Examines the effect of Internet growth on education within Japan, where English and the alphabet are not the first forms of communication. In 1997 the Internet Society carried out…
Abstract
Examines the effect of Internet growth on education within Japan, where English and the alphabet are not the first forms of communication. In 1997 the Internet Society carried out research to find what language people were using on the Internet. English accounted for 82% of all web sites, German was second with 4% and then Japanese at under 2%. However, with policy changes at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, and better translation software, the Japanese use of the Internet exploded. By the end of 1997 the number of servers using Japanese overtook those using German. This article examines the policies, initiatives and developments of the Japanese Government that created this growth and looks at the effect of these changes on educational policies.
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Emma Beacom, Lynsey Elizabeth Hollywood, Christopher McLaughlin, Sinead Furey, Ruth Price, Una McMahon-Beattie and Amy Burns
The purpose of this study is to investigate the proportionality of market brand (MB) foods versus supermarket own brand (OB) foods sold on promotion and to compare their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the proportionality of market brand (MB) foods versus supermarket own brand (OB) foods sold on promotion and to compare their healthiness.
Design/methodology/approach
An existing dataset containing nutritional information about a variety of foods on promotion (n = 6,776) from 48 stores across 8 retail chains in Northern Ireland (NI) was reanalysed. Product healthiness was measured using a score aligned to the Food Standards Agency's Front of Pack nutrient labelling system. MBs and OBs were considered as a whole and in their respective subsets–international/national and regional MBs, and premium, mid-market and value tiered OBs.
Findings
Results found a balance in favour of health (52.4% amber/green versus 47.6% red) across retailers' promotions in NI. Further, OB products were often found to be superior to MBs with regards to overall healthfulness, and regional brands were found to be less healthy than international/national brands.
Research limitations/implications
Findings rationale further retail research to compare nutritionally OB and MB product types, and further consumer research regarding important attributes of OBs.
Practical implications
Retailers should communicate the comparative healthiness of their OBs in comparison to MB alternatives, in addition to communicating comparative price savings. There is opportunity for retailers to increase visibility of mid-market and value OB tiers, and for regional MBs to improve the nutritional profile of products in line with the consumer trend for health.
Originality/value
This study provides a contribution by using data on OBs and MBs on promotion, and by investigating the nutritional differences between different tiers of OB and MB products.
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Kirsty Liddiard, Sally Whitney-Mitchell, Katy Evans, Lucy Watts, Ruth Spurr, Emma Vogelmann, Katherine Runswick-Cole and Dan Goodley
Taylor Price and Antony Puddephatt
Open access publishing is an increasingly popular trend in the dissemination of academic work, allowing journals to print articles electronically and without the burden of…
Abstract
Open access publishing is an increasingly popular trend in the dissemination of academic work, allowing journals to print articles electronically and without the burden of subscription paywalls, enabling much wider access for audiences. Yet subscription-based journals remain the most dominant in the social sciences and humanities, and it is often a struggle for newer open access publications to compete, in terms of economic, cultural, and symbolic capital (Bourdieu, 2004). Our study explores the meanings of resistance held by the editors of open access journals in the social sciences and humanities in Canada, as well as the views of university librarians. To make sense of these meanings, we draw on Lonnie Athens’ (2015) radical interactionist account of power, and expand on this by incorporating George Herbert Mead’s (1932, 1938) theory of emergence, arguing that open access is characteristic of an “extended rationality” (Chang, 2004) for those involved. Drawing on our open-ended interview data, we find that open access is experienced as a form of resistance in at least four ways. These include resistance to (1) profit motives in academic publishing; (2) access barriers for audiences; (3) access barriers for contributors; and (4) traditional publishing conventions.
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This paper investigates how outcomes-based performance management (PM) regimes operate in the partnerships known as social impact bonds (SIBs), which bring together partners from…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates how outcomes-based performance management (PM) regimes operate in the partnerships known as social impact bonds (SIBs), which bring together partners from the public, private and third sectors. The findings are analysed in the light of the different cultural world views of the partners.
Design/methodology/approach
Published evaluations of 25 UK SIBs were analysed by a qualitative multiple case study approach. This study of secondary sources permitted the analysis of a wide range of SIB partnerships from near contemporary accounts.
Findings
Outcomes frameworks led to rigorous PM regimes that brought the cultural differences between partners into focus. While partnerships benefitted from the variety of viewpoints and expertise, the differences in outlook simultaneously led to strains and tensions. In order to mitigate such tensions, some stakeholders conformed to the outlooks of others.
Practical implications
The need to achieve a predefined set of payable outcomes embeds a “linear” view of intervention and effect on the SIB partners and a performance regime in which some partners dominate. In designing accountability systems for partnerships such as SIBs, commissioners should consider how the performance regime will affect the interests of all stakeholders.
Originality/value
This study adds to the cultural theory literature which has rarely considered three-way partnerships embodying hierarchical, individualist and egalitarian world views and how performance regimes operate in such partnerships. Three-way partnerships are thought to be rare and short-lived, but this empirical study shows that they can be successful albeit over a predefined lifespan.
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Guoyuan Sang, Jun Zhou and Abdulghani Muthanna
This qualitative study aimed to explore how the school–university partnership (SUP) enhances the elementary teachers' professional development in a school-based setting.
Abstract
Purpose
This qualitative study aimed to explore how the school–university partnership (SUP) enhances the elementary teachers' professional development in a school-based setting.
Design/methodology/approach
By following the qualitative case study methodology, this case study employs semi-structured interviews (the authors designed) with 10 school teachers and administrators. The authors adapted the iterative process analysis (Miles and Huberman, 1984) for compiling, coding, annotating the data and interpreting the interview transcripts. The authors also used the member checking technique that establishes credibility in a qualitative study (Lincoln and Guba, 1985) with six participants.
Findings
The findings suggest that participating in a series of professional learning activities led to the enhancement of teachers' and administrators learning experiences in view of educational theories, action research abilities, teaching efficiency, teaching research capacities and improvement of school guidelines. Further, they reveal that the participants' expectations for future SUP collaborations centred on realizing the sustainability and effectiveness of collaborations, and autonomy of teachers.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the current study include its focus on a single SUP within one school and the reliance on data collected only by interviews during the SUP process. This study offers implications for teacher learning within SUP collaborations. First, schools should consider how to involve and influence all teachers rather than SUP core members only. To this end, authentic professional learning communities need to be constructed. Second, universities should pay much more attention to the professional development of their faculty members towards integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences.
Originality/value
This original study explores practical ways of improving teachers' theoretical and practical teaching practices/experiences through SUP projects, and contributes new knowledge to the teaching professional development of school teachers and administrators.
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Denis Samwel Ringo and Ruth Elias
This study examines the influence of restaurant location and innovative restaurant practices on the performance of restaurant. The study further explores the moderating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the influence of restaurant location and innovative restaurant practices on the performance of restaurant. The study further explores the moderating role of innovative restaurant practices in the relationship between restaurant location and performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a cross-sectional survey design. Data were gathered via structured questionnaires from 281 restaurant managers in Tanzania. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to assess the validity of the measurement model, while hypotheses were tested with the PROCESS macro.
Findings
The results indicate that both restaurant location and innovative practices significantly influence restaurant performance. Moreover, the implementation of innovative practices not only directly enhances performance but also strengthens the positive effect of a location on performance. This highlights the critical role of innovation in optimizing the benefits of a strategic location.
Practical implications
Restaurant owners should carefully choose locations for their business to enhance performance. They should also prioritize innovation through unique menu items, technology and creative marketing strategies to enhance performance. Additionally, owners and managers should focus on integrating innovation with location strategy, as innovative practices strengthen the effect of location on overall restaurant performance.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the limited empirical evidence on the influence of location and innovative practices on restaurant performance. Additionally, the study adds to the existing literature by examining the moderating effect of innovative restaurant practices on the relationship between restaurant location and performance, an aspect not previously explored in prior research.
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The selection and evaluation of CD‐ROM disks are important steps in the planning of a CD‐ROM facility. The choice of databases depends upon, among other factors, the objectives of…
Abstract
The selection and evaluation of CD‐ROM disks are important steps in the planning of a CD‐ROM facility. The choice of databases depends upon, among other factors, the objectives of the library, the projected use of each disk, and financial considerations. In this article we review the literature that deals with these matters. We begin with what is available on disk selection, via both printed directories and in the journals. We next discuss reported methods of disk evaluation. Finally, we cover existing reviews of various CD‐ROM products.