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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2001

J.J. Boersema, G.W.J. Barendse, J. Bertels and A.E. de Wit

Conducts an analysis of the content and scope of textbooks in environmental science, and discusses what to do about possible shortcomings. In almost all introductory courses…

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Abstract

Conducts an analysis of the content and scope of textbooks in environmental science, and discusses what to do about possible shortcomings. In almost all introductory courses, teachers and students make use of textbooks. One may therefore safely assume that the content of these books reflects somehow what is thought to be relevant to the teaching and knowledge of environmental sciences. Scope and content may therefore represent what is considered to be the core curriculum, at least in the eyes of the editors and writers of these books. The analysis is confined to 12 textbooks published over the last five years, of which ten are in the English language, paying most attention to those widely used. Important research questions were: What perspective do the books take? Is their scope clearly depicted? How are environmental problems defined? What are the major issues and concepts dealt with? How are they structured? What is left out and/or missed? None of the books examined takes a disciplinary stance. In nearly all, chooses a thematic approach, with strong emphasis on Earth as a living system, and on the human‐environment interrelationship. There is a rather strong overlap in themes and concepts used, suggesting the existence of a shared “body of knowledge”, which is quite promising when striving after a core curriculum. Social and societal aspects come relatively late on the stage, mostly in the second or third part of the books, when implementation of measures is at stake. In several textbooks, environmental problems are taken as problems formulated and defined by natural scientists. Interdisciplinary methodology does not get proper attention.

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International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

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Book part
Publication date: 15 August 2002

Andreas Kontoleon, Richard Macrory and Timothy Swanson

The paper focuses on the question of the extent to which individual preference-based values are suitable in guiding environmental policy and damage assessment decisions. Three…

Abstract

The paper focuses on the question of the extent to which individual preference-based values are suitable in guiding environmental policy and damage assessment decisions. Three criteria for “suitableness” are reviewed: conceptual, moral and legal. Their discussion suggests that: (i) the concept of economic value as applied to environmental resources is a meaningful concept based on the notion of trade-off; (ii) the limitations of the moral foundations of cost-benefit analysis do not invalidate its use as a procedure for guiding environmental decision making; (iii) the input of individual preferences into damage assessment is compatible with the basic foundations of tort law; (iv) using individual preference-based methods provides incentives for efficient levels of due care; (v) determining standing is still very contentious for various categories of users as well as for aggregating non-use values. Overall, the discussion suggests that the use of preference-based approaches in both the policy and legal arenas is warranted provided that they are accurately applied, their limitations are openly acknowledged and they assume an information-providing rather than a determinative role.

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An Introduction to the Law and Economics of Environmental Policy: Issues in Institutional Design
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76230-888-0

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2009

Joshua Woods and Vladimir Shlapentokh

This article investigates the possibility of studying modern organizations with the feudal model. We introduce feudalism as an ideal type and explain why it is necessary for…

112

Abstract

This article investigates the possibility of studying modern organizations with the feudal model. We introduce feudalism as an ideal type and explain why it is necessary for understanding organizations. The model synthesizes several perspectives on intra-organizational conflict. After defining the feudal model and tracing its theoretical roots, we review several empirical studies to identify the conditions under which feudal conflicts arise. These factors include decentralization, structural interdependence, uncertainty and informal power. The feudal model highlights several overlooked aspects of organizations, including personal relations, the manipulation of formal rules, bribery, corruption and sabotage. However, given the model's limitations, we propose a “segmented approach” to social analysis, which emphasizes the need for multiple models to explain any organization, past or present.

Details

International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1093-4537

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Article
Publication date: 28 November 2024

Subhendu Bikash Santra, Subodh Kumar Mohanty and Tanmoy Roy Choudhury

This study aims to propose a new connection technique of bypass diode (BD) in photovoltaic (PV) array, which reduces the circulating current (CC) within PV modules as well as…

25

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to propose a new connection technique of bypass diode (BD) in photovoltaic (PV) array, which reduces the circulating current (CC) within PV modules as well as conduction loss in partial shaded condition (PSC).

Design/methodology/approach

Linearized circuit model of PV panel is proposed for calculating the CC and power loss of novel BD arrangements in PV array. From the analysis the best BD arrangement is applied in series parallel, TCT and honeycomb (HC) PV array structure for simulation and hardware verification. The hardware verification is performed in a 3 × 3 PV array, where individual panel capacity is 200 W.

Findings

The proposed BD arrangement reduces the power loss due to CC under PSC by almost 3% compared to conventional BD structure in a PV array.

Originality/value

The proposed BD arrangement is simple and useful in large PV power plants to reduce the CC-based extra power loss under PSC.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

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Book part
Publication date: 30 September 2021

Mishal Khan

The abolition of slavery in the British Empire demanded a complete transformation of the global legal and political order. Focusing on British India, this chapter argues that this…

Abstract

The abolition of slavery in the British Empire demanded a complete transformation of the global legal and political order. Focusing on British India, this chapter argues that this restructuring was, in and of itself, a vital racial project that played out on a global stage. Examining these dynamics over the nineteenth century, I trace how this project unfolded from the vantage point of the Bombay Presidency and the western coast of India, tightly integrated into Indian Ocean networks trading goods, ideas, and, of course, peoples. I show how Shidis – African origin groups in South Asia and across the Middle East – were almost the sole subjects of British antislavery interventions in India after abolition. This association was intensified over the nineteenth century as Indian slavery was simultaneously reconfigured to recede from view. This chapter establishes these dynamics empirically by examining a dataset of encounters at borders, ports, and transit hubs, showing how the legal and political regime that emerged after abolition forged novel configurations around “race” and “slavery.” Documenting these “benign” encounters shifts attention to the racializing dimensions of imperial abolition, rather than enslavement. Once “freed,” the administrative and bureaucratic apparatus that monitored and managed Shidis inscribed this identity into the knowledge regime of the colonial state resulting in the long-term racialization of Shidis in South Asia, the effects of which are still present today.

Details

Global Historical Sociology of Race and Racism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-219-6

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Article
Publication date: 11 May 2015

Monique Arkesteijn, Bart Valks, Ruud Binnekamp, Peter Barendse and Hans De Jonge

This paper aims to describe the development and test of such a design method to achieve alignment, which utilises the preference-based accommodation strategy (PAS) design…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the development and test of such a design method to achieve alignment, which utilises the preference-based accommodation strategy (PAS) design procedure. One of the long-standing issues in the field of corporate real estate management is the alignment of an organisation’s real estate to its corporate strategy. A classification of alignment models shows that no model yet exists that is able to design a real estate portfolio and makes use of scales for direct measurement of added value/preference, and allows the aggregation of individual ratings into an overall performance rating.

Design/methodology/approach

To perform the steps in the PAS design procedure, a mathematical model is designed and tested according to formal design principles. The PAS design procedure is iteratively repeated with the participants in a series of interviews and workshops. In the interviews, the participants determine their preferences and constraints as prescribed in the procedure; in the workshops, they design alternative portfolios using the mathematical model. The objective of the research is to formulate, test and evaluate if participants are able to perform the PAS design procedure.

Findings

A methodology is developed for designing a real estate strategy that uses explicit scales for measuring value/preference and enables aggregating individual preference ratings into an overall rating taking into account both quantitative and qualitative portfolio properties. The tests of this design method with the participants reveal that by completing the steps in the PAS design procedure, users are able to determine their preferences accordingly. They were also able to design an alternative portfolio with a higher overall preference score than the current real estate portfolio. In addition, the design method is evaluated positively by the participants based on their experiences, the attractiveness of the method and perception of effectiveness of the method.

Research limitations/implications

The positive results suggest that designing a strategy by using the PAS design procedure is a suitable approach to alignment.

Practical implications

The PAS design procedure enables corporate real estate (CRE) managers to determine the added value of a real estate strategy. Because the PAS design method is generic, it can be used for a wide range of real estate portfolios.

Originality/value

The first CRE alignment model uses stakeholders preferences to design a more optimal real estate strategy.

Details

Journal of Corporate Real Estate, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-001X

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Article
Publication date: 22 June 2010

Ralph Kattenbach, Evangelia Demerouti and Friedhelm Nachreiner

The aim of this study is to provide a useful conceptualization of flexible working times and to examine the relationships between flexible working times and employees' well‐being…

16446

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to provide a useful conceptualization of flexible working times and to examine the relationships between flexible working times and employees' well‐being and peer ratings of performance. It is supposed that an employee's “time‐autonomy” would be positively related to performance and well‐being. On the contrary, an unfavorable effect of “time restriction” on well‐being is expected.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐study was conducted among 167 German employees from 17 different organizations. Information about in‐role and extra‐role performance was also obtained via peer evaluations.

Findings

The data support a two‐factor structure of flexibility. The time restriction factor adds to the degree of exhaustion and the work‐nonwork conflict, while time autonomy diminishes these outcome variables. However, the flexibility dimensions are unrelated to performance.

Originality/value

The multidimensional conceptualization of flexibility allows for the detection of advantages and drawbacks regarding the effectiveness of flexible working time models.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Philip Blonski and Simon Christian Blonski

The purpose of this study is to question the undifferentiated treatment of individual traders as “dumb noise traders?”. We question this undifferentiated verdict by conducting an…

1474

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to question the undifferentiated treatment of individual traders as “dumb noise traders?”. We question this undifferentiated verdict by conducting an analysis of the cognitive competence of individual investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors let experts (both experienced researchers as well as practitioners) assess the mathematical and verbal reasoning demands of investment tasks investigated in previous studies.

Findings

Based on this assessment, this paper concludes that individual investors are able to perform a number of complex cognitive actions, especially those demanding higher-order verbal reasoning. However, they seem to reach cognitive limitations with tasks demanding greater mathematical reasoning ability. This is especially unfortunate, as tasks requiring higher mathematical reasoning are considered to be more relevant to performance. These findings have important implications for future regulatory measures.

Research limitations/implications

This study has two non-trivial limitations. First, indirect measurement of mental requirements does not allow authors to make definite statements about the cognitive competence of individual investors. To do so, it would be necessary to conduct laboratory experiments which directly measure performance of investors on different investment and other cognitively demanding tasks. However, such data are not available for retail investors on this market to the best of the authors’s knowledge. We therefore think that our approach is a valuable first step toward understanding investors’ cognitive competence using data that are available at this moment. Second, the number of analyzed (and available) tasks is rather low (n = 10) which limits the power of tests and restricts the authors from using more profound (deductive) statistical analyses.

Practical implications

This paper proposes to illustrate information in key investor documents mostly verbally (e.g. as proposed by Rieger, 2009), compel exchanges and issuers of retail derivatives to create awareness for the results of the reviewed studies and our conclusion and to offer online math trainings especially designed for individual investors to better prepare them for different trading activities, as these have been shown to be as effective as face-to-face trainings (Frederickson et al., 2005; Karr et al., 2003).

Social implications

This study can only be considered as a first step toward understanding the cognitive limitations of individual investors indirectly and could be transferred to other market areas as well.

Originality/value

This study is the first to combine the assessment of outstanding researchers in this field with the results of previous studies. In doing so, this paper provides an overarching framework of interpretation for these studies.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

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Article
Publication date: 4 March 2014

Ashkan Moosavian, Hojat Ahmadi, Babak Sakhaei and Reza Labbafi

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an appropriate approach for detecting unbalanced fault in rotating machines using KNN and SVM classifiers.

607

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an appropriate approach for detecting unbalanced fault in rotating machines using KNN and SVM classifiers.

Design/methodology/approach

To fulfil this goal, a fault diagnosis approach based on signal processing, feature extraction and fault classification, was used. Vibration signals were acquired from a designed experimental system with three conditions, namely, no load, balanced load and unbalanced load. FFT technique was applied to transform the vibration signals from time-domain into frequency-domain. In total, 29 feature parameters were extracted from FFT amplitude of the signals. SVM and KNN were employed to classify the three different conditions. The performances of the two classifiers were obtained under different values of their parameter.

Findings

The experimental results show the potential application of SVM for machine fault diagnosis.

Practical implications

The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be used effectively for detecting unbalanced condition in rotating machines.

Originality/value

In this paper, an intelligent approach for unbalanced fault detection was proposed based on supervised learning method. Also, a performance comparison was made between KNN and SVM in fault classification. In addition, this approach gave a high level of classification accuracy. The proposed intelligent approach can be used for other mechanical faults.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

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Article
Publication date: 17 February 2025

Bhawna Bhawna, Prinka Dogra, Umair Akram and Sanjeev Kumar Sharma

In light of the rapidly evolving global work environment and the unique needs of startups, this study investigates the potential of gamified practices (GP) as a human resource…

4

Abstract

Purpose

In light of the rapidly evolving global work environment and the unique needs of startups, this study investigates the potential of gamified practices (GP) as a human resource management tool to enhance employer branding (EB).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from employees in Indian startup companies (N = 1,842) through a structured questionnaire. The study used Smart-PLS for variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that GP significantly influences IM, which is the internal desire to perform a task due to the enjoyment it brings, and JA, which is the level of independence and freedom given to an employee in their job, as parallel mediators between GP and EB. Further, prior perceptions of the employer brand (PPEB), which refer to the pre-existing beliefs and attitudes employees hold about the employer brand, moderate the relationship between GP and JA, highlighting that individuals with varying PPEB respond differently to JA facilitated through GP.

Practical implications

The study’s findings underscore the importance of tailoring GP experiences to individual needs and prior brand perceptions for optimal results. Furthermore, it highlights GP as a potent tool for shaping positive employer brand perceptions, particularly when it aligns with an organization’s values and offers an engaging, competitive and realistic experience.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field by addressing the underexplored impact of GP on EB within the dynamic startup ecosystem. It explores the mediating roles of IM and JA and the moderating effect of PPEB, shedding light on the dynamic relationships between gamified practices and EB.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

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