Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teacher Hiring and Fit Within A Diverse School District

ABSTRACT Research examining the teacher hiring process is scant and has largely ignored the principal’s role. This qualitative, comparative case study uses Person-Environment fit to explore teacher hiring in two high schools with divergent characteristics in the same district. Findings suggest that fit is a dynamic quality, depending on school context and evolving through the phases of hiring and into job performance. Moreover, the dynamic of fit hinges on teacher experience and subject area taught. Awareness of varied trajectories of fit are crucial to the ability of the principal to design an approach to hiring appropriate to her or his school.
Analysis of Teacher-written Corrective Feedback in Second Language Writing Pedagogy in Secondary Schools, Bulilima, Zimbabwe

This study investigated the teachers’ practice on written corrective feedback as well as the students’ response to it in a bid to find practical solutions to the problem of low performance in English composition writing at “O” Level in Zimbabwe. The study sought to find out the nature of corrective feedback that “O” Level students get from their composition teachers and how these students respond to it. In this qualitative research, seven informants (“O” Level students) were interviewed; the researchers used a semi-structured interview schedule to address them and their English exercise books were also analyzed using a document analysis guide designed by the researchers. The study concluded that the composition teacher marked the compositions thoroughly highlighting most of the errors for students’ benefit. The teacher’s focus on feedback was in line with the syllabus demands. The teacher also satisfied the Feed Up, Feed Back and the Feed Forward types of effective feedback. She had strength on mark allocation which acted as student guide to their stance in composition writing. However, although the students largely benefited from the teacher’s corrective written feedback as well as the oral feedback, some of them failed to get the maximum benefit because they could not understand the correction codes. It is therefore imperative for composition teachers to provide students with a correction code elaboration whenever using a marking correction code.
The impact of different forms of organisational support and work–life balance in Chile and Colombia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how family-supportive supervisor behaviour (FSSB) and organisational work–family policies (WFP) influence turnover intention (TI), satisfaction with work–family balance (SWFB) and prosocial motivation (PSM) in employees in organisations in the private sector in Colombia and Chile. It also explores whether a family -friendly organisational culture (FFOC) moderates this relationship. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire (the International Family-Responsible Employed Index) was used to survey 486 employees (Chile: 255, Colombia: 231). The questionnaire consisted of three main sections: independent variables (WFP, FSSB, (FFOC and individual characteristics); dependent variables (organisational outcomes of TI, loyalty and commitment, and individual outcomes of health, WFE, SWFB, PSM and intrinsic); and demographic indicators. Structural equation modelling was used to test the possibility of comparing both countries and the model proposed. Findings Results show a negative relationship between FSSB and TI, and a positive relationship between FSSB and SWFB and PSM. There are no significant differences among countries, except when looking at PSM. FFOC moderates the relationships between FSSB and TI, between policies and FSSB and SWFB and between FSSB and PSM. It also has a direct effect on PSM. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to offer comparative data from organisations and managers in Latin American countries at the work–family interface. It also contributes to the literature, offering results partly consistent with studies in Anglo–Saxon countries.
Estimating Environmental Contamination and Element Deposition at an Urban Area of Central Italy

Air quality monitoring in many urban areas is based on sophisticated and costly equipment to check for the respect of environmental quality standards, but capillary monitoring is often not feasible due to economic constraints. In such cases, the use of living organisms may be very useful to complement the sparse data obtained by physico-chemical measurements. In this study, the bioaccumulation of selected trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, Zn) in lichen samples (Evernia prunastri) transplanted for three months at an urban area of Central Italy was investigated to assess the main environmental contaminants, their sources, and the fluxes of element depositions. The results pinpointed Cu and Sb as the main contaminants and suggested a common origin for these two elements from non-exhaust sources of vehicular traffic, such as brake abrasion. Most study sites were, however, found to be subjected to low or moderate environmental contamination, and the lowest contamination corresponded to the main green areas, confirming the important protective role of urban forests against air pollution. Ranges of estimated mean annual element deposition rates in the study area were similar or lower than those reported for other urban areas.
Social and Dimensional Comparisons in the Formation of German Students’ Language Self-Concepts

Abstract This study extended the internal/external reference model to multiple languages including students’ language of instruction, first foreign language, and second foreign language. We examined whether social and dimensional comparisons play similar roles in the formation of students’ self-concept related to different languages and whether dimensional comparisons result in contrast or assimilation effects. All students had German as the language of instruction and English as the first foreign language. Students were divided into a subsample (N = 487) learning French as a second foreign language and a subsample (N = 481) learning Latin. Invariance tests demonstrated that the achievement–self-concept relations were similar across the subsamples, but interesting group differences became apparent when analyzing the French and Latin subsamples separately.
Assessing potential for learning: A factor-analytic study of a performance-based identification protocol for young, socioeconomically disadvantaged high-ability learners

This factor-analytic study of a performance-based identification protocol for young, socioeconomically disadvantaged high-ability learners investigated the issues of reliability, test equivalency, and bias. A group-administered, performance-based set of instruments was designed in a joint project between the Center for Gifted Education and the State Department of Education, South Carolina. These instruments went through a series of processes of review and refinement leading to their use in a field test in fall 1999. The outcome of this field test administration is the subject of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in this study. Reliability of the instruments was established on the pilot study data which were gathered from a heterogeneous sample of 1425 students. Statistical anchoring using linear transforms was used to address the status of the two forms of the test instruments. The Cronbach alpha values ranged from 0.71 to 0.78, values lower than desirable for psychometric instruments, but acceptable in view of the special purpose of this test. Exploratory factor analysis on a randomly chosen half of the field test data (N = 1800 students) lead to structural equation modeling of both a priori and exploratory factors on the second half of the field test data. The exploratory factor analyses did not support a construct of high-ability learning. All emergent factors accounted for less than a majority of the variance in the relevant sub-samples. Nonetheless, the structural equation models demonstrated that there was no evidence of bias on the basis of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Project STAR did indeed exhibit the ability to discriminate in an unbiased way among young, socioeconomically disadvantaged high-ability learners. The overriding implication of this study is that performance-based identification should be utilized as part of the testing battery available to school districts seeking to assess potential for learning. At the same time, the failure to detect a strong factorial
Traits and social stereotypes : efficiency differences in social information processing

Research on the associative structure of social stereotypes and trait-defined categories has shown that stereotypes are associatively richer, more visual, and more distinctive (Andersen & Klatzky, 1987). We hypothesized that stereotypes might also operate more efficiently than trait-defined categories in social information processing. Participants were presented with sentences pairing either a stereotype or a trait label with an overt act or an internal state. Participants judged whether or not the designated target person would be likely to do or to experience what was described in the sentence. As predicted, participants judged the stereotype sentences significantly more quickly than the trait sentences. An incidental recall test of memory for the taiget terms, cued by the acts and states, showed that participants were also better able to remember the stereotypes than the traits.
Pathways towards sustainability in manufacturing organizations: Empirical evidence on the role of green human resource management

Green human resource management (HRM) practices can help organizations align their business strategies with the environment. Anchored in the resource‐based view of the firm, this study examines the influence of green HRM practices on sustainability using cross‐sectional data obtained from 112 large manufacturing firms in Malaysia. The results show that green recruitment and green training have positive effects on sustainability. However, green analysis and job description, green selection, green performance assessment, and green reward were not found to have any significant influence on sustainability. The model presented in this paper offers useful insights into the positive role of green HRM in the sustainability of manufacturing firms, and as previous studies exploring the link between green HRM and sustainability using empirical data from Malaysian manufacturing firms are scarce, this research is of significant importance for scholars and practitioners. The scope of this study focuses on emerging economies with a limited number of variables that are contextual and specific to the Malaysian economy. Future research could explore the relationship between green HRM and other variables that may contribute to the present framework in other contexts. Future studies may also consider each dimension of green HRM, or indeed other elements of green HRM, in relation to the different aspects of sustainability.
Net Neutrality and Mobile App Innovation in Denmark and Netherlands 2010–2016

Abstract Net neutrality or “Open Internet” rulemaking has been ongoing for more than a decade. Some 50 nations have adopted formal rules including the US (then repealed), the European Union, India, and many countries in Latin America. Among other arguments, it is asserted that net neutrality rules are necessary for application innovation. While the focus for policymakers has largely been to make rules, there is less attention on how to measure the impact of such rules and how well they achieve their innovation goals. The article summaries a specific research investigation to what degree the introduction of rules in a given country stimulates innovation in that country’s mobile app ecosystem. The focus in on mobile networks because it allowed the most consistent data across countries. The study covered 53 countries, their net neutrality policies (or lack thereof), and the results to the respective mobile application ecosystems of the countries adopting rules between the period of 2010–2016. This investigation tests the proposition that countries which adopt net neutrality rules should experience an increase in mobile app development innovation within their national economy. To test this, a statistical methodology was developed based upon measuring the number of locally developed mobile apps in the country for relevant periods before and after rules are imposed and the corresponding app downloads, usage, and revenue. Measurement was conducted with two independent toolsets and adjusted for the sophistication and penetration of advanced mobile networks in the country. To make more meaningful comparisons and avoid inevitable heterogeneity across the countries, the investigation focuses on two similar countries with different rules, Denmark with soft rules (self-regulation) and Netherlands with hard rules (legislation). The study reviewed the leading theories of innovation as well as the foundational papers in net neutrality to explain the observed discrepancies. The research finds significant statistical support for “soft” net neutrality measures adopted on a voluntary basis. Hard rules adopted through legislation and regulation were not associated with greater mobile app development for the given country. Denmark increased in local mobile app development while Netherlands decreased. Additionally, the explosion of mobile apps from countries with no net neutrality rules and the general dearth of mobile apps from countries which have had hard rules for years runs counter to expected results. This suggests that policymakers revisit their assumptions and expectations for net neutrality policy.
The local impact of increased numbers of state employees on start-ups in Norway

ABSTRACT The purpose of the article is to assess the impact of concentrations of state employees on local growth and development. Local multiplier effect theory suggests that the increased local demand for state employees, especially highly skilled employees, would stimulate the local supply of goods and services, and hence local development. However, other theories of regional development have shown that factors such as having a university or city size may also explain why some municipalities with a high percentage of state employees grow faster than others. Following a multilevel panel data analysis of Norwegian municipalities, the author found that the percentage of state employees did not have any effect on local development, measured in terms of the relative number of start-up firms or population growth. While there was a small positive effect of state employees in the bivariate model, state employees did not have a significant effect on local development when controlling for relevant factors such as municipality size or the presence of universities. The author concludes that the relocation of state employees may be a rather limited tool for stimulating local and regional growth and, if applied, policymakers should consider how the relocation could stimulate place-sensitive development in individual municipalities.
Interlocal Agreements and Multilateral Institutions: Mitigating Coordination Problems of Self-Organized Collective Action

ABSTRACT In the United States, competition among cities for economic development tends to be the norm. Cities are also collaborating more to improve their economic advantage. However, transaction costs inhibit various of interlocal agreements from being formed. This study examines the role of multilateral institutions in facilitating interlocal agreements for economic development. An analysis of survey data collected from city governments in eleven US metropolitan areas highlights the importance of regional institutions in moderating the effect of coordination problems on the formation of developmental joint venture agreements. The findings complement extant research on the governance mechanisms that mitigate transaction costs of collective action.
Structuring a Residential Satisfaction Model for Predictive Personalization in Mass Social Housing

Ensuring access to quality social housing is a major challenge for developing countries. The problems of standardized mass housing are well-known. However, this type of provision is ubiquitously used for its advantages when addressing pressing shortages, often resulting in significant mismatches between the attributes of the housing and the requirements of the dwellers. This multidisciplinary study explores linkages between personalized development and residential satisfaction towards informing a mass personalization approach to social housing. In specific, it presents a model that formalizes this relationship using expectancy disconfirmation theory and field information. A housing survey was conducted in four estates located in Concepción, southern Chile, and complemented with environmental performance data generated with simulation software. The analysis of the results suggests that the relationship between occupants and providers (i.e., personalization as a service) can influence the build-up of expectations, while the capacity of the dwellings to meet the requirements of different households (i.e., personalization as a product) can have a significant impact on satisfaction. These outcomes are formalized with a model that acknowledges these links at different stages of occupancy and, therefore, can be used to inform the personalized development of mass social housing.
The Relationship between Oil Prices, Oil Imports and Income Level in Turkey: Evidence from Fourier Approximation

The study aims at examining possible impacts of the changes in oil prices and income on crude oil import demand in Turkey using monthly data between 1996:1 and 2017:9. To this end, the study uses a recently introduced Fourier Shin cointegration test of Tsong et al. (2016) and Fourier Toda&#8211;Yamamoto approach of Nazlioglu et al. (2016). The study also constructs error correction model to estimate the short&#8208;run parameters. Our empirical findings detect that oil imports are more sensitive to changes in income relative to changes in oil price in the long&#8208;run. Furthermore, 81.4 per cent of the disequilibrium of the shocks converges back to the equilibrium level within the next month. Also, the causality test results provide an evidence for conservation hypothesis in Turkey. Thus, energy conservative policies do not have adverse effects on real economic activity. These results include policy implications for future prospects.
Ratings of Affective and Non-Affective Aspects of German Idioms in Second Language Processing

AbstractIn this paper psycholinguistic and emotional properties of 619 German idiomatic expressions are explored. The list of idiomatic expressions has been adapted from Citron et al. (2015), who have used it with German native speakers. In our study the same idioms were evaluated by Slovene learners of German as a foreign language. Our participants rated each idiom for emotional valence, emotional arousal, familiarity, concreteness, ambiguity (literality), semantic transparency and figurativeness. They also had the task to describe the meaning of the German idioms and to rate their confidence about the attributed meaning. The aims of our study were (1) to provide descriptive norms for psycholinguistic and affective properties of a large set of idioms in German as a second language, (2) to explore the relationships between psycholinguistic and affective properties of idioms in German as a second language, and (3) to compare the ratings of the German native speakers studied in Citron et al. (2015) with the ratings of the Slovene second language learners from our study. On one hand, the results of the Slovene participants show many similarities with those of of the German native speakers, on the other hand, they show a slight positivity bias and slightly shallower emotional processing of the German idioms. Our study provides data that could be useful for future studies investigating the role of affect in figurative language in a second language setting (methodology, translation science, language technology).
Caregiver Choice and Caregiver Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study of Irish Spousal Dementia Caregivers

Background The perception of choice in becoming a caregiver may impact on caregiver psychological and physical health. We determined the proportion of spousal dementia caregivers who felt they had a choice, and examined whether lack of choice in taking up the caregiving role and the perceived degree of choice in caregiving predicted caregiver health and wellbeing and care-recipient placement in long-term care at 1-year follow-up. Methods We performed secondary analyses of data from DeStress, a longitudinal study of 251 spousal dementia caregivers in Ireland. We used multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses to examine whether lack of choice (a dichotomous item) and/or the perceived degree of choice (a 9-point scale) at baseline predicted caregiver health (number of chronic health conditions; self-reported health) and wellbeing (e.g., burden, anxiety, depression, stress, and positive aspects of caregiving) and care status (continued care at home or placement in long-term care) at follow-up. Results The vast majority of caregivers (82%) reported that they had no choice in taking up the caregiving role. Nevertheless, nearly three-quarters (74%) responded above the midpoint on the rating scale (Mean = 6.82, SD = 3.22; Median = 9; Mode = 9), indicating they provided care voluntarily. Caregivers who reported a greater degree of choice were more likely to still be providing care at home at follow-up and to identify benefits from providing care. Neither choice nor degree of choice predicted any other caregiver outcomes. Conclusion For the vast majority of spousal dementia caregivers, taking up the caregiving role is not perceived as a choice; yet, most report performing this role voluntarily. Thus, facilitating greater choice may not necessarily diminish the key contribution family caregivers make to the care system. Although we found no evidence that caregiver choice predicted more positive caregiver health and wellbeing, the perception of choice is important in and of itself, and may benefit caregivers by facilitating the identification of positive aspects of care and be a factor in delaying care-recipient placement in long-term care. Future research should be especially mindful of how caregiver choice is assessed and how this may affect the resulting prevalence of choice.