Search results
1 – 10 of 18This paper's goals are to motivate the design of an electronic textbook that seeks to transform how textbooks are used inside and outside the classroom. In particular, it seeks to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper's goals are to motivate the design of an electronic textbook that seeks to transform how textbooks are used inside and outside the classroom. In particular, it seeks to show that merely creating an electronic form of an existing paper textbook is not a sufficiently motivating condition for instructors and students to move from paper to electronic textbooks, and doing so misses much of the opportunities presented by electronic media to enhance learning from textbooks.
Design/methodology/approach
An electronic textbook application running on Microsoft's TabletPC operating system was implemented and used as the primary text in three offerings of an Introductory Computer Science course, with one section used as a control group. Student learning was assessed via course examinations and overall grades, and student perceptions and use of the textbook were assessed via surveys.
Findings
No significant differences in student learning or textbook usage were observed between students using the electronic and paper versions of the textbook. The surveys indicated a generally neutral reaction to the electronic textbook.
Research limitations/implications
The number of students used to evaluate the electronic textbook's effectiveness was small, and the text was not evaluated in multiple types of courses.
Practical implications
Instructors often teach and assess students in such a way that reading the text is not required for success. If instructors continue to assign textbooks, a way must be found to motivate their use and improve the way students use them.
Originality/value
This paper gives guidance to those seeking to design and implement electronic books in an educational setting.
Details
Keywords
Corey R. Payne and Beverly J. Silver
Many analyses point to Trump's behavior on the world stage – bullying and racketeering more reminiscent of a mafioso than a statesman – as a personal character flaw. We argue…
Abstract
Many analyses point to Trump's behavior on the world stage – bullying and racketeering more reminiscent of a mafioso than a statesman – as a personal character flaw. We argue that, while this behavior was shocking in how unvarnished it was, Trump marks the culmination of a decades-long trend that shifted US foreign policy from a regime of “legitimate protection” in the mid-twentieth century to a “protection racket” by the turn of the twenty-first. While the temperaments of successive presidents have mattered, the problems facing the United States and its role in the world are not attributable to personalities but are fundamentally structural, in large part stemming from the contradictions of US attempts to cling to preeminence in the face of a changing global distribution of power. The inability of successive US administrations – Trump and Biden included – to break out of the mindset of US primacy has resulted in a situation of “domination without hegemony” in which the United States plays an increasingly dysfunctional role in the world. This dynamic has plunged the world into a period of systemic chaos analogous to the first half of the twentieth century.
Details
Keywords
Andrew Bruce, John Wills Lloyd and Michael J. Kennedy
Self-monitoring has become one of the most widely employed self-control procedures in special education for students with learning disabilities and emotional or behavioral…
Abstract
Self-monitoring has become one of the most widely employed self-control procedures in special education for students with learning disabilities and emotional or behavioral disorders. Although its success has been documented across age groups, settings, and diverse applications, researchers have continued to study the question of whether focusing self-monitoring on certain target behaviors – particularly attention to task or academic performance – will yield superior outcomes for students. We review 11 available studies that have examined this issue, classifying each study according to the ways in which the researchers had students monitor their own behavior. The results show only small differences among the different methods and indicate a need for teachers to continue exercising professional judgment in planning the use of self-monitoring.
Clifton O. Mayfield and Thomas D. Taber
Individual characteristics have been weaker correlates of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) than have attitudinal and contextual variables; however, few individual…
Abstract
Purpose
Individual characteristics have been weaker correlates of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) than have attitudinal and contextual variables; however, few individual characteristics have been examined. This paper seeks to broaden the search for possible antecedents to include individuals' prosocial self‐concept.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey (n=226) was conducted to examine the relationship between university students' prosocial self‐concept and their intentions to engage in campus‐related service and citizenship activities. Prosocial self‐concept was assessed with Crandall's 24‐item Social Interest Scale.
Findings
Prosocial self‐concept correlated modestly, but significantly, with OCB intentions toward fellow students (r=0.16, p<0.05), and OCB intentions toward society (r=0.18, p<0.05), but not with OCB intentions toward the university (r=0.12). Identification with the university correlated significantly with OCB intentions toward the university (r=0.29, p<0.001), but not with OCB intentions toward fellow students (r=0.13) or society (r=0.11). No significant interaction effects on OCBs were found between prosocial self‐concept and organizational identification.
Research limitations/implications
Observed correlations among prosocial self‐concept, university identification and the OCBs are very likely underestimated due to probable restrictions in the variance of the OCBs.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that prosocial self‐concept may be a unique correlate of OCB, contributing variance not accounted for by other variables.
Originality/value
Few empirical studies have examined the relationship between self‐concept and OCB.
Details
Keywords
Eric W. Liguori, Benjamin D. McLarty and Jeffrey Muldoon
The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between proactive personality and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Moderators between these constructs are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between proactive personality and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Moderators between these constructs are proposed in order to explain varying levels of dispositional impact on work behavior. These relationships were also tested to see whether proactive personality should be considered a strong or weak trait. Trait activation theory and social exchange theory are used to develop hypotheses.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collected via a targeted sampling strategy from 178 supervisor-subordinate dyads spanning multiple industries and organizations were used. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical linear regression.
Findings
Results indicate a positive relationship exists between proactive personality and organizationally directed citizenship behaviors, and that this relationship is moderated by both job autonomy and job meaning.
Originality/value
The paper is one of the first to explore the relationship between proactive personality and citizenship behaviors directed at the organization. It also bolsters the strong trait argument by demonstrating that, even in conditions of low autonomy and meaning, highly proactive individuals will still perform OCBs.
Details
Keywords
Umesh Sharma and Amanpreet Kaur
This paper aims to present an overview of the development of the public value accounting approach and its application to public sector accountability in New Zealand.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an overview of the development of the public value accounting approach and its application to public sector accountability in New Zealand.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the public value framework to demonstrate the outcome-related planning and control mechanisms that are put in place in the public sector. The paper draws from archival research using a case study of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.
Findings
The public value accounting-based calculative practices are on the rise within the New Zealand public sector. New Zealand’s public sector is oriented towards a public value budget.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited through the use of secondary data and the use of content analysis methodology. The research enables policymakers to fund initiatives that enhance the well-being of the community. Public value can be created as a joint effort between citizens and government as evident from the case study. By looking at the totality of the impact of government through public value creation can help to improve policy decisions. Government policymakers need to emphasise on those public value creation that has an enormous positive impact on the citizens. This will also help to improve the relationship between government and citizens through increased trust in the government by citizens.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the public value research which has received relatively less attention in the literature. Public value accounting is a research field that is yet to achieve a significant level of attention.
Details
Keywords
Katherine S. Virgo, Jennette R. Piry, Mary P. Valentine, Darcy R. Denner, Gery Ryan, Nathan K. Risk and Rumi Kato Price
The objectives of the current interim report are to measure the extent of the access to care problem, identify and compare the types of patient- and system-based barriers…
Abstract
The objectives of the current interim report are to measure the extent of the access to care problem, identify and compare the types of patient- and system-based barriers experienced by Vietnam veterans at risk for suicide when seeking care for physical, psychiatric, and substance abuse conditions, analyze patient-perceived quality of care for individuals who obtained access to care, and identify how the care-seeking experience effected future care seeking. This study is based on a longitudinal sample of 494 Vietnam veterans discharged from military service in September 1971 and subsequently identified as at risk for suicide (306 low risk; 188 high risk). Seventy-one percent (350) of 494 participants completed an extensive qualitative and quantitative interview covering, among other topics, physical conditions, psychiatric conditions, substance use, barriers to care, facilitators of care, and quality of care. Barriers, satisfaction, and effect of the experience were compared by type of condition and suicidal risk category using χ2 analysis and Fisher's as appropriate. The analysis is based on 257 interviews (73 percent) with qualitative data transcribed thus far. Results: Of the 195 patients with self-reported health conditions, 76 (39.0 percent) and 45 (23.1 percent) expressed system-based barriers to care, respectively. The group at higher risk of suicide was significantly more likely (p<0.01) to report patient-based barriers to care and system-based barriers to care (p<0.05), and more likely (p<0.05) to experience negative effects of the care-seeking experience. Both self-perceived and system-based barriers to care pose obstacles for patients at high risk of suicide. Targeted interventions are required to reach out to these patients to address needs for care currently unmet by the health care system and to reduce negative effects of the health care experience.
Jeffrey Muldoon, Jennifer L. Kisamore, Eric W. Liguori, I.M. Jawahar and Joshua Bendickson
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether job meaning and job autonomy moderate the relationship between emotional stability and organizational citizenship behavior.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether job meaning and job autonomy moderate the relationship between emotional stability and organizational citizenship behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 190 supervisor-subordinate dyads completed three surveys. Linear and curvilinear analyses were used to assess the data.
Findings
Results indicate emotionally stable individuals are more likely to perform OCBOs in low autonomy and/or low job meaning situations than are employees low in emotional stability. Conversely, individuals who have high autonomy and/or high meaning jobs are likely to engage in OCBOs regardless of personality.
Research limitations/implications
As a survey-based research study, causal conclusions cannot be drawn from this study. Results suggest future research on the personality-performance relationship needs to more closely consider context and the potential for curvilinear relationships.
Practical implications
Managers should note that personality may significantly affect job performance and consider placing individuals in jobs that best align with their personality strengths.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on factors which may have led to erroneous conclusions in the extant literature that the relationship between personality and performance is weak.
Details
Keywords
Leighann C. Neilson and Robert Mittelman
Purpose – Child sponsorship programs have been accused of representing children from the developing world in a manner described as “development porn” in their marketing…
Abstract
Purpose – Child sponsorship programs have been accused of representing children from the developing world in a manner described as “development porn” in their marketing communications, and of operating in such a way as to reinforce beliefs that people in the global South are powerless, dependent on help from the developed North. This research takes a critical, historical approach to investigating the marketing practices of Plan Canada, a subsidiary of one of the oldest and largest child sponsorship-based development agencies, in order to evaluate outcomes of charitable giving at the social and ideological level.
Methodology – We adopted a consumer storytelling theoretical lens to conduct narrative analysis of letters written by donors upon their return from visiting their sponsor children.
Findings – We reveal how even if aid recipients are treated with respect in marketing communications, ideological outcomes which reinforce Northern hegemony may still result.
Social implications – Although charitable acts by individuals are commonly encouraged and lauded, marketers may play a role in perpetuating negative outcomes that result from this consumer action, such as reinforcing notions of cultural difference and superiority.
Originality/value of paper – Only a few researchers have investigated the social and ideological outcomes of charitable giving. We investigate the outcome of charitable giving on the donor and recipient communities and relationship between these communities. Models of charitable giving need to be revised to include these outcomes.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to explore the advantages equity capitalization programs based on retained earnings from patronage sources may provide cooperatives and their patrons…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the advantages equity capitalization programs based on retained earnings from patronage sources may provide cooperatives and their patrons that traditional equity financing methods do not offer.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on a model used to assess patron benefits from a cooperative that is financed by a combination of allocated equity acquired from noncash patronage refunds and unallocated equity acquired from retained earnings. The level of patron benefits is represented by the present value of the after-tax cash flow patrons receive from the cooperative, and the model is used to determine the combination of noncash patronage refunds and retained earnings that provides the greatest present value given the levels of those parameters that affect capitalization of the cooperative and the distribution of cash benefits to patrons.
Findings
The analysis demonstrates that only pure plans, i.e., plans based entirely on retained patronage refunds or entirely on retained earnings, will be associated with the greatest present value for any particular set of parameter values. Cooperatives that are characterized by low marginal tax rates and growth rates and whose patrons are characterized by high marginal tax rates and discount rates are those most likely to benefit from equity capitalization programs based on retained earnings.
Research limitations/implications
The model is based on the assumption of constant parameter values and does not account for the existence of nonpatronage income.
Practical implications
A useful extension of this work would be the development of a decision aid capable of generating basic operating statement and balance sheet data and enabling cooperative decision makers to conduct experiments concerning alternative financing strategies based on retained earnings.
Originality/value
The analysis contained in this paper is based on an explicit model and extends across a broad range of values for various parameters that affect the level, timing, and present value of cash distributions from cooperatives. Because the cash flow received by patrons is determined after the cooperative’s planned equity growth is met, cash flow comparisons are equivalent with respect to the capital provided the cooperative. In addition, the revolving period is endogenously determined.
Details