attainment, educate a skilled math and science workforce, and support local economic development. Our research, which examines women STEM faculty at community colleges, highlights the role of gender in reproducing advantages and disadvantages within the academy.
Methodology
Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with 27 women faculty at nine community colleges in Ohio. We utilized semi-structured interviewing techniques to examine key dimensions such as decision-making leading to employment in two-year institutions, perceived advantages and disadvantages of such work, job satisfaction, and challenges to balancing career and family.
Findings
Results indicate considerable satisfaction among women faculty members, but contradict a popular stereotype that work at community colleges is easier for women with families. Despite relative parity in terms of occupational composition, pay, and tenure, community colleges are gendered in that they lack formal programs, institutionalized support, and leadership opportunities to support women.
Research limitations
Adjunct faculty play an important role in higher education but are underrepresented in our sample. Future research is needed to examine the unique situation of part-time faculty.
Implications
Community colleges are uniquely poised to contribute to improving gender equality for women in STEM. Understanding community colleges and the academic careers of women in STEM employed by these institutions is a vital step in our nation’s efforts to develop systemic approaches to increase representation and advancement of women in STEM careers.
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Pirotta Kimberly, Simon Grima and Ercan Özen
Purpose: The scope of this research is to conduct a study on the perceived effectiveness of developments in InsurTech, by determining online use integration in the Maltese…
Abstract
Purpose: The scope of this research is to conduct a study on the perceived effectiveness of developments in InsurTech, by determining online use integration in the Maltese insurance market.
Methodology: To do this, the authors employed a self-administered questionnaire to which 471 participants responded on a 5-point Likert scale. We subjected the data collected from this questionnaire to statistical analysis, specifically, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multiple linear analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.
Results: EFA loaded best on five factors of insurance customers’ perceived effectiveness, which make up the effectiveness model (EM), namely ‘Factor 1 – Internal Process Enhancement’, ‘Factor 2 – Cost-Efficiencies’; ‘Factor 3 – Time-Sensitive Conditions’, ‘Factor 4 – The Contemporary Use of Artificial Intelligence and Marketing in Relation to Customer Service’ and ‘Factor 5 – Customer Relations and Application of InsurTech in Communication’. Moreover, multiple linear regression results show that the perceived effectiveness dimension – EM is statistically significantly related to online use in Malta.
Practical implications: Therefore, it can be argued that the Maltese insurance sector is well prepared to meet the obligations and requirements of the European Green Deal. Findings shed light on the preparedness of the Maltese insurance market to accept innovative green proposals to go online with processes.
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The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent emergence of contemporary art in Asia from a macro, sociocultural perspective.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent emergence of contemporary art in Asia from a macro, sociocultural perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This commentary is based on secondary research and recent visits to contemporary art centres in major cities across Asia.
Findings
The author argues that contemporary art in Asia emerges by extension of the Western contemporary art world and suggests that more must be done if Asia is to create a contemporary art world that is both internationally recognised and distinct from its Western precedent.
Originality/value
This commentary debunks the hyperbole surrounding contemporary art in Asia as a regional phenomenon and provides a critical examination of the global (power) dynamics at play.