bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Political Cynicism and National Siege Mentality on the Internalization of an Anti-European Sentiment
Authors: Šram Zlatko
Published: February 2018

This paper aims to provide an insight into the political-psychological understanding of an attitudinal construct labeled anti-European sentiment. A structural equation model for prediction was developed and evaluated by using full information mximum likelihood estimates obtained from LISREL 8.52 computer program. Assumption was that both political cynicism and national siege mentality would have an effect on anti-European sentiment. The data reported here were obtained by standard survey methods on the sample of adult population in Croatia (N=533). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to explore factorial and construct validity of the measures used in this research. CFA yielded unidimensional construct measurements with acceptable fit indices. Structural model indicated that exogenous variables (political cynicism, national siege mentality) have significant effects on the anti-European sentiment used as an endogenous (dependent) variable. Goodness-of-fit indices suggested acceptable fit of the model (RMSEA=0.07, CFI=0.97, NNFI=0.97, SRMR=0.05). Given the amount of variance of anti-European sentiment, it was showen that political cynicism and national siege mentality have strong predictive validity for anti-European sentiment (43 percent of the variance was explained by the structural model). In order to explain the interactions among the variables investigated, the author proposed the distrust-threat model of political hostility.
Weaknesses of Servqual whıch Resources from Cognıtıve Dıfferences
Authors: Özkan Ahmet Hakan
Published: February 2018

The quality standards of service industry are strictly customer-centric. Their expectations shape the service designs and their satisfaction shapes the competititon. SERVQUAL measures the service quality and it is one of the most important factors that shapes the service industry. SERVQUAL focuses on the perceptions of the customers, and if the perceptions of the customers are rational, it provides reliable results. But the cognitive differences may cause irrationality or perceptional differences, because of personality disorders or cultural differences. Thus, some common cognitive differences are the weaknesses of SERVQUAL. These weaknesses are elaborated with this study.
Leadership Styles, Organisational Culture and Learning Organisational Capability in Education Industry: Evidence from Egypt
Authors: Dajani Maha Ahmed Zaki , Mohamad Mohamed Saad
Published: February 2018

We aim in this study to explore the interaction between three constructs: leadership style, organisational culture, and organisational learning capacity.  In addition to that, we investigated the validity of this trio relationship in both public and private Egyptian universities situated in Greater Cairo area. A quota sampling procedure was used to recruit 298 academicians - 186 from public universities and 112 from private universities. Significant correlations were obtained between transformational and transactional leadership style and organisational learning capacity dimensions. However, the moderating effect of organisational culture in the relationship between leadership styles and organisational learning capacity was not reported. Lastly, researchers recommended to Egyptian leaders and decision makers the leadership style and culture type that may enhance the learning capacity in higher education institutes.
Religiosity, Job Status and Whistle-Blowing: Evidence from Micro-Finance Companies
Authors: Asamoah Emmanuel Selase
Published: February 2018

We investigate the effect of religiosity and job status on whistle-blowing among employees of micro finance companies in Ga-East district of Ghana. The intellectual dimension of religiosity informs and produces high sense of morality in an individual thus influencing whistle-blowing. Additionally, religion create the platform for building belief in certain rules and regulations as right or as wrong. Using quantitative approach for analyzing the effect between independent variables (job status and religiosity) on the dependent variable (whistle-blowing), we show that though religiosity and job status can influence whistle-blowing, however in this study, the magnitude is negligible and perhaps other variables in concert with religiosity and job status may influence whistle-blowing activities in an organization. We conclude that that whistleblowing generally in the Ghanaian setting is yet to receive high prominence due to the general belief of lack of protection for persons who come out to expose wrongdoings and the general fear of harassment, victimization and loss of job by the whistle-blower.
Are Crashes Good or Bad for NASCAR Sponsors?
Authors: Lee Sanghak
Published: February 2018

The purpose of the present research is to examine the influence of accidents (i.e., car crashes) on sponsorship effects (i.e., brand recall and attitude toward the brand) in NASCAR racing. An experiment was conducted with two types of experimental videos, one with a crash and the other with no crash. A total of 239 university students were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The research participants watched one of two types of videos and responded to a questionnaire. The results concluded that watching a crash increased brand recall, but it did not have an impact on attitude toward the brand. Another analysis revealed, however, experiment participants who watched a crash formed favorable attitude toward the sponsoring brand if their sensation seeking and sport fandom were high. These findings implies that an accident actually has positive impacts on sponsorship effects such as brand awareness and attitude toward the brand.
Creative Accounting Practices at Satyam Computers Limited: A Case Study of India’s Enron
Authors: Bhasin Madan Lal
Published: February 2018

Satyam Computers were once the crown jewel of Indian IT industry, however, the debacle of Satyam raised a debate about the role of CEO in driving a company to the heights of success and its relation with the board members and core committees. The scam brought to the light the role of corporate governance (CG) in shaping the protocols related to the working of audit committees and duties of board members. The Satyam scam was a jolt to the market, especially to Satyam stockholders.  This paper attempts an in-depth analysis of India’s Enron, Satyam Computer’s “creative-accounting” scandal. In public companies, this type of ‘creative’ accounting leading to fraud and investigations are, therefore, launched by the various governmental oversight agencies. The accounting fraud committed by the founders of Satyam in 2009 is a testament to the fact that “the science of conduct is swayed in large by human greed, ambition, and hunger for power, money, fame and glory.” Scandals have proved that “there is an urgent need for good conduct based on strong corporate governance, ethics and accounting & auditing standards.” The Satyam scandal highlights the importance of securities laws and CG in emerging markets. Indeed, Satyam fraud “spurred the government of India to tighten the CG norms to prevent recurrence of similar frauds in future.” Thus, major financial reporting frauds need to be studied for ‘lessons-learned’ and ‘strategies-to-follow’ to reduce the incidents of such frauds in the future. The increasing rate of white-collar crimes “demands stiff penalties, exemplary punishments, and effective enforcement of law with the right spirit.”
 
A Comparative Study on Factors Affecting Consumer’s Choice on Purchasing a Cellular Phone across India & US
Authors: Samanta Jyotirmoy , Banerjee Neelotpaul
Published: February 2018

In the hasty budding plethoric technological space, mobile technology & devices play a noteworthy role. It’s imperative to take a cognizance of the fact that mobile market is contributing substantially to global economy as well as to an individual nation’s economy. Mobile devices market is predominantly consumer driven & this research work emphasizes on cross national comparative study among mobile consumers across India & USA. The study focuses on a thirty leading factors that influence consumers principally in their buying decision making process. An empirical survey of four hundred consumers was conducted across India & USA using a questionnaire. The study reveals that ‘Price’ is the pivotal factor that an Indian consumer considers at first place whereas an American buyer stresses upon ‘Brand Name’. Furthermore, it unveils that a US consumer looks for ‘EMI options’ for buying while Indian consumers concentrates on ‘Design of the device’. This study will aid mobile manufacturing firms to frame effective marketing strategies & help marketing managers to design effective marketing communications.
Risk Preferences and Obesity: A Behavioral Economics Approach
Authors: Srinivas Sumati
Published: February 2018

Risk aversion has been shown to have a negative effect on adverse health behaviors such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. However, the significance and sign of the effect of risk aversion on the tendency to be obese has not been established in previous research. Additionally, the knowledge of specific health risks arising from obesity has been shown to have a significant negative effect on obesity, although the interaction between health risk awareness and risk aversion has not been studied. This paper fills this gap in the literature by studying the relationship between risk preferences, health risk knowledge and the occurrence of obesity within. In this paper, data from a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States is used to determine the significance of measures for both risk aversion and health risk knowledge on the likelihood of obesity, while controlling for the usual variables shown by previous research to be predictors for obesity. Risk aversion is found to have a positive and significant effect on obesity within the general population; however, this effect loses its significance within sub-populations who exhibit awareness of the health risk from obesity, as measured by two different proxy variables.
Institutions and Development: Are some more critical than others? – A Panel Study of 50 countries from 2002 to 2011
Authors: Okpokwasili Bertram C.I.
Published: February 2018

Strong institutions are often viewed as part answers to Africa’s development dilemma. But given the resource constraints of many African countries, one would need to be selective as to which institution or institutions to commit scarce resources. An attempt to strengthen all institutions at the same time could be rather daunting. And many questions would remain. First, what is the relative importance of one institution to another? Second, whether all institutions exert an equal impact on comprehensive development as they do on economic growth. This paper on Institutions and Development, first published in 2007   tries to answer these questions. It has been modified (in the 2016 version) for three reasons- 1, to bring the data up to date, 2, to use a different and possibly more accurate econometric model (fixed effect) for the analysis and 3, to assess if the same institutions remain more critical than others, as observed in 2007. Even though the rule of law institution would seem, in this revised version, to have a slightly better impact on GDP/Capita, government effectiveness is still dominant in both non-differenced and differenced models, especially when comprehensive development is considered.

 
Role of Accounting Information in Assessing Stock Prices in Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Nazmul , Haque Hasan Md. Mahmood Ul
Published: February 2018

This paper seeks to explore the relationship between share prices and the value-relevance of accounting information. The basic Ohlson (1995) valuation model has been used to conduct the research using a sample of 93 companies from six broad industries listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Bangladesh. The adjusted (R²) and estimated regression coefficients of accounting variables are tested in this model. Results report that both Earnings per Share (EPS) and Book Value (BV) have influential power in determining share prices. But, results of the individual effect of EPS and BV to determining share price indicate that the EPS played an increasingly considerable role in projecting share prices than that of BV. Thus, EPS has become more informative to equity investors in predicting the share prices.
Analysis of Fiji’s Export and Its Impact on Economic Growth
Authors: Raj Shivneil Kumar , Chand Priteshni Pratibha
Published: February 2018

Exports are vital for Fiji’s economy as it contributes significantly to its gross domestic product (GDP) and economic growth. The export data over the years show very slow growth and is gradually increasing. Fiji’s GDP data show that GDP is gradually increasing. Thus, Fiji’s economic growth is also increasing at a steady rate. This study aims to measure the relationship between exports and economic growth in Fiji. A regression analysis on data collected for Fiji from 2000-2015 shows that there is a strong positive relationship between exports and economic growth. Thus, when exports increase, economic growth also increases. Potential sectors that can be further developed to boost Fiji’s exports are sugar, garment, tourism and agriculture. The government should restrict imports through import quotas, tariffs and embargoes and give subsidies and tax incentives to potential export sectors to boost domestic production and increase exports. The government’s motive is to increase export incentives and promote Fiji made products both locally and overseas. Thus, this leads to an increase in exports, improves the trade balance and economic growth. This research article was undertaken to carry out research to investigate the link between Fiji’s export and economic growth and highlight ways and potential sectors to increase Fiji’s export and reduce imports.
A prospect theory perspective on terrorism
Authors: Du Bois Cind
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a new approach for the study of terrorist behaviour and argues that a framework based on Prospect Theory can provide novel, useful insights into the understanding of the terrorist mind-set. Such a framework allows different pathways to become a terrorist and although individual decisions are studied, the model also takes into account environmental factors. By changing these environmental factors and/or framing the choice differently, PT provides insights as to how the terrorist group and/or a charismatic leader can influence the individual’s whether or not to turn to terrorism.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: In the context of ‘String of Pearl Strategy
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Salman , Asmi Fahad , Ali Madad , Rahman Md. Mashiur , Abbas Syed Mudasser
Published: February 2018

This paper narrates china’s investment in South East Asian region and the up-gradation and construction of ‘Deep Sea Ports’ in countries such as Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. China’s escalating growth of its naval bases and trade influences in Indian and South Chinese Ocean is globally coined as China’s ‘String of Pearls Strategy’ (SOPs). Recently China has initiated $46 Billion projects in Pakistan, connecting deep sea Port of Gwadar with Kashgar, which is mostly discussed in the literature as ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ (CPEC). This corridor is considered to be a game changer in South Asia’s emerging economies. The current document is an approach of descriptive exploratory study to highlight the importance of String of Pearl theory in the strategic manner, the China’s initiative of economic corridor and rapid re-structuring of the silk roads for the trade purpose. CPEC’s investment in Pakistan and the political and power dynamics in the South East Asia among countries in terms of politics, internal situation and inter-country alliances. The current document highlighted and discussed the policies which Pakistan can be predicted to be followed to improve the effectiveness of CPEC.
Essential Skills for Project Stakeholders Identification: Sustainability Perspective
Authors: Rahman Md. Mashiur , Ali Madad , Malik Naveed , Ahmad Muhammad Salman , Asmi Fahad
Published: February 2018

In every life cycle of the project there are numerous people or organizations involved either directly or indirectly. While these type of people and organizations involved are called stakeholders and these may include the project team, client or customer, community, environment, suppliers, government. Stakeholders contribute and share their experiences, knowledge, and insights to support the project throughout its life cycle and therefore it is crucial to capture their input. However, before initiation of the project, stakeholders need to be identified. Following the fact that there are strategies and processes for stakeholder identification, it is not clear what skills are needed to employ those strategies for stakeholder identification. These skills are exceedingly important to have because in today's corporate world, the project team must be flexible in every aspect of their job and be able to complement their skills for the success of stakeholder identification. Using literature review, this paper seeks to describe the skills of project leader needed to identify the project team and the external stakeholders. Inductive approach was followed in this study and data was collected qualitatively using secondary sources. There are two essential skills i.e. relationship building skills and communication skills for internal stakeholders and four major skills i.e. communication skills, people skills, intellectual skills and conceptual skills for external stakeholders are identified for the identification of project stakeholders through literature review considering the sustainability issues in the project management.
Cultural Anthropology Study on Historical Narrative and Jade Mythological Concepts in Records of the Great Historian: Annals of the First Emperor of Qin
Authors: WU JUAN , LONG MENGYAO
Published: February 2018

This paper takes Records of the Great Historian: Annals of the First Emperor of Qin, an essential historical narrative at the dawning of Chinese civilization, as a case to illustrate the causality of historical incidents and the underlying mythological concepts, reveal the underlying mythological concepts that dominate the ritual behaviors and narrative expressions, and highlight the prototype function of mythological concepts in the man’s behavior and ideology construction. Once the prototype of certain cultural community is revealed, the evolvement track of its historical cultural texts and the operative relations between coding and re-coding will be better understood.
Challenges and Negative Effects of Divorce among Muslim Women in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Abdul Hamid Rafatu , Sanusi Imam Abdul Rahim Muhammad
Published: February 2018

The alarming explosion of divorce in our present times is a cause of great concern. In fact the divorce rate in Northern Nigeria is high and this is scandalous. The mention of the word (Talaq) divorce has now become so cheap that in some marriages, every argument futures this word, either the husband threatens with it or the wife demands it. Hence women are married and divorce at will for minor reasons. This paper is therefore an attempt to highlight some of the causes of rampant divorce and its negative impact on Muslim women in the northern part of Nigeria. Some Shari’ah court cases were also examined in other to find out whether the Judiciary is invulnerable to the problem of divorce among Muslim women in Northern Nigeria. The study reveals that the challenges and negative effects of divorce are usually much stronger on the woman and her off springs than the man. These ranges from psychological trauma, immoral behaviour, Economic hardship, denial of custody, etc.  Using descriptive and analytical methods, this paper interprets Islamic teachings as enshrined in the Qur’an and Sunnah with a view to proffering Islamic solutions on them. The paper recommends among other things, that parents and intending spouses should endeavour to find out the level of Islamic knowledge, habit, character of suitors/wives to be, prior to the marriage in order to prepare adequately for a successful association.
Ecological Input Assessment and EIA: A Study On EIA Report For Quarry Projects
Authors: Wahid Rahimah
Published: February 2018

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was introduced as mandatory in Malaysia since 1988 as a measurement tool to achieve sustainable development. This study attempts to assess the EIA reports for quarrying activities which have been submitted to the Department of Environment. There are 19 scheduled activities requiring an EIA prior to project implementation. As the ecological input is an important part of the EIA report, these studies have tried to analyze the ecological quality of input in four EIA reports prepared for quarrying activities in Peninsular Malaysia. The results show that all aspects of the report comply with the review and sampling methods although there are deficiencies which may be remedied. Four EIA reports show weaknesses in the acquisition of the latest available data. For the preparation of the existing environment sections, the consultants do not feel inclined to make sampling on rock habitat, aquatic habitats and flora and fauna. The insulation measures suggested are not only exhaustive but also ineffective. The residual impact on the ecology is briefly mentioned in all the reports. Generally these EIA reports are found to have many shortcomings in the quality of ecological input and can be improved. Thus, a suggestion with a comprehensive approach and the cooperation of all parties is needed to sustain and complement the EIA.
Developing Ceramic Textured Matt Glazes Using Omani Plant Ash: The Contributions of Art Education Teachers
Authors: ALMAMARI BADAR
Published: February 2018

It is widely known that ready-made glazes are hugely expensive, in spite of their widespread availability in Oman. Most students of ceramic art, at various levels of education, depend on foreign materials rather than local materials, which has resulted in high production costs. As an environmentally diverse country, Oman has great potential to take advantage of local crop waste plant waste by using it to make attractive ceramic glazes. Ann experimental study conducted at the ceramic studio in Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) led to the development of some excellent recipes for ceramic glazes using 20% to 30% ash. This study has helped to convert Omani plant waste into textured matt ceramic glazes, which are otherwise expensive to procure for educational and commercial purposes.
Indonesian Traditional Toys and the Development of Batik Motifs
Authors: Indrayana Bagus , Karju Karju , Yustana Prima
Published: February 2018

There is a wide array of traditional toys in Indonesia. In the past, traditional toys played an important role for skill and creativity development of children. Today, the position of traditional toys in the society is displaced by toys from large-scale manufacturers. Given the critical role of traditional toys for children’s motoric and social development, there is a need to develop media that can be used to promote these traditional products and strengthen their position in the public. We propose to use Batik as a way to effectively disseminate and promote traditional toys to the general public. Apart from this, using traditional toys to create new Batik motifs can have an economic value for the producers of Batik, promote Indonesian products and enrich the Indonesian Batik. This study aims to explore the variety of traditional toys, mainly from Klaten and Magelang, in the Central Java province of Indonesia, and use them as the basis for the development of Batik motif creation. This study used Trilogi Keseimbangan (or Harmony Trilogy) aesthetic theory analytical approach that explains the creation of craft consists of the following phases: exploration, design, and materialization. The creation method in this study adopts Tiga Tahap Enam Langkah (Three Phases, Six Steps) method offered in the theory. The finding in the field found that the traditional toys material used in Klaten and Magelang, mostly made from waste wood, plywood, and zinc. The manufacturing process is done manually by two or three craftsmen using a simple technology. The traditional toys are designed by the artisans mostly, although there may be designs from the clients. In addition, we also found that the traditional toys have never been used as a Batik motif. The traditional toys Batik motif presented in this work is researcher’s design. For the purposes of this study, we first research the variety of traditional toys available in the market today in Indonesia. We look into the process of creating these toys. Finally, we develop our own designs with the idea that these designs can be used in the creative industries, particularly in the business of batik.

 
Parental Grief and Marital Issues Aftermath: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mohamed Hussin Nur Atikah , Azman Azlinda
Published: February 2018

The death of a child is difficult to the bereaved parents. Literature had associated the loss with marriage disruption. The issues on that the difficulties to communicate, gender-related coping mechanisms and sexual need were discussed as reasons for bereaved parents to have conflict in their relationship. However there is limited knowledge about this issue. A pilot study has been conducted among six bereaved parents. The bereaved parents were Malaysian Muslim bereaved parents. They were interviewed individually to explore the challenges or conflicts that they had experienced after the death of their child. This study revealed that there were situations which bereaved parents described as having difficulties in their relationship. However, this study also revealed that the mutual understanding and respect to each other are the most of important components for bereaved parents to maintain their relationship post-loss. This study suggested the importance of suggesting couple counselling to bereaved parents after the death of their child.
Mass media and Christian evangelisation in the digital age: Towards sustaining ‘mission’ in the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos
Authors: Danaan Godfrey Naanlang
Published: February 2018

Christianity has heralded a phase of religion that thrives on mission – the mandate to ‘evangelize’ or reach out to people who do not know Jesus Christ, his divinity and work of salvation. By the twentieth century when the global community began to grapple with the realities of modernity – part of which was a corresponding rise of immorality and loss of religious identity, even among traditionally Christian societies – the strategy of ‘mission’ changed to accommodate new ways of transmitting the word of God that would pierce the hearts of humans. In this information regime which offers the print, broadcast and social media platforms the impact of these on the new evangelisation is visible. The Pentecostal churches which are offshoots of the Catholic and Protestant churches have swiftly embraced this mass communication – aided technique for achieving mission thereby attracting unprecedented followership. The Catholic Church - although it imposes a strong, virile and seemingly unshaken image – is losing a huge number of its estimated one billion population, and if its media culture on mission does not change it would be a drawback. Drawing on the growing body of work which compares Catholic approach with Pentecostal mission strategy, the paper examines this distinction, and analyses the approach to the use of the media as a strategy of ‘mission’ in the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos – where Catholicism started in Northern Nigeria. Based on the analysis of mass media use in the Archdiocese, this paper argues that its communication strategy is, undoubtedly, driving the new evangelisation but needs to expand its media infrastructure for optimum results. The paper suggests that ‘mission’ can be strengthened through a robust and media-centred strategy.
A Case Study of Two College Students’ Reading Strategies and Their Writing Styles
Authors: Li Zhanfang
Published: February 2018

The importance of integrating reading and writing has aroused many people’s interest, and how to bridge the gap between input (reading) and output (writing) is regarded as an urgent necessity. However, input does not equal to intake, and to achieve the stage of intake, the reader’s conscious attention to the input is necessary, which is commonly realized in the reading process, either by intensive reading (focus-on-form) or extensive reading (focus-on-meaning). Previous studies put more emphasis on extensive reading, while this study is based on the assumed different effects of reading strategies upon writing styles, that is, intensive reading may guarantee accurate writing and extensive reading may promote fluent writing. Therefore the relationship between two college students’ reading strategies and writing styles is the focus of this study. The research lasts for 16 months (August, 2014 - December, 2015), during which all their journal writing pieces, their term papers, together with their compositions in the final exams, are used as the written data, while materials concerned with their reading strategies are collected by a questionnaire, two interviews, as well as their written self-reflections. Results show that extensive reading with a subconscious focus-on-meaning tends to enhance the fluency of writing while intensive reading with a conscious focus-on-form is more likely to promote the writing accuracy. Findings suggest that production is based on intake, which is the result of either the subconscious or conscious attention to both the language meaning and language form. 
Humanistic Antidotes to Social Media/Cell Phone Addiction in the College Classroom
Authors: Benjamin Elliot
Published: February 2018

This article describes “humanistic antidotes” to offset the widespread social media/cell phone addiction prevalent in current US college classrooms. The inappropriate use of cell phones to engage in social media in college classrooms is a pervasive problem that many college instructors have complained about.  The dominant focus of this article is in humanistic education, in which the author's efforts at getting psychology college students to put away their cell phones, “talk with each other,” and gain awareness of the detrimental effects of social media addiction and narcissism is illustrated.  The methodology utilized in this article is based upon autoethnographic research, where relevant experiences of the researcher are considered to be an informative and fundamental part of the research. The author describes in narrative form his relevant experiences in formulating humanistic antidotes to the excessive and inappropriate use of cell phones to engage in social media, that he encountered in his college psychology teaching. These humanistic antidotes are described as a three-step process: 1) take necessary actions to eliminate as much as possible the inappropriate use of cell phones in the classroom; 2) engage students in required personal/academic small group discussions every class period; 3) include small discussions about the excessive and inappropriate use of cell phones and social media, and require them to write and present project papers of their own choosing, which will likely include some papers on the topic of cell phone/social media addiction, demonstrating their awareness of the detrimental aspects of this pervasive problem.
Channels to Meet Foreign Partners and the Daily Life Adaptation in the Current Society of the Southern Thai Families Whose Members are married to Foreigners
Authors: Phannarat Jirawitt , Phothisane Souneth , Buarapha Homhuan
Published: February 2018

This qualitative research study used a phenomenological approach by studying from 20 families in southern Thailand whose members are married to foreigners (Western and Asian) and live in various provinces in the south, including Songkhla, Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Phuket, Trang, and Chumphon. The data was analyzed by using an interpreting method. The inductive reasoning was performed and the results then were presented in a descriptive analysis. The study results reveal that the channels to meet foreign partners are through working in similar or the same occupations and working in the fields that are likely to meet the foreigners, such as teaching English language in high schools, teaching foreign languages, and studying abroad. The adaptation started early since when they began dating. The results also find that these days the society began to open wide about marriages between Thais and foreigners than in the past. For economic adaptation, most families are moderate to good standing. Due to current economic conditions, higher cost of living affect the family economic condition, they then agree to resolve the problem by reducing unnecessary costs within the family and maintain austerity budget to reduce unnecessary costs in order to have sufficient income for the family. For the cultural adaptation, Thai families whose members are married to foreigners uniquely have positive attitude and openness to ideas and able to exchange ideas with each other when they see things differently. The foreign spouses are also able to accept and learn the southern Thai culture, and at the same time the families are also open to learn the foreign culture.
Implementing Multi-Media as a Pedagogical Tool in an EFL classroom: Benefits and Barriers
Authors: Hashmi N
Published: February 2018

The implementation of computer technologies especially the use of multimedia and internet in Saudi Arabian education system has attracted Arab students a lot. They have shown great interest in using computers technology for foreign language learning because computer technologies have transformed their contemporary society, changing the way they live, work and learn. As a response to such societal transformation, computer technologies have been brought into classrooms where they are considered to be effective in enhancing students learning and addressing certain education problems (McGrail, 2005). The institutions of higher learning in Saudi Arabia have encouraged students and faculty members utilize multi-media and other related technologies for desired learning outcomes. Thus, the role of computers and Internet in language instruction has now become an important tool in an EFL classroom Saudi Arabia.
Research on the Application of Traditional Embroidery Technology in Modern Jewelry Creation
Authors: Li Min , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: February 2018

Tradition and modernity are the eternal topics of art, especially in the age of information.Efficient mechanical production methods to improve the traditional jewelry production process, which achieved the demand for mass production of jewelry.However, with the development of society and the progress of science and technology,  many traditional arts and crafts are lost.From the traditional culture, this paper analyzes the work of embroidery jewelry by studying the traditional Chinese embroidery culture and technique, summarizes the traditional embroidery technology and modern jewelry design techniques combined approach to guide the creative practice.On the basis of studying the theoretical method of combining traditional embroidery technology with modern jewelry, this paper focuses on the application of traditional embroidery techniques in jewelry creation, inspire the potential of traditional craft, to provide reference for modern jewelry design rich Chinese characteristics and attract the attention of  Chinese jewelry industry and inherit the traditional arts.
Concientización y patriarcado en “Desastres íntimos” de Cristina Peri Rossi
Authors: Suh Mingyo
Published: February 2018

Cristina Peri Rossi, escritora reconocida por su carácter subversivo, continuamente ha cuestionado el orden patriarcal. “Desastres íntimos” muestra un proceso en el que la protagonista se concientiza de la injusticia de la realidad y reacciona contra el sistema vigente. Aunque algunos críticos han destacado las características antipatriarcales del cuento, no se ha formulado ninguna interpretación con respecto al funcionamiento del patriarcado y el proceso de la toma de conciencia de la protagonista. En este artículo, pretendo analizar dichas dimensiones, en relación con la postura declarada por la autora y a la luz de la reflexión teórica de Bryson (1999). La caracterización de la protagonista subraya la doble condición de madre soltera y trabajadora por su voluntad, en donde la ausencia de la figura masculina en su vida convierte en indirecta e inadvertida la influencia del patriarcado. La toma de conciencia de la protagonista se podría comprender con el símbolo del ‘atasco’, que el narrador utiliza en diversos niveles para destacar el concepto del fallo inherente al sistema. La estrategia discursiva de la autora se refleja en el cambio de actitud de la protagonista, que decide seguir la estrategia de la contratación equitativa, en donde cada beneficiario pagaría lo que le correspondiera, tanto en la vida personal como en el nivel social. Se resalta, finalmente, la importancia de la acción comunal como un requisito para cambiar el sistema patriarcal arraigado en la realidad social.
Developing Writing Skill of Language Students by Applying Innovative Teaching Strategy Model Based on Social and Local Wisdom Contexts
Authors: Achmad Syarifuddin
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study is to build up students’ writing skills through Innovation Teaching Strategy Model (ITSM). This study was conducted in Letters and Culture Faculty of Universitas Negeri Gorontalo (UNG), with the students of English and Indonesian department as the participants. The current study is based on the social culture and local wisdom context utilizing Information Computer Technology (ICT). This model supports the students to have a high level of thinking and performance in writing skills in English and Indonesian language. This study utilized Research and Development (R &D) approach using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Reflection method with the strategy of one group pre-test and post-test design. This study reaches two target achievements; firstly creating the effective innovation teaching strategy model after statistic examining through one group pre-test and post-test design, and secondly improving the students’ competencies and writing skill through learning and teaching process treatment of writing course as an effect of applying Innovation teaching strategy model application.   
Rethinking Materiality In Pre-Tertiary Studio Art Education In Ghana
Authors: Opoku-Bonsu Kwame
Published: February 2018

This paper explores the conventional artist and environment connections, and argues that, environment that produce the Senior High School student do so with peculiar material affinities and competences ripe for 21st century art. The culture of obliging student to a few institutionalised media like clay, dyes and paints in the studio based art disciplines inhibit the numerous possibilities available, and confines art education to limited aptitudes and few institutionally expected expressions in pre-tertiary art education in Ghana. Using content analysis, the paper examines the Art Curricula and WAEC examination questions for Art Students at the SHS level. It recommends that, curricula and examination item reviews, as well as the incorporation of visual and material culture into artistic processes through democratization and participations of candidates’ cultural backgrounds, will usher in an art education premised on meaning making and conception, and institutionally groomed cultural ambassadors with significant material and visual diversities and competences.
Greek Statues, Roman Cults and European Aristocracy: Examining the Progression of Ancient Sculpture Interpretation
Authors: Lusher Andrew
Published: February 2018

In 1747 Frederick II of Prussia acquired a rare and highly valuable statue from antiquity and gave it the description of Antinous (the ill-fated lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian). Although the bronze statue had always been accepted as an original from ancient Greece, the statue eventually assumed the identity of the Roman Antinous. How could Frederick II, an accomplished collector, ignore the blatant style and chronological discrepancies to interpret a Greek statue as a later Roman deity? This article will use the portraiture of Antinous to facilitate an examination of the progression of classical art interpretation and diagnose the freedom between the art historian and the dilettante. It will expose the necessary partition between the obligations of the art historian to provide technical interpretations of a work within the purview of the discipline with that of the unique interpretation made by individual viewers. This article confirms that although Frederick II lived before the transformative scholarship of Winckelmann, the freedom of interpreting a work is an abiding and intrinsic right of every individual viewer.  
A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Advertisements-Based on Visual Grammar
Authors: Guo Fang , Feng Xiaowen
Published: February 2018

In addition to words, the symbols, colors, sculptures, photographs, music, etc. are also frequently employed by participants to express themselves in communication. Advertising is closely related to sounds, colors, picture animations and other symbols. This paper aims to present how semiotics acts effectively to realize the real business purpose to reflect the unique significance of the multimodal discourse analysis. Based on Visual Grammar, this paper analyzes the 2014 Brazil World Cup advertisements from the perspective of representational meaning, interactive meaning and compositional meaning, this research means to prove that different modes within an advertisement depend on each other and have an interdependent relationship. And these relationships have different roles in different contexts.  
Oathing, Law and Order in Colonial Gusiiland
Authors: Maranga Jackson
Published: February 2018

Though looked upon as informal and backward, oath-taking practices were employed in the administration of law and order among the Gusii people of Kenya during the colonial period. This chapter examines the role of oath-taking in the maintenance of law and order in colonial Gusiiland. More specifically, the chapter examines (1) the various types of oaths among the Gusii people; (2) the contribution of these various forms of oaths to the maintenance of law and order; (3) the relationship between oaths and gender among the Gusii people and (4) the impact of colonial administration on Gusii oath-taking ceremonies. Data which informed this chapter was obtained from archival sources as well as secondary literature.  
Anatomy of Gaudi's Curve Architectural Language
Authors: Liu Jingjing
Published: February 2018

Gaudi was a unique architectural designer at the aspect of architectural design in Art Nouveau. His architectural design has a unique line design, including the external shape curve of Casa Mila being representative. The external shape design of Casa Mila had subverted the external design of traditional architectures. The wave shape of its vertical wall had broken the contemporary traditional aesthetic consciousness of architectures. Thus, the reasons and effects for the curved shape in the external shape design of Casa Mila showing incisively and vividly how subversive and disruptive Casa Mila being are the source of studying its external curve design. During the same period, many architectural designs were also applied to curves in the external shape of the buildings. Therefore, the external shape of curves on Casa Mila is how its architectural design curves standing out are contrasted by curve design applied to other contemporaneous architectures in the period of Art Nouveau. The view of this paper expounds the reason that the curvilinear design of Casa Mila is different from that of other architectures, and the influence of the curvilinear design of Casa Mila in the period of Art Nouveau. This paper starts with the analysis of the architectural curve of Casa Mila. By comparative analysis of curve profile and its curvature in external modeling of  "House of the People" and Tassel Hotel, this paper reveals that Gaudi's architectural features have an unique external modeling and conveys that the architectural curve of external shape more abounds  in using natural elements of imitation.
Facilitating Public Access to the Arts: Applying the Motivation, Opportunity, and Ability Framework to the Case of the UK Royal Opera House
Authors: Yoon Hyunsun Catherine
Published: February 2018

In recent years, arts organizations in the UK have faced challenging times due to severe funding cuts from government and depressed box office sales during the recession. In the UK’s current cultural policy, ‘social impacts’ of the arts are highly emphasized and state interventions are intensified both in terms of finance and legitimacy. What is necessary for arts organizations to produce social impacts is their active provision of ‘deliberate extra activities’, which are generally conducted in the form of education, community, participation or outreach programs. The Royal Opera House (ROH) case study provides an apt example of how to exercise these activities effectively to deliver social impacts. Based on Rothchild’s theoretical Motivation, Opportunity, and Ability (MOA) framework, this study aims to find out how the UK Royal Opera House stimulated motivation among arts audiences and facilitated opportunities for them, thereby allowed them to translate motivation into action. The results show that the ROH implemented several specific strategies: ‘interest triggerings,’ ‘value creation and transmission,’ relationship building and management,’ and education. These strategies can motivate potential arts consumers to be familiar with classic arts, which lowers psychological barriers and stimulates intrinsic motivation to satisfy long-lasting and self-sustaining cultural needs.  
Rape of a Nation: An Eco-critical Reading of Helon Habila’s Oil on Water
Authors: Edebor Solomon Adedokun
Published: February 2018

A number of literary and linguistic researches have been carried out on post-independent Nigerian quagmire. The concerns of some of these studies range from investigating many of the topical issues that have come to define the country, particularly with regard to the issues of bad governance and socio-economic oppression, to the roles played by the masses in aggravating the nation’s predicaments. However, not many critics and scholars have paid the deserved attention to the ecological concerns of Nigerian novelists. This paper, therefore, examines Helon Habila’s Oil on Water as a testament to the environmental mindfulness of Nigerian novelists. The choice of Oil on Water is informed by the fact that there is a dearth of serious scholarly research on the novel. Using the sociological approach and adopting a content analysis method, this study finds out that Habila is not oblivious of the ecological implications of man’s exploitative tendencies on earth’s resources as he makes bare the grim effects of Man’s reckless actions on the environment, the society and other living things, thereby rousing the consciousness of his readers as a way of forcing them to contribute their quota towards making the earth a safe place to live in, free from further gratuitous exploitations by a few to the disadvantage of many. It is, nevertheless, found out that the author fails to suggest pragmatic solutions to the staggering challenges confronting the oil-polluted and violence-ridden nation of Niger Delta.