bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Normative Contradictions in International Law: Implications for Legal Philosophy
Authors: KÖCHLER Hans
Published: March 2017

In order to be perceived as legitimate by those subject to it, a system of legal norms should be free of contradictions. The very idea of justice is incompatible with an erratic interpretation and, subsequently, arbitrary application of norms. Systemic contradictions make actions by state authorities unpredictable. However, at the domestic as well as at the international level, considerations of power and interest have often made of the respective body of norms a “hermeneutical minefield.” The international legal order in particular contains contradictions even between the most basic principles such as state sovereignty, self-determination and the rules of international humanitarian law. While, at the national level, the authority of constitutional courts may help to eliminate contradictions and inconsistencies, there exists, apart from limited regional arrangements, no such separation of powers at the international level. The lecture analyzes, inter alia, the systemic, destabilizing impact of normative contradictions in exemplary cases related to the interpretation of the United Nations Charter and draws conclusions in terms of the philosophy of law.
Idea and Models of Civil Society: Development Tendencies, Arguments Pro and Con
Authors: HOVHANNISYAN Hovhannes
Published: March 2017

The article presents the main stages of development and major modifications of the idea of civil society from Greek and Roman antique philosophy to modern researchers. It discusses two – broad (philosophical) and narrow (the third sector of organizing civil society) – perceptions of civil society and proposes corresponding definitions. Etatistic (controlled), liberal, conflicting, partnership, segmentational and linked models of civil society are analyzed. The expediency of linked and partnership models is substantiated from the position of security and harmonious development of the civic society.
The Alliance Between Politics and Philosophy with Regard to the Threats of the XXI Century
Authors: POGHOSYAN Will
Published: March 2017

The alliance between politics and philosophy pursues the object to change the world as public or social life. The life implies various degrees of quality, and suggests existence regarded as a desirable condition: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is the main point of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). We have here a whole philosophy of politics referring to Plato’s doctrine of the practical influence of philosophy on the state power to change the world (Plato, 1971, Rp. V 473d, VI 501e, VII 540d). The philosophy of politics holds life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be unalienable rights and just so lays down the basic human rights as the principles of the political law, public law. The form of government which secures these rights is called democracy. America is no longer the ruler of her own spirit. In Armenia and Russia, there is instituted now timocracy, a form of government in which love of honor is the ruling principle (timē honor + krateein to rule). There exist here public law apart from human rights. The task of the philosophy of politics is to secure democracy in the United States of America and to carry out the transition from timocracy to democracy in the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation.
On Two Factors of National Identity: Orientation and Social Structure of Society
Authors: VOSKANIAN Ashot
Published: March 2017

Given peculiarity of Armenian history, the Armenian political thought for centuries debated around geopolitical orientation between neighboring great powers. In post-Soviet reflections, however, the emphasis has been moved towards self-reliance, and the very principle of political orientation was questioned. The attitude towards Israel Ori, whose name was viewed as a symbol of the principle of orientation, became the locums for determining the political-ideological disposition of debater, as well as understanding their approaches towards different concepts of national identity.

A brief comparison between the conceptual paradigms of two renowned historians Ashot Hovhannisyan (1887-1972) and Leo (Arakel Babakhanyan, 1860-1932) in relation to their attitude towards Israel Ori aims to demonstrate that questioning of the very principle of orientation has much deeper roots in Armenian historical studies than commonly is believed. It also illuminates the complex relationship between principle of orientation and desired model of social structure of society, which these two classics have revealed in rather different ways.
Georg Brutian and NAS RA Institute of Arts
Authors: ASATRYAN Anna
Published: March 2017

The author recounts the cooperation of the academician Georg Brutian with the Institute of Arts, NAS RA. In particular, the scientific symposium, organized on the initiative of G. Brutian in the Institute of Arts on March 9, 2010 and dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the world-renowned French painter of Armenian origin Jansem, as well as the booklet “Jansem-90”, published the same year by the International Academy of Philosophy, the Armenian Academy of Philosophy and the Institute of Arts NAS RA and edited by the academician G. Brutian are spoken about.
The Eclipse and Rebirth of American Philosophical Pluralism: a History Lesson about His-tory
Authors: MARSOOBIAN Armen T.
Published: March 2017

The 1950s and `60s saw a struggle in American academic philosophy between a philosophical tradition that maintained a central role for the history of philosophy along with an openness to diverse philosophical methods and an ascendant analytic approach that marginalized its own history and restricted the scope of philosophy to self-generated philosophical problems. Columbia University in this period, while marked by these tensions, still provided a fertile ground for generating teacher-philosophers whose pedagogy reflected a deep and serious respect for history and philosophical pluralism. John Herman Randall Jr. and Justus Buchler were two of the central figures who fostered such an environment in Columbia’s Philosophy Department. Joseph P. Fell was a product of this environment and brought these traits to his classroom at Bucknell University. Playing off of Hegel’s insights into history, this essay will reflect upon the philosophies of Randall and Buchler with an eye toward pedagogy, especially as recalled in classes taught by Fell. The subtext of these reflections will provide a commentary on trends within academic philosophy in America over the last 40 years.
David the Invincible: Philosophy as a Lifestyle
Authors: PETROSYAN Silva
Published: March 2017

The most outstanding representative of the history of Armenian philosophy, Neoplatonic thinker of the V-VI centuries, David the Invincible continues the tradition reached the peak of its development in the Ancient Greece by Socrates and Plato, according to which philosophy is first of all a way of life, a means of transformation and perfection of the human being. Following the principles of the Greek Paideia David considers philosophy as a care of the soul, in which theory and practice are intertwined, and cognition of the world depends on the efforts of self-improvement by a subject. Author shows that in David’s definitions of philosophy is clearly seen the significance of self-formation, “zardarum” in the process of reality formation, comprehension or rethinking. It is also mentioned that we can use Michel Foucault’s notion of the “care of the soul” and Pierre Hadot’s notion of “spiritual practices’’ to characterize David’s optimistic philosophy, which was developed further in the theories of Armenian thinkers Grigor Narekatsi, Grigor Magistros, Hovhannes Imastaser, Arakel Sjunetsi, etc.
Changing Stereotypes With Regard to Special Needs Through Children’s Literature
Authors: BAGHDASARYAN Lilith , AVAGYAN Armenuhi , SARGSYAN Karine
Published: March 2017

We had the idea of this research, when we learned, that the children’s book about special needs: R.J. Palacio “Wonder” was translated into Armenian for the first time.

Books on this topic have not been written yet by Armenian authors. The point is that during Soviet years the working assumption was that all the people were “like each other”, perfect, beautiful, without problems, without disorders; all those, who did not meet those criteria (who had visual, auditory, physical, mental, even speech and communication limitations), grew up and spent their lives in special boarding institutions, segregated from their families and society. Being ashamed of their children, who were not ideal, the parents kept them at home, hidden from acquaintances, neighbours, sometimes even from relatives.

Attitudes have begun to change since then, and inclusive education has been a goal in Armenia since 2001. Despite the 15-year history of efforts at inclusive education, acceptance of people with special needs is still not evident in all corners of Armenian society. One of the most prevalent shortcomings is the stereotyping of people with special needs.

We decided to use the reading of the book R.J. Palacio “Wonder” for the purpose of helping people confront their attitudes and stereotypes about disabilities as they explored the lives in this unique book.
Psychological-Pedagogical Criteria for New Generation Textbooks
Authors: POGHOSYAN Vazgen
Published: March 2017

The article dwells on the main psychological and pedagogical criteria which should lay the foundation for all the reforms in school textbooks of transformational societies in transition period. After having analyzed the criteria and aims of textbooks a manual is presented which, as the author suggests, may be valuable in directing high school students in their choice of careers.
The Methodical Principles of Child's Speech Development Curriculum
Authors: AMIRAGHYAN Marianna
Published: March 2017

In the article child’s speech development process is observed, which, on the one hand, assumes the accounting of not only didactic, but also methodological principles, which let the preschool pedagogue choose appropriate means for speech development. On the other hand, the basis of the organization of speech development process is the preschool educational curriculum, where the volume of speech abilities and skills, the demands for different aged-groups are defined. But child’s speech development peculiarities and regularities should be taken into consideration, when the choice of self-realization and self-organization methods, ways and means of child’s speech becomes urgent.
The Essential Features of Electoral Process of Armenia in the Context of Current Changes in the Electoral Code
Authors: GHARIBYAN Anahit
Published: March 2017

A constitutional referendum was held in Armenia on 6 December 2015. The amendments to the constitution changed the country from having a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary republic, with the changes planned to take place during the 2017–18 electoral cycle. The results of the referendum determine not only the current changes in the electoral code, but also the necessity and effectiveness of the new electoral system.

Particularly, by replacing the majoritarian system to the proportional system and by increasing the representativeness of the parliament for some groups, we can create basis for the further development of the country. Above all in the article we discussed the main factors that have a big impact on the voting behavior of the citizens.
Mechanisms of Overcoming Ethical Dilemmas in Nowadays Social Work
Authors: MELKONYAN Nelli
Published: March 2017

In social work, ethical principles have been important in several key respects, with regard to the nature of its mission; the relationships that social workers have with clients, colleagues, and members of the broader society; the methods of intervention that social workers use in their work.

So, social work is situated between moral choice and professional ethical behavior, which allows orientating among the variety of moral requirements, evaluating activities taking into consideration morality and in this way it contributes to the cohesion and stability of social relations. However, the implementation of professional duties is often hampered by objective circumstances, and as a result a social worker can’t always prevent the occurrence of ethical conflicts and facing ethical dilemmas.

In this article we'll discuss ethical conflicts of social work, which affect and determine the course of social assistance, social support at the present; it is also shown possible ways to overcome those ethical dilemmas.
The Role and Meaning of the Free Time in Context of Formation of Socio-Cultural Values in Modern Armenian Society
Authors: MKOYAN Gohar
Published: March 2017

The article considers the problem of a culture of free time as a factor in the formation of modern society that has entered the era of globalization – with the respective opportunities for a variety of leisure activities and, at the same time, it may assume problematic situations for the person related to the effective use of leisure potential for the development of leisure culture of the person.

The aim of this study was to examine the role and free time value in the formation of social and cultural values in our society between two generations - today's youth (18 to 30 years) and the older generation (56 to 66 years), to identify the particular preferences in the environment of two generations in the field of leisure, to provide a comparative analysis and assessment of the data. The author had the task of considering the organization of free time as scientific and social problems, its effective implementation representatives of the two age groups, the disclosure of the content of free time of concept of culture. The research has used quantitative and qualitative methods of sociological research – unstructured data included observations, expert study using unstructured in-depth interviews, the survey (questionnaires), interviews by stratificat sampling in compliance with the proportions of the population structure by sex and age.

In the analysis, we stopped on such objective indicators of the quality of free time as a variety of leisure activities, especially the preferences of two generations in leisure activities (the prevalence of reading, resort to information and communication technologies, the frequency of visits to entertainment, cultural and leisure facilities, etc.).

The article explains the idea that free time acquires its true value when it is directed to the full development of the person and the acquisition of their socio-cultural values, as well as with the growth of free time, the role of self-development and reduced the share of inactive leisure.
Methodological Analysis of Political Participation Indicator Evaluation Tools
Authors: PETROSYAN Astghik
Published: March 2017

The article analyzes issues of political participation. The article discusses main stages and features of formation of the concept of political participation in sociology and political science. Definition of political participation is offered based on the analysis of the interpretations available in professional literature. Political participation is involvement of citizens (in the broader sense including public subjects like organizations, groups, etc.) in political processes, decision making ceremonies, as well as citizen influence on the formation of political systems and institutions, their operation, drafting political decision. Several classifications of political engagement are observed: conventional and unconventional; orthodox and unorthodox, offensive; latent and evident; individual and collective; direct and indirect; acceptable active, acceptable passive, unacceptable active and unacceptable passive, and so on.

Based on logical operationalization, the toolkit for political participation types and index assessment is analyzed. Proposal is made to implement a more comprehensive and sensitive chart. Some attractive results gained after employing a survey in the RA are presented.
Cultural Characteristic of Early Christianity
Authors: PETROSYAN Nelli
Published: March 2017

The article presents the cultural characteristic of early Christianity in Armenia. In the end of the 3rd century Christianity had a large number of followers. Christianity gave an opportunity to resist with national unity the external invaders and protect national independence and autonomy. Assessing correctly the situation, in 301 Tiridates III (287-330) by the initiative of Gregory the Illuminator declared Christianity as a state religion in Armenia. Gregory the Illuminatore could show that only due to Christianity it was possible to ensure the further history of Armenian people. He also explained the philosophical-anthropological bases of that religion, contrasting that with the visible simplicity of polytheism.

The adoption of Christianity was a powerful twist in country’s external and internal policy but it rejected by the religious aspect the faith of the centuries, the pagan culture and literature. But nevertheless, remained only pre-Christian spiritual and cultural values which were created by people.

Christianity created its culture, literature, school. In Armenia constructed Christian churches, next to them were opened Christian churches in Greek and Assyrian languages.

In the history of the Christian culture 4th and 5th centuries historical situations were the most important factors for the development of Early Medieval Armenian art and ecclesiastical literature and oriented its essence and uniqueness giving impetus to the creation of high bibliographic monuments.
The Methodological Importance of the Notion of Divine Revelation in a Historical Perspective
Authors: MEZEI Balázs M.
Published: March 2017

I offer an overview of the relevance of the notion of divine revelation to the methodology of the sciences. The notion of revelation is to be considered in the framework of a well-formed philo­sophical theory. In such a theory, the theological notion of revelation is important as well, because as a historically evolving notion it has contributed, in its own fashion, to the formation of other sciences. The method the notion of revelation entails is instructive for the methodological presuppositions of the sciences. Most importantly, the dynamism given in the notion of revelation to produce genuine newness – ad intra as well as ad extra – appears to be the decisive methodological factor defining scientific methodology. I also reflect on the importance of various forms of knowledge – apodicticity, certainty and probability – as they appear in the notion of revelation and define scientific forms of knowledge in a historical as well as logical fashion. Finally, I show the place of the methodological discussion in an overall view of revelation as a well-formed philosophical theory.
L’attention et l’amour de l’Ordre dans la morale de Malebranche
Authors: Dupuis Michel
Published: March 2017

Cet article se propose d’examiner la question de l’attention chez Malebranche à la lumière de travaux qui lui ont été récemment consacrés dans le domaine des neurosciences et de la phénoménologie. Il s’agit en particulier de montrer que la conception malebranchiste de l’attention est en elle-même intentionnelle et ne saurait donc se réduire à une simple attente pensée sur un modèle quiétiste. Le statut de la prière est au centre de cette analyse : l’attention comme « prière naturelle » n’est pas attente de la lumière de Dieu, mais elle est toujours déjà orientée vers celle-ci et opère chez Malebranche comme cause occasionnelle. Ce rôle médiateur de l’attention s’enracine dans la théologie malebranchiste où l’attention apparaît à la fois comme un travail de l’esprit et une mise en relation avec l’autre, attention concentrée et attention conjointe.
L’attention dans la philosophie de l’esprit de John Locke
Authors: Lähteenmäki Vili , Pelletier Arnaud
Published: March 2017

Dans cet article, j’examine la nature et le rôle de l’attention dans le cadre du parallélisme que Locke établit entre la sensation et la réflexion en tant qu’origines des idées. Je montre que le caractère volontaire n’est pas un élément nécessaire de l’attention pour Locke, et que porter attention à quelque chose n’est pas la même chose qu’en être conscient puisque la conscience d’une idée doit en précéder l’attention. Afin de pouvoir rendre compte des manières différentes dont les idées internes et externes sont formées et conservées dans l’esprit, Locke distingue entre deux types d’attention : involontaire et volontaire. L’attention involontaire ne suffit pas à rendre compte de la permanence des idées des objets internes. Cette doctrine de l’attention est enfin mise en rapport à la nature même de l’entreprise philosophique de l’ Essai dans son ensemble, que Locke décrit dans l’ Introduction en disant que l’entendement nous fait voir et percevoir toutes les autres choses, mais qu’il faut un effort particulier pour le mettre à distance et en faire un objet pour lui-même.
Attention et pensée aveugle chez Leibniz
Authors: Bouquiaux Laurence
Published: March 2017

L’objet de cette contribution est de montrer comment le recours « aveugle » aux caractères et au formalisme transforme, pour Leibniz, l’exercice de l’attention. Plus précisément, il s’agira de montrer en s’appuyant sur divers opuscules que le formalisme permet à la fois d’épargner l’attention, de la concentrer, de l’élargir, de la séquencer et de la transformer en un exercice collectif.
L’ipséité : un essai de reformulation à la lumière de Heidegger et de Wittgenstein
Authors: Romano Claude
Published: March 2017

Le but de cet article est de réévaluer la cohérence de l’un des concepts les plus importants – bien que souvent négligé – de l’ontologie fondamentale heideggérienne, le concept d’ipséité ( Selbstheit ). En insistant sur l’importance de l’affirmation selon laquelle l’ipséité se réfère à un mode d’être de Dasein , par contraste avec un autre, la perte de soi-même dans le On, et à rien d’autre qu’à cela (à aucune espèce d’étant ou d’entité), nous en tirons les conséquences pour la compréhension de l’économie de ce concept, en particulier en relation aux critiques qui ont été formulées à l’encontre de l’ipséité heideggérienne par Vincent Descombes dans une optique wittgensteinienne. La dernière section de ce texte constitue une tentative pour reformuler ce concept d’ipséité en cherchant à la fois à rendre justice aux intuitions de départ de Heidegger et à éviter les « perplexités » grammaticales qu’elles sont susceptibles d’éveiller.
Eosinophils Promote Antiviral Immunity in Mice Infected with Influenza A Virus
Authors: Samarasinghe Amali E. , Melo Rossana C. N. , Duan Susu , LeMessurier Kim S. , Liedmann Swantje , Surman Sherri L. , Lee James J. , Hurwitz Julia L. , Thomas Paul G. , McCullers Jonathan A.
Published: March 2017

Eosinophils are multifunctional cells of the innate immune system linked to allergic inflammation. Asthmatics were more likely to be hospitalized but less likely to suffer severe morbidity and mortality during the 2009 influenza pandemic. These epidemiologic findings were recapitulated in a mouse model of fungal asthma wherein infection during heightened allergic inflammation was protective against influenza A virus (IAV) infection and disease. Our goal was to delineate a mechanism(s) by which allergic asthma may alleviate influenza disease outcome, focused on the hypothesis that pulmonary eosinophilia linked with allergic respiratory disease is able to promote antiviral host defenses against the influenza virus. The transfer of eosinophils from the lungs of allergen-sensitized and challenged mice into influenza virus–infected mice resulted in reduced morbidity and viral burden, improved lung compliance, and increased CD8+ T cell numbers in the airways. In vitro assays with primary or bone marrow–derived eosinophils were used to determine eosinophil responses to the virus using the laboratory strain (A/PR/08/1934) or the pandemic strain (A/CA/04/2009) of IAV. Eosinophils were susceptible to IAV infection and responded by activation, piecemeal degranulation, and upregulation of Ag presentation markers. Virus- or viral peptide–exposed eosinophils induced CD8+ T cell proliferation, activation, and effector functions. Our data suggest that eosinophils promote host cellular immunity to reduce influenza virus replication in lungs, thereby providing a novel mechanism by which hosts with allergic asthma may be protected from influenza morbidity.
Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Display and Shed B Cell Maturation Antigen upon TLR Engagement
Authors: Schuh Elisabeth , Musumeci Andrea , Thaler Franziska S. , Laurent Sarah , Ellwart Joachim W. , Hohlfeld Reinhard , Krug Anne , Meinl Edgar
Published: March 2017

The BAFF-APRIL system is best known for its control of B cell homeostasis, and it is a target of therapeutic intervention in autoimmune diseases and lymphoma. By analyzing the expression of the three receptors of this system, B cell maturation Ag (BCMA), transmembrane activator and CAML interactor, and BAFF receptor, in sorted human immune cell subsets, we found that BCMA was transcribed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in both blood and lymphoid tissue. Circulating human pDCs contained BCMA protein without displaying it on the cell surface. After engagement of TLR7/8 or TLR9, BCMA was detected also on the cell surface of pDCs. The display of BCMA on the surface of human pDCs was accompanied by release of soluble BCMA (sBCMA); inhibition of γ-secretase enhanced surface expression of BCMA and reduced the release of sBCMA by pDCs. In contrast with human pDCs, murine pDCs did not express BCMA, not even after TLR9 activation. In this study, we extend the spectrum of BCMA expression to human pDCs. sBCMA derived from pDCs might determine local availability of its high-affinity ligand APRIL, because sBCMA has been shown to function as an APRIL-specific decoy. Further, therapeutic trials targeting BCMA in patients with multiple myeloma should consider possible effects on pDCs.
Wastewater Management Techniques: A Review of Advancement on the Appropriate Wastewater Treatment Principles for Sustainability
Authors: Donde Oscar Omondi
Published: March 2017

Water is an essential resource that is required to sustain life. Its availability has to be adequate, safe and easily accessible. Current trends in climate change and rise in human population has compromised water adequacy, availability and safety. Wastewater managers around the world have the responsibility to ensure that the effluent that is eventually released into the environment does not degrade the quality of the recipient water bodies. Attaining sustainability in wastewater management is top in the of Sustainable Development Goals’ Agenda.  All in all, the realization of a more sustainable wastewater management will require a highly holistic and balanced approach in evaluating a particular management strategy's overall sustainability. Promoting the use of safe, affordable and adequately available wastewater treatment techniques is a step towards wastewater management for sustainability. This review paper therefore discusses some of the currently known and emerging wastewater management techniques that are considered essential in attaining sustainability in water resource management.
A Comparison of Major Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tools
Authors: Kuruppuarachchi Lakshika Nishadhi , Kumar Ashok , Franchetti Matthew
Published: March 2017

The concept of Environmental Justice (EJ) has evolved in United Sates for more than 30 years. Since then most empirical studies have shown that low-income and minority neighborhoods are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards. Across the world, communities are struggling to protect their land, air, water, forests, and their livelihoods from damaging projects and activities with heavy environmental and social impacts. A Number of tools already exist to identify and map those areas with potential environmental justice concerns. This paper presents a comparison of the three major EJ tools; EJSCREEN (version 2016), CalEnviroScreen 2.0, EJ Atlas and their methodologies. There are some common parameters across these tools in presenting Environmental Justice and in identifying environmentally burdened communities, socially burdened communities, or both. Environmental burdens can include any environmental pollutant, hazard or disadvantage that compromises the health of a community. The tools are expected to help in understanding and studying the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, decision making for disadvantaged communities in certain areas and in setting up environmental policies and planning.
Perceptions on Online Reputation Management in Tourism Industry (The Case of a Romanian Hotel)
Authors: Capatina Alexandru , Schin George Cristian
Published: March 2017

Online reputation management plays a significant role in tourism industry, as tourists are more and more interested to express their opinions about their experiences with their circles of friends. The rise of pure players such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Travelocity, as well as the connection of hotels’ clients on social mention websites make the hotel management teams aware of the necessity to build a customer feedback observatory, especially in online environment.This research explores the effects of the positive, respectively negative reviews on the image of GRAND ORIENT hotel of Brăila, which have a strong impact on this brands’ success in online social networks. Factors with greatest influence in what concerns choosing the services offered by the hotel, the degree of interaction between the respondents and different sites which promotes reviews of hotel services and the methods through which this hotel might stimulate its customers to post reviews are also addressed by this study.The main contribution of the study reflects that online reputation management has a significant positive effect on hotel branding strategies, as the customers are empowered to share their opinions regarding their experiences on a wide variety of social-media networks.
Human Relations in Instructional Supervision: EFL Trainees’ Appraisal of a TEFL Practicum
Authors: Agbayahoun Juvenale Patinvoh
Published: March 2017

Instructional or educational supervision is a valuable training tool that can be used to support pre-service teacher education. When it is well implemented, it helps student teachers develop self-awareness, self-assessment and self-reflection skills. This study explores a group of 18 Beninese EFL trainees’ perceptions of instructional supervision and their practicum experiences. It also examines the nature of the relations between them and their supervisors. A mixed method research design is used for the study. The data are collected through three instruments: a questionnaire addressed to the participant EFL trainees, the written records of their practicum experiences, and a follow-up interview to 6 of them who are randomly selected. The findings reveal a lot of discrepancies between the type of supervision they expected and the one they experienced during the practicum. Some useful suggestions are discussed to contribute to a better understanding of the supervisory process and the role of the supervisor in a practicum.
Knowledge Management in Mexican Manufacturing Small Business
Authors: Maldonado-Guzman Gonzalo , Marin-Aguilar Jose Trinidad , Pinzon-Castro Sandra Yesenia
Published: March 2017

In an unpredictable business environment, such as the one that characterized the economy at the beginning of the 21st century, knowledge management has become one of the most valued intangible assets by organizations that have recognized the importance of knowledge in the creation and development of competitive advantages and performance. However, most investigations have been focused on big enterprises, only a few have been paid attention to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For this reason, the present research analyzes the importance of knowledge management in SMEs through a sample of 125 manufacturing SMEs from Aguascalientes State (Mexico). The results obtained show that manufacturing SMEs have good knowledge management which can be regarded as a competitive advantage.
The Impacts of Brand Personality on Brand Loyalty: A Research on Automobile Brands in Turkey
Authors: Akin Murat
Published: March 2017

In this pilot study investigating the impacts of automobile brand personality perceptions of Turkish consumers on their attitudinal and behavioral intentions, the effects of the personality attributed to the brand by the consumers on their behavioral intentions regarding preferences, recommendations and willingness to pay higher prices for the brand are examined. The study consists of two main parts. Definitions of brand personality and brand loyalty are made in the literature review section where the conceptual framework is sought to be formed. Our hypothesis to test the attitudinal and behavioral effects of the automobile brand personality following the conceptual framework is analyzed using a sample of 368 participants. The research results indicate that automobile brands are perceived such as competent and excited, and the effects of these dimensions on both behavioral and attitudinal loyalty have been seen to be stronger than the effects on the other two dimensions, namely, conventionality and androgyny. In the conclusion of the study, the impacts are evaluated, and suggestions are given to business managers, marketing researchers, and marketing researchers.
Exploring the Consumer Impulse Buying Behaviour from a Range of Consumer and Product Related Factors
Authors: Yeboah Abraham , Owusu-Prempeh Vida
Published: March 2017

The main purpose of this study is to explore the consumer impulse buying behaviour from a range of consumer and product related factors. To achieve this purpose, the study was guided by five research questions in the area of product physical quality, product price, product attractiveness, product origin, and purchase location. The study employed quantitative method. A sample of 179 respondents (consumers) that visited the Accra Shopping Mall was employed using convenient selection method. A self-completed 5 point Likert structured questionnaire survey was the data collection instrument used. The data collected were computed and analysed with reliability statistics, Cramer’s V statistics under a crosstabulation statistical technique test to determine the association between the variables involved in this study. Overall, findings indicate that, the association between consumer impulse buying behaviour and product physical quality, product price, product attractiveness, product origin and purchase location was not strong. Consequently, each of the five products related factors shows a weak association with consumer impulse buying behaviour. It is recommended that manufacturers and other stakeholders support retail shops in diverse methods to improve upon their selling techniques and new ways to appeal to consumers.
What Drives Consumers to Accept M-ads on Their Hand-Held Devices? A Literature Review, Insights and Propositions for Emerging Markets
Authors: De Silva Vilasini , Yan Jun
Published: March 2017

Mobile phone heavily penetrates into the consumers’ eventful routine and assists their shopping immensely. Marketing managers confront the query of conveyance of effectual information about products quiet often. Realizing the key dynamics of attitudes and acceptance of m-ads is crucial in designing the customized marketing message. The article attempts to give an overview on determinants of consumers’ attitude and acceptance of m-ads from the existing body of knowledge. Trust and credibility is recognized as sender’s characteristic that should be maintained by managers. Informativeness, entertainment, perceived ease of use and incentives are grouped into m-ads characteristics that managers should pay much attention in designing the message. And, Managers should ponder the features of target audience as well in creating the message. i.e., perceived intrusiveness, perceived usefulness, personalization and perceived control. Therefore, article is expedient in both academia and industry in emerging markets in terms of discovering elements that shape consumers’ attitudes and acceptance of mobile advertising.
Impact of employees motivation on work effectiveness in a company
Authors: Gawron Iwona
Published: March 2017

In modern times the company to gain a competitive advantage in the market should effectively manage its resources and in particular human resources. Workers are the guarantee of realization of the company. Therefore, it is important to motivate the employees, using appropriate motivators, as well motivated worker does his job better and this in turn has its reflection in effects, which reaches the company.
Use of coaching to improve the skills of young engineers and improve the company’s image
Authors: Hordyńska Małgorzata
Published: March 2017

Professional group, which is most difficult in our country to recruit are besides manual workers – engineers. The organization of vocational training during higher education does not guarantee future engineers proper practical preparation. When graduating from universities they are trained only in theory for future responsibilities. There are opportunities to use the experience of 50+ occupational group for the implementation of future engineers to work providing opportunities for development as well as ensuring the improvement of wages of employees in retirement age. An additional benefit is the improvement of company’s image. The article presents the statistics of the conditions on the labor market and the ability to complete the project which is to create a dual study program for first degree full-time students of the Silesian University of Technology with the use of practical knowledge of 50+ workers as internal coaches (trainers) in companies interested in acquiring and developing talents.
Impacts of creation of safety stock on human resources management in manufacturing companies
Authors: Čemerková Šárka , Malátek Vojtěch
Published: March 2017

The aim of this article is to map the impact on the area of human resources caused by failures in stock deliveries. Against these failures the businesses is protected by creating a safety stock. However in this way, large amounts of capital are bound. In response to minimize production costs, enterprises introduce JIT technology. When applying JIT enterprises reduce safety stock to a minimum. Outside the focus investment in human resources cannot remain, especially in a context where the necessity of reserves for ensuring of production continuity can arise. In this text attention will be paid to ensure an adequate amount of personnel to support production out of regular working hours in the case, when due to insufficient safety stocks the production in regular working hours has not been realized. The first part includes a literature search on the topic. In the next section an alternative model will be created, through which enterprises can proceed to deal potentially with arising situations, i.e. whether to create material safety stock, or arrange workers for overtime-work.
The entrepreneurial management of the local government
Authors: Widera Zbigniew , Widera Wiktor , Dudzic Ewa
Published: March 2017

The article presents a report based on a research project carried out at Humanitas University in Sosnowiec. The project titled “Entrepreneurial management of the local government” was conducted in selected municipalities of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia and investigated the extent to which employees of the Municipal Office in Sosnowiec and the Municipal Office in Chorzów understand the issue of entrepreneurial management of the local government. The results of the study demonstrated discrepancies in the understanding of the term “entrepreneurial management of the local government”. Therefore, the outcomes of the report could stimulate the municipal institutions’ management to improve the management process, taking place in their institutions. Moreover, the collected data could be an incentive for scientists to perform further research in the area of public service, as it rarely appears in the scientific publications.
The study of entrepreneurship growth drivers with the application of bayesian networks and global data
Authors: Czyżewska Marta , Mroczek Teresa , Lewicki Arkadiusz , Cwynar Andrzej
Published: March 2017

We applied Bayesian networks to distinguish groups of countries different in terms of their level of entrepreneurship growth as measured by new business density and to find factors responsible for the differences. The objective of the article is to check the applicability of Bayesian networks in filtering variables critical for entrepreneurship and its growth in the multidimensional data environment, and hence to shed a new light on the forces underlying the phenomenon. We detected considerable differences in the sets of key factors responsible for entrepreneurship growth among five groups of countries sorted out on the basis of their performance in terms of the entrepreneurship growth. Except the positive dimension, our study has also a normative value as the empirical findings gathered by us can help to formulate fitted recommendations as to the entrepreneurship stimulation in various socioeconomic and political settings.
Internet versus financial success of a virtual enterprise
Authors: Grabiec Olimpia , Korenkiewicz Aleksandra
Published: March 2017

Enterprises which are forced to meet client’s expectations, more and more often use innovative solutions given by the market of manufacture and services. In the context of implemented changes, they use Internet, which helps them in the matter of new business relations with customers as well as is a basis for improvement of company’s finance. Regarding the experience of large organisations which operate beyond the borders of our country, it is easy to see a significant difference in the engagement of modern e-business solutions in company’s activity. Polish market of manufacture and service, basing on own knowledge and developing electronic economy, implements organisational changes concerning the improvement of companies activity.
Stereotypes regarding business conditions in Latin America – the results of own research in the Polish and Czech society
Authors: Cyz Katarzyna
Published: March 2017

Stereotypes and prejudices in international trade could be devastating to operations carried out in a different culture. The aim of this document is to highlight issues of cultural differences in business. In the article has been used a number of scientific publications, and also presents the results of own research. Surveys of perception of business conditions in Latin America were conducted separately among Polish and Czech respondents.
The issues of risk management in the case of cluster cooperation
Authors: Haviernikova Katarína , Kordoš Marcel
Published: March 2017

The paper is conceived as a theoretical and methodological study on the process of risk management in terms of cluster cooperation. In recent years the collaboration among different regional entities through their involvement in clusters has become increasingly important in Slovak Republic. The participation of particular subjects in clusters and their subsequent cooperation is observed by certain risks. The correct risk approach helps eliminate the negative trends in activities carried out by the cluster and because of that it may increase the interest of other stakeholders to take part in this form of cooperation. The goal of this paper is to characterize the risk management in a specific environment of cluster cooperation.
Kaizen written in Katakana. The creation of quality-focused Culture of contemporary Organizations
Authors: Stankiewicz-Mróz Anna
Published: March 2017

A high quality, which obtainment and maintenance enforce a need to create a quality- -focused corporate culture, is an important feature of companies operating in the conditions of the global competition. It is a continuous process which requires a full involvement of employees in the process of achieving the specific objectives and a clear inner need for continuous development. The aim of this paper is to diagnose a readiness of the organizational culture to implement a strategy of the continuous improvements and the implementation of a Kaizen tool.
The functioning of non-profit organizations and motivations of participants
Authors: Zioło Katarzyna
Published: March 2017

This article presents the motives that lead people to engage in activities of NGOs. The first part discusses the concept of NGOs and characterized areas of their operation. While the second presents the motivations that guide the participants NGOs. The presented content shows that human motivations and attitudes are a source of innovation and creativity, and thus constitute the real wealth of NGOs.
Formal and legal aspects of the projects financed from EU funds
Authors: Bera Milena
Published: March 2017

A key challenge for organizations in the contemporary world is a successful balance between current business and change business. The article presents a different approach to project management, with particular focus projects co-financed from EU funds. It highlights the key provisions of the grant agreement, focusing mainly on the obligations of the beneficiary underwith the provisions of the agreement, the fulfillment of which determines the possibility of spending of EU funds.
Innovation in the contemporary polish economy and the untapped potential of the cooperation between science and business
Authors: Szeliga Małgorzata
Published: March 2017

The Polish economy, despite assurances, is not innovative at all. As it turns out, among all EU countries, Poland in this respect is ahead only of Latvia and very poor Bulgaria and Romania. Yet, the cooperation between science and business is an inseparable foundation of every modern economy based on knowledge and innovation. However, is a true partnership between universities and business possible in the Polish conditions? Why has an effective reconciliation of these two aspects been impossible thus far? An analysis of this problem is currently an essential issue and should be done as soon as possible. This will help to establish an effective programme for remedying the cooperation between science and business in order to build real innovation and thus – also the Polish economic capital.
Product’s elements and the satisfaction of the customer’s needs in the hospitality sector
Authors: Górka-Chowaniec Agnieszka
Published: March 2017

An integral part of modern marketing orientation becomes thinking about the consumer and his needs. Hospitality sector enterprises seeking to achieve long-term success in the market expansion need to continuously identify consumer’s market needs and understand their essence. On the basis of these messages they should accurately adjust current product’s offer to disclosed consumer’s market needs and preferences as well as continuously strive to maximize their satisfaction. The author of the article characterized hospitality sector products, explaining its essence and elements. The Author showed the impact of particular hospitality product elements on the consumer’s behaviour. The author also drew attention to relations between the supply and demand sides of the hospitality market, pointing to the need to adjust hospitality sector product to the needs of the analyzed consumer’s segment.