bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Devenir parents en France et en Allemagne : normes, valeurs, représentations
Authors: Brachet Sara , Letablier Marie-Thérèse , Salles Anne
Published: November 2013

Becoming parents in France and Germany : norms, values and representations.

Most of European countries have now a low fertility regime resulting from changes in parenthood behavior and family social role. Fertility patterns notably differ in France and Germany, France displaying the highest fertility rate in Europe whereas Germany has one of the lowest. This paper explores the cultural reasons behind these differences, analyzing how fertility intentions emerge and what tradeoffs are made for realizing the intentions. The analysis is based on a qualitative survey carried out in the two countries with a similar sample of individuals, men and women, in age of becoming parents, partnered or not. Beyond broad differences in policies supporting parenthood in the two countries that are often mentioned as being the main factor explaining fertility differences, the paper highlights the impact of norms and values on fertility decisions and realization, especially with regard to attitudes toward parenthood, gender roles and work commitment.
Azúcar, esclavitud y racismo: oligarquía criolla y colonialismo en Cuba
Authors: Tornero Pablo
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT- One of the main tasks of history is to make present understandable. In our case, in the Caribbean area and specifically in Cuba, colonial past has been defined by slavery, excluding social racism, sugar plantations and dependent self production. These elements have brought about the formation of enclave economies and of a dependent middle class who, within the framework of work's international division and accumulation, have led to Cuba's under development.
Plantación, plantaciones. Cuba en los 1880
Authors: Venegas Delgado Hernán
Published: November 2013

RESUMEN- El trabajo realiza una introducción acerca de los problemas historiográficos y en cuanto a las fuentes que se confrontan en relación con el tema. A continuación se analiza la situación de la Colonia al concluir la Guerra de 1868-1878 para poder entender el proceso final de liquidación de la esclavitud y el comienzo de la concentración industrial, básicamente azucarera, durante la década de 1880-1889. Finalmente se brinda un panorama de las soluciones generales encontradas para el mercado laboral.
Recent Advances in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Immunomodulation: The Role of Microvesicles
Authors: Fierabracci Alessandra , Del Fattore Andrea , Luciano Rosa , Muraca Marta , Teti Anna , Muraca Maurizio
Published: November 2013

Mesenchymal stem cells are the most widely used cell phenotype for therapeutic applications, the main reasons being their well-established abilities to promote regeneration of injured tissues and to modulate immune responses. Efficacy was reported in the treatment of several animal models of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and, in clinical settings, for the management of disorders such as GVHD, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The effects of mesenchymal stem cells are believed to be largely mediated by paracrine signals, and several secreted molecules have been identified as contributors to the net biological effect. Recently, it has been recognized that bioactive molecules can be shuttled from cell to cell packed in microvesicles, tiny portions of cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane. Coding and noncoding RNAs are also carried in such microvesicles, transferring relevant biological activity to target cells. Several reports indicate that the regenerative effect of mesenchymal stem cells can be reproduced by microvesicles isolated from their culture medium. More recent evidence suggests that the immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells are also at least partially mediated by secreted microvesicles. These findings allow better understanding of the mechanisms involved in cell-to-cell interaction and may have interesting implications for the development of novel therapeutic tools in place of the parent cells.
Simulation of electron transport during electron-beam-induced deposition of nanostructures
Authors: Salvat-Pujol Francesc , Jeschke Harald O , Valentí Roser
Published: November 2013

We present a numerical investigation of energy and charge distributions during electron-beam-induced growth of tungsten nanostructures on SiO2substrates by using a Monte Carlo simulation of the electron transport. This study gives a quantitative insight into the deposition of energy and charge in the substrate and in the already existing metallic nanostructures in the presence of the electron beam. We analyze electron trajectories, inelastic mean free paths, and the distribution of backscattered electrons in different compositions and at different depths of the deposit. We find that, while in the early stages of the nanostructure growth a significant fraction of electron trajectories still interacts with the substrate, when the nanostructure becomes thicker the transport takes place almost exclusively in the nanostructure. In particular, a larger deposit density leads to enhanced electron backscattering. This work shows how mesoscopic radiation-transport techniques can contribute to a model that addresses the multi-scale nature of the electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID) process. Furthermore, similar simulations can help to understand the role that is played by backscattered electrons and emitted secondary electrons in the change of structural properties of nanostructured materials during post-growth electron-beam treatments.
Gold(I)-catalyzed domino cyclization for the synthesis of polyaromatic heterocycles
Authors: Morin Mathieu , Levesque Patrick , Barriault Louis
Published: November 2013

Gold(I) complexes have emerged as powerful and useful catalysts for the formation of new C–C, C–O and C–N bonds. Taking advantage of the specificity of [IPrAuNCMe][SbF6] complexes to favor the 5-exo-dig cyclization over the 6-endo-dig pathway, we report a high yielding and efficient method to generate substituted polyaromatic heterocycles under remarkably mild reaction conditions.
Sur la « norme » du français oral au Québec (et au Canada en général)
Authors: Bigot Davy , Papen Robert A.
Published: November 2013

L’article revient sur l’ensemble des données récentes qui concernent la norme de la prononciation du français parlé au Québec (et au Canada en général). Dans un premier temps, nous abordons la question de la norme de prononciation telle qu’elle était présentée par l’Office de la langue française dans les années soixante. Nous traitons ensuite d’un modèle plus récent et qui semble faire consensus, le modèle « radiocanadien », c’est-à-dire la prononciation des présentateurs de bulletins de nouvelles du réseau de télévision nationale de langue française, Radio-Canada, en présentant les grandes lignes directives adoptées par la Société Radio-Canada (SRC). Nous démontrons que bien que cette norme soit reconnue comme symbole de la « bonne » prononciation québécoise et pancanadienne, les traits de prononciation préconisés par la SRC sont les mêmes que ceux prescrits dans le Dictionnaire de la prononciation française dans sa norme actuelle (Warnant 1987), dictionnaire pourtant franco-français et dont les traits de prononciation sont résolument « parisiens ». Dans un second temps, nous exposons les résultats de deux études empiriques qui se sont attachées aux pratiques réelles de plusieurs présentateurs de bulletins d’informations de la SRC, celles de Cox (1998) et de Reinke (2005). À partir d’une présentation des points de convergence et de divergence entre ces deux études, nous démontrons qu’il existe un certain nombre de différences entre le modèle hypothétique préconisé par la SRC et les pratiques réelles des présentateurs. Notre analyse se termine par une synthèse des traits de prononciation qui caractérisent les usages réels de ceux-ci, et qui font donc partie de la « norme », ainsi que des traits sur lesquels il reste encore à statuer, vu que certains emplois font encore montre de variabilité. Enfin, nous concluons l’article sur une réflexion quant à la place qui doit être donnée à cette norme pancanadienne putative dans les manuels de français, notamment de français langue seconde.
Application of Statistical Visualization Tools on Global Competitiveness Data
Authors: Akkucuk Ulas
Published: November 2013

Many global organizations provide valuable sources of country-specific data to the general public. The data are a very good source of secondary information to the global firms making country entry decisions as well as providing input to the policy makers in the international organizations and the country governments. One such organization is the World Economic Forum disseminating the results of a global competitiveness study every year. The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) focuses on 12 variables that are deemed to be important for the country’s competitiveness and hence suitability for investment. The coverage of the GCI has been increasing over the years. The latest report (2012-2013) carries data on 144 countries. With the amount of data increasing it becomes important to summarize the intrinsic elements with the use of visual tools. Multivariate statistical tools could summarize vast amounts of data while retaining the critical pieces of information and the interdependencies between the variables and the objects. This chapter demonstrates the use of two such techniques, namely Cluster Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) on the World Economic Forum 2012-2013 Global Competitiveness data.
Analyzing the Efficiency of European Banks
Authors: Eken Mehmet Hasan , Kale Suleyman , Selimler Huseyin
Published: November 2013

Basic financial and profitability ratios such as net interest margin, return on assets, and return on equity alone do not measure bank performances effectively as they lack the risks associated. Since the success of banks in managing performance is expected to be largely dependent on the correct pricing and management of risks, a proper measurement of efficiency should include the effects of risks. The purpose of this study is to benchmark risk profiles of European commercial banks and performance indicators during the 2006-2009. The research is implemented based on four models by Data Envelopment Analysis with data of 697 banks from 37 countries. The results suggest that there is an extensive inter- and intra-country risk efficiency of banks. Profitability increase is not always directly proportional to risk increase, and the financial crisis substantially decreased the risk efficiency of banks, especially in 2008 in developed economies.
The Central Banking Operations in Global Economy
Authors: Celik Ismail Erkan , Dinçer Hasan , Hacıoğlu Ümit
Published: November 2013

Global economic improvements with new economy concept are starting to get more competitive day by day. The competitive transformation that comes as a result of active using the information in real sector markets has started to show itself in finance sector. Decreasing profit margins, customer-oriented approach to service, international banking regulations and activities, put the banking sector in an important actor in a highly competitive environment. Central bank strategies and the regulation activities on market in developed countries is said to be one of the important parameters for the banks’ current activities in financial markets. In this context, this work presents the operations and basic historical process of the Central Banking in Developed Markets for banks that are global actors.
Causality between Credit Deposit Ratio and Credit Share in Major Indian States during 1972 -2008
Authors: Das Ramesh Chandra , Dinda Soumyananda
Published: November 2013

The Indian economy has undergone different structural shifting in its history of development since 1947. One major break was the liberalization of the economy in the period 1991-92 and the reforms in the banking and financial sectors deserved a special attention in the study. The banking sector reform was done under the intention to make more investible banking funds for real investment to raise credit-deposit ratio along with proper allocation of banking funds to all the states so that share of credit of each state is balanced. Literature shows the falling tendency of credit-deposit ratio in the immediate decade after the reform and the rising tendency of divergence in credit possession among the states. At the same time, the states lacking in credit-deposit ratio are either with higher, lower, or moderate shares of credits. This study, hence, tried to examine the direction of causalities between credit-deposit ratio and credit share for the major 16 states of India. Using the time series econometrics technique, this study found 4 states where the causality works for the entire period and less than half of the state where causality works in either pre-reform or post-reform periods.
Can Access to Microfinance Reduce HIV Prevalence among Women?
Authors: Peprah James Atta , Buonbah Charles
Published: November 2013

Microfinance has been heralded by many as the magic bullet, able to empower marginalized populations by investing into their agency. It has been growing at an average rate of about 40%, and providers have shown interest in reducing HIV prevalence and promoting health educational attainment among beneficiaries’ children especially among women who are vulnerable in most societies. Advocates of microfinance interventions have often stated it aims at improving lives by enabling clients to launch and nurture their own small businesses and enterprises so that they can become independent and improve their livelihoods. However, complementary to microfinance strategy is to assist clients in generating income and growing assets from the impact of crises events such as HIV and related diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Sub-Saharan Africa as compared to the rest of the world faces a serious HIV epidemic and the poor in general and women in particular are mostly at risk. This group of people is also the target for microfinance initiatives. The study reviews some theoretical and empirical literature about poverty, HIV and microfinance. The chapter establishes the fact that if microfinance can reduce poverty then it could also be used as a tool for preventing HIV infection. Policy recommendation that will enable microfinance institutions to contribute to the prevention of HIV, and its related diseases are offered.
A Competitive Approach to Financial Issues
Authors: Okur Mustafa , Gurbuz A. Osman
Published: November 2013

Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) is a cornerstone in modern finance theory. Efficient market hypothesis states that it is impossible to make abnormal returns in financial markets because financial asset prices always reflect all available information. This chapter was undertaken in order to give a brief survey of modern finance theory by mainly focusing on the efficient market hypothesis. The authors also discuss the empirical foundations of the efficient market hypothesis. Finally, the main challenges to the efficient market hypothesis are introduced in order to point out a perspective for future research.
Evidence for Some Underlying Time Series Momentum
Authors: Zoghlami Faten
Published: November 2013

The chapter documents significant and momentary momentum pattern in stock returns times series. Moreover, the chapter gives evidence that this time series momentum is the main driver of the cross-sectional momentum pattern. The temporary time series momentum pattern is midway between the behavioural and rational financial theories. Given the strong and positive autocorrelation in stock returns time series, the authors argue that investors are temporary under reacting, and they progressively find their full rationality. Using monthly returns inherent to all stocks listed on Tunisian stock market, from January 2000 to December 2009, the authors examine momentum strategy’s excess returns before and after considering time series momentum in stocks returns. Results show that momentum strategy is still profitable, but no longer puzzling. Furthermore, the chapter aims to reconcile between the behavioural and the rational financial theories, through the introduction of the progressive investors rationality.
Racial Differences in Financial Socialization and Financial Behaviors of U.S. College Students
Authors: Gutter Michael S. , Copur Zeynep , Blanco Amanda
Published: November 2013

This chapter focuses on the effect of race on financial socialization and financial behavior of college students. Data (N = 13,845) were collected from current college students age 18 and over via an online survey throughout the United States during spring and fall of 2008. Results from means comparisons showed significant differences on the financial socialization between Black and White college students. Logistic regression results suggest important relationship exist between race and financial behaviors. Black students were less likely to save and more likely to engage in risky credit card behavior than White students after controlling for the effects of all other variables.
Financial Distress and Bankruptcy Costs
Authors: Sami Ben Jabeur
Published: November 2013

Since the crisis of the 1930s and the early work of writers such as Fitzpatrick (1932), the problem of failure has become a field of investigation and research in its own right. According to Franks and Sussman (2005), a firm is defined as being in distress once the local branch or regional credit manager decides to transfer a status report to the monitoring unit of economic enterprises or responsible financial diagnosis. Such decisions may occur, especially for SMEs, in the case of violations of certain terms (non-payment of interest exceeding the overdraft limit ...) or following a poor assessment of the future of the firm by directors of credit (by reference to indicators such as high debt and low profitability). The objective of this chapter suggests analyzing the processes of the financial distress of companies and their impact.
Analysis of Spatial Price Efficiency in Rural and Urban Markets in Nigeria
Authors: Asogwa Benjamin C. , Ater Peter I. , Ezihe Jacqueline A.
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this chapter is to analyse spatial price efficiency of food products in rural and urban markets in Benue State, Nigeria. A weekly market survey was carried out for 40 weeks in rural and urban markets in Benue State in order to generate data for the study. The study indicated that price association existed between the base (urban) market and the supplying (rural) markets. There was great variability in the prices of food commodities between the base market and the supplying markets. The result of the study also showed that there was a marked price differential between the base market and the supplying markets. Furthermore, interactions between the base market and the supplying markets were characterized by marked imperfections and inefficiency in the marketing system. Price information, including its quality and availability should be enhanced. Storage facilities and other social amenities should be provided for farmers in the rural areas where agricultural activities are predominant.
Currency and Interest Rate Effect on Financial Ratios
Authors: Demirel Engin , Turkmen Sibel Yilmaz
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of currency and interest rates on selected financial ratios of technology firms. In a developing country, as an economic indicator, currency and interest rates have crucial impact on technology firms’ financial statements. The authors selected financial ratios from seven technology companies that were included in the technology index on Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) between the years 2001 and 2010. Findings suggest that Dollar and Euro-Turkish Lira currency affect the current ratio, Euro-Turkish Lira currency only affects the acid-test ratios and net working capital turnover, and Dollar currency and interest rates both have an effect on total asset turnover. Net profit margin ratio is only affected by interest rates changes. This analysis helps technology sector managers and shareholders to forecast the changing currency and interest rates in order to optimize their financial statements.
A Flipped Classroom Design for Preservice Teacher Training in Assessment
Authors: Nizet Isabelle , Meyer Florian
Published: November 2013

This chapter presents a strategy for designing a flipped classroom model (Khan, 2011) for the training of future teachers in a university context. This model was designed by a group of university professors with complementary expertise in didactics, learning assessment, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for education. This chapter describes their collective procedure, as well as the chosen design. The approach is based on an instructional systems design method called Méthode d’Ingénierie des Systèmes d’Apprentissage (MISA) (Paquette, 2004). The authors use this framework to describe the different stages of the design process while paying particular attention to the challenges posed by a hybrid model of training in higher education.
Flipping STEM Learning
Authors: Newman Dianna L. , Deyoe Meghan Morris , Connor Kenneth A. , Lamendola Jessica M.
Published: November 2013

The call for reform in education, based on the recognition of an increased role of technology, as well as the rapid advancement of technology types and uses, requires major changes to traditional methods of teaching. The purpose of this chapter is to present the results of the use of a flipped classroom approach in a higher education STEM course. The chapter includes information on the development and structure of the flipped classroom, the role of video lectures and active learning in supporting flipped instruction, the value of prior experience as a concomitant variable, and the benefits and limitations of the approach. Examination of findings supports this new method of instruction and learning; however, some student hesitance to move beyond traditional instruction suggests a need to implement the approach as a continuum, beginning with segments, then moving to a blended technique, with final transition into a totally flipped classroom. This process supports instructor development and student buy-in while allowing for formative assessment of resources and increasing of student efficacy.
Blend the Lab Course, Flip the Responsibility
Authors: Gallo Mark A.
Published: November 2013

An upper-level special topics course in Applied, Environmental, and Medical Microbiology was offered for the first time. It was decided by the author to offer it as a blended course. There were some compelling reasons to do so: first and foremost, it allowed class time to be spent doing what one should in a lab-intensive course: remark on current state of knowledge and literature, describe experimental design, discuss potential outcomes, troubleshoot technical problems as they arise, and offer suggestions regarding students’ research throughout the process. The ultimate goal and real value of the blended classroom in this instance was elevating the level of student responsibility and forcing them to view a science class as something more than a collection of facts: rather as a very active class, one that requires individual action. It was also designed to allow the students to participate in fundamental scientific research with the help of a mentor in a manner that was/is still practiced and in full view of peer review. The role of the faculty member changes to one of providing guidance instead of content in the classroom, and so it gives one more individual time with the students; this time can be used for diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment.
Global Kitchen Project
Authors: Yildiz Melda N. , Petela Altagracia , Mahoney Brianne
Published: November 2013

The Global Kitchen project promotes health education and 21st century skills using educational technologies among 2nd and 3rd grade elementary classrooms, offers creative strategies for developing culturally and linguistically responsive Universal Design for Learning (UDL) curriculum while integrating global education and media literacy skills into the curriculum with limited resources, and describes participants' reactions, discoveries, and experiences with new media. Situated within the context of teaching and learning, this Participatory Action Research (PAR) project aims to advance scientific knowledge of transdisciplinary project-based curriculum revolving around global nutrition education as a means to promote healthy eating habits among young children in low-income schools while developing media literacy skills and global competencies and offering the tools to teach children ages 8-10 years about nutrition in a meaningful, integrated way as well as outlining the impact of flipped classroom projects.
Modeling with Stochastic Fuzzy Differential Equations
Authors: Malinowski Marek T.
Published: November 2013

In the chapter, the author considers an approach used in the studies of stochastic fuzzy differential equations. These equations are new mathematical tools for modeling uncertain dynamical systems. Some qualitative properties of their solutions such as existence and uniqueness are recalled, and stability properties are shown. Here, the solutions are continuous adapted fuzzy stochastic processes. The author considers some examples of applications of stochastic fuzzy differential equations in modeling real-world phenomena.
Reaction-Diffusion Problems with Stochastic Parameters Using the Generalized Stochastic Finite Difference Method
Authors: Kamiński Marcin , Ossowski Rafał Leszek
Published: November 2013

The main aim of this work is to demonstrate the new stochastic discrete computational methodology consisting of the generalized stochastic perturbation technique and of the classical Finite Difference Method for the regular grids to model reaction-diffusion problems with random time series. The generalized stochastic perturbation approach is based on the given order Taylor expansion of all random variables. A numerical algorithm is implemented here using the Direct Differentiation Method of the reaction-diffusion equation with respect to the height of a channel in 1D problem; further symbolic determination of the probabilistic moments and characteristics is completed by the computer algebra system MAPLE, v. 14. Computational illustration attached proves that it is possible to determine using this approach up to the fourth order probabilistic moments and coefficients as well as to consider time series with random coefficients for any dispersion of the input variables. Stochastic fluctuations of the input uncertainty source are defined here as the power time series with Gaussian random coefficients having given first two moments.
Fuzzy Finite Element Method in Diffusion Problems
Authors: Chakraverty S. , Nayak S.
Published: November 2013

Diffusion is an important phenomenon in various fields of science and engineering. It may arise in a variety of problems viz. in heat transfer, fluid flow problem and atomic reactors etc. As such these diffusion equations are being solved throughout the globe by various methods. It has been seen from literature that researchers have investigated these problems when the material properties, geometry (domain) etc. are in crisp (exact) form which is easier to solve. But in real practice the parameters used in the modelled physical problems are not crisp because of the experimental error, mechanical defect, measurement error etc. In that case the problem has to be defined with uncertain parameters and this makes the problem complex. In this chapter related uncertain differential equation of various diffusion problems will be investigated using finite element method, which may be called fuzzy or interval finite element method.
Uncertain Static and Dynamic Analysis of Imprecisely Defined Structural Systems
Authors: Chakraverty S. , Behera Diptiranjan
Published: November 2013

This chapter presents the static and dynamic analysis of structures with uncertain parameters using fuzzy finite element method. Uncertainties presents in the parameters are modelled through convex normalised fuzzy sets. Fuzzy finite element method converts the structures into fuzzy system of linear equations and fuzzy eigenvalue problem for static and dynamic problems respectively. As such method to solve fuzzy system of linear equations, fully fuzzy system of linear equations and fuzzy eigenvalue problems are presented. These methods are applied to various structural problems to find out the fuzzy static and dynamic responses of the structures. Also the chapter analyses the numerical solution of uncertain fractionally damped spring-mass system. Uncertainties considered in the initial condition of the system.
Feral Systems as Institutional Phenomena
Authors: King Nelson , Azad Bijan
Published: November 2013

Feral systems, which sometimes manifest as computer workarounds, are recognized in the IT literature, but little attention has been paid to their persistence. The persistent reality of some computer workarounds may be traceable to discordant top-down institutional environmental pressures and bottom-up influences of day-to-day operational work. The authors build on the constructs of neo-institutional theory to de-black-box the workaround as situated practices built upon institutional logics of work practices, power to decouple by social actors, and material constraints of work. They extend the IT research on computer workarounds by casting them as emergent outcomes that exhibit institutional characteristics lending credence to the existence of feral information systems.
Sensemaking as Feral Information Systems
Authors: Houghton Luke , Mackrell Dale
Published: November 2013

In this chapter, the authors outline how feral information systems are part of a sensemaking process for employees. The core argument lies in the notion of sensemaking as a creation of a conceptual framework to explain disruptions in the flow of working life. As a response to disruptive ambiguity, those “making sense” often revert to causal explanations that help them come to grips with the situation at hand. The authors argue that, when work processes create disruptive ambiguity because of information systems, people in the system are likely to use feral systems to help them understand and tame (or make sense of) the ambiguity faced. They introduce a small case for discussion and conclude with some research questions.
Money
Authors: Craig Sarah
Published: November 2013

This chapter uses real-world case studies by following two companies introducing Enterprise Resource Planning Systems. The case studies give an overview of the introduction of the Enterprise Systems and detail how the Feral Information Systems came about. The chapter goes on to discuss various possible reasons for the introduction of the FIS, together with methods for avoidance. The chapter discusses whether cost cutting was partially to blame for the failure of the ERP implementations and the problems faced by the ERP implementation teams. Later on, the chapter discusses whether Cloud implementations and Agile project management methodologies may have a positive or negative impact on Enterprise Systems and Feral Information Systems.
Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems
Authors: Franchi Enrico , Poggi Agostino , Tomaiuolo Michele
Published: November 2013

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.
Encountering Strategic Management and Corporate Governance Issues within a Turbulent Environment
Authors: Khoury Grace C. , Amer Leila , Khalaf Zein
Published: November 2013

This case study examines strategic management issues related to corporate governance and CEO-Chair duality, which have led to the use of power and family control of a very profitable and successful public holding company that dominated the insurance industry in Palestine for 20 years. It specifically describes the incidents that made Hayat Insurance Company (HIC) vulnerable and unable to choose the right strategies to cope with external threats, such as the rising competition and the developing regulations during the 1990s. With government interventions, the situation deteriorated, and HIC was dissolved. The selected solution, to liquidate HIC by selling its license to another insurance company, was thought to be for the best interest of the various stakeholder groups. The case is based on interviews with major stakeholders including insurance experts, shareholders, board of directors, former employees and managers, and government officials in various departments.
Proactive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategies
Authors: Dawoudi Dahouk , Sabella Anton
Published: November 2013

This case attempts to shed light on a range of issues typically encountered in the business sector in Palestine. It illustrates innovative approaches to resolving socio-economic challenges and their implications on CSR practices, communication, and organizational behavior. It examines the leading role of the private sector in forging partnerships with universities to tackle the persisting and widening skill-employability gap and lack of business competitiveness. The case explores a program initiated by PADICO and built on a competence-based model, which is the first of its kind in Palestine. The model addresses unemployment among Palestinian youth and the undersupply of relevant skills to the job market that is handicapping Palestinian businesses. Despite the fact that it is a pilot program, PADICO’s partnering strategies serve as a case in point of the shift in CSR focus, namely from building reputation and engaging in philanthropic activities to proactively engaging in issues of education and competitiveness.
Leadership Consciousness to CSR
Authors: Sultan Suhail , Rjoub Imad
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this case study is to discuss the leadership role in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and thus on the company’s competitiveness, performance, and reputation. The case highlights the adoption of CSR as a long-term strategy in a manufacturing family business located within a highly volatile country in the Arab world where awareness of CSR is not prevailing. By interviewing the owners and senior managers of Royal Industrial Trading Company, one is able to understand how they view their social responsibilities and how they insert CSR into the company’s strategy. Royal has a number of corporate social responsibility policy aims but its current disclosures do not provide a sufficient level of detail to adequately assess the social impact of their activities or link their activities to the achievement of specific stated social aims. The company is enjoying the rewards of improved competitive position, the benefit to their shareholders, and the benefit to the society at large.
Can Women Say “No” to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
Authors: Karaki Flair J.
Published: November 2013

This case is about sexual harassment in the workplace and how the organization handles this problem. One of the female employees working for Delta Food Company was forced to resign from her job after management claimed that her performance was below average. The top management made this decision after a thorough discussion with her direct supervisor. The dismissed employee not only suffered from poor performance accusation but also from sexual harassment in the workplace. Delta was made aware of the sexual harassment the employee was facing; however, top management insisted on firing the victim. They did not perceive her to be an asset to the organization. She believed that their actions were a direct result of her courageous behavior in reporting complaints against the harasser after keeping silent for more than one and a half years. She assumed that Delta had the legal responsibility to reimburse her for damages resulting from sexual harassment.
Under Pressure
Authors: Khoury Grace C. , McNally Beverley
Published: November 2013

The aim of this case is to explore the influence of the external context on the internal setting in a Palestinian academic institution. Specifically, the case examines the role of context on the development of human resource policies and practices, the consequence of differing leadership and management styles, and the resultant interpersonal conflict that occurs. Informed by the empirical literature examining the Middle Eastern context, workplace envy, and interpersonal conflict, the case highlights the consequences of these issues. This includes the perceived abuse of power on the part of the manager and highlights the importance of quality human resource policies and practices in supporting the delivery of quality education. Among the recommendations is the implementation of a cultural change program to support management development and the empowerment of minority groups. In addition, the value of employee support programs, alternative mediation and disputes resolution processes are addressed.
Teamwork in the Palestinian IT Industry
Authors: McNally Beverley , Obied Muntaha
Published: November 2013

This case study explores the role of teams and teamwork in the IT industry in Palestine. The case company (PSC) implemented the use of self-managed, cross-functional teams in order to meet tight budgetary and time constraints for a new software product. PSC considered that the formation of these teams would contribute to improved productivity, ensure high quality outputs, while at the same time meeting the contracted deadlines. However, an evaluation of the success or otherwise of the initiative highlighted the importance of ensuring the type of team formed is appropriate to the context and culture in which the organization is situated. In addition, the case highlights the importance of management commitment to ensure a high level of cohesiveness is fostered through the proactive use of team formation and development processes.
The Royal Credit Bank Strategy and Transformation Program
Authors: Hjouj Khaled
Published: November 2013

This case discusses a strategic planning issue related to unplanned radical change. The Royal Credit Bank is the leading and largest lending bank in the Middle East. The bank suffered for a long time from bureaucracy, inefficiency, lack of productivity and misalignment with customers' needs for added value services. The Royal Credit Bank was approaching a change program of a scale and depth that occurs once in most employees’ lifetime. It would transform the bank’s business and operating models, culture, and leadership, impacting virtually every part of the organization. This had profound implications across strategy, leadership, people, and systems. This case highlights the impact of implementing large programs in an outdated banking environment where the challenge is beyond finding the solution. The real challenge was to make the solution work given the environmental issues and challenges faced by the leadership team to make things happen.
Bangla User Adaptive Word Speech Recognition
Authors: Firoze Adnan , Arifin Md Shamsul , Rahman Rashedur M.
Published: November 2013

The paper presents Bangla word speech recognition using two novel approaches with a comprehensive analysis. The first approach is based on spectral analysis and fuzzy logic and the second one uses Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) analysis and feed-forward back-propagation neural networks. As human speech is imprecise and ambiguous, fuzzy logic – the base of which is indeed linguistic ambiguity, could serve as a precise tool for analyzing and recognizing human speech. The authors’ systems revolve around the visual representations of voiced signals – the Fourier energy spectrum and the MFCC. The essences of a Fourier energy spectrum and the MFCC are matrices that include information about properties of a sound by storing energy and frequency in discrete time. The decision making process of their systems is based on fuzzy logic and neural networks. Experimental results demonstrate that their fuzzy logic based system is 86% accurate whereas the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) based system is 90% accurate compared to a commercial Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based speech recognizer that shows 73% accuracy on an average. Moreover, the authors’ research derives that, even though ANN gives a better recognition accuracy than the fuzzy logic based system, the fuzzy logic based system is more accurate when it comes to “more difficult” or “polysyllabic” words. In terms of runtime performance, the fuzzy logic based system outperforms the ANN based Bangla speech recognition system.
A Modified Fuzzy Hierarchical TOPSIS Model for Hotel Website Evaluation
Authors: Qi Shanshan , Law Rob , Buhalis Dimitrios
Published: November 2013

The performance of commercial websites is a critical issue that has a significant effect on consumers’ online decision-making. This study develops and applies a fuzzy model to assess the performance of hotel websites. It presents a fuzzy decision-making approach to the evaluation of tourism website performance that integrates consumer perceptions with a hierarchical model. The model consists of a fuzzy multi-criteria procedure that weighs evaluation criteria in a hierarchy structure and defuzzifies the matrix in a simpler and more accurate way. The study’s findings include a new website usefulness evaluation framework and a newly developed fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS model. The results from applying this model indicate that the functionality and usability dimensions are equally important for hotel websites. The ranking of hotel website performance is listed in terms of usefulness, functionality, and usability.
Knowledge Super Corridors in Southeast Asia
Authors: Han Chun Kwong
Published: November 2013

Developing countries in Asia are in the process of transitioning from a production economy to a knowledge-based economy. Various new knowledge and information communications technology mega-projects are being designed and executed at the international, national, state and industry levels to sustain competitiveness. The structures and processes by which these so-called “knowledge super corridors” are developed and implemented are complex economic-social-political decisions. The author develops an enhanced framework from critical theory, whereby the critical practice lens provides an iterative reflexive process, firstly by developing knowledge for understanding from structuration theory. Secondly, the author provides a critique of underpinning assumptions and presumptions whereby the constraining conditions of the status quo and emancipation become knowable and explicit, that is, knowledge for evaluation. Thirdly, the knowledge for action generated will enable the decision makers to re-create, re-define, re-design, re-imagine, re-invent and re-vision pragmatic, doable and implementable programs to transform a developing country into a k-economy. The author illustrates the value of the enhanced model using two case studies concerned with formulating and implementing a k-economy blueprint and developing a knowledge portal in emerging k-economies in Southeast Asia.
Softly Speaking
Authors: Han Chun Kwong
Published: November 2013

The Malaysian Government has been taking a radically new approach to national transformation in the past three years. The Government Transformation Programme was initiated in 2009, followed by the New Economic Model and Economic Transformation Programme in 2010, and subsequently political and rural transformation. The “Transformation Budget 2012” announced the “National Transformation Policy”. Presently, transformation can be perceived as the inception stage, as the various programmes will be undergoing a long continuous implementation journey into 2020. In order to make a real significant change to the country, the transformation needs to be driven from a synthesis of economic, managerial, organizational, social and technological dimensions at the multiple levels of the individual, organization, industry, government, society and nation. The author offers another way of seeing and doing transformation using a “theory of everything” based on simplicity and sophistication. The extant national transformation model of “Doing and Being” or Yin Yang is a simplicity model. As Malaysian academicians, we have a significant role to provide thought leadership by combining the “Doing and Being” with a sophisticated model based on an understanding the complexity of human behaviour. The author combines the Pemandu’s model with a model of sophistication based on an enhanced framework of critical practice. The author defines critical practice as an iterative reflexive process, firstly by developing knowledge-for-understanding from a sophisticated model of reality. Secondly, the author provides a critique of underpinning assumptions and presumptions whereby the constraining conditions of the status quo and emancipation become knowable and explicit, that is, knowledge-for-evaluation. Thirdly, the author re-creates, re-defines, re-designs, re-imagines, re-invents and re-visions the pragmatic, doable and implementable programmes from knowledge-for-action. This theory of everything provides a new vigorous theoretical model to review and redesign the practical methodology for implementation success of the national transformation programmes.
Post-Consumer Waste
Authors: Ene Corina
Published: November 2013

The complexity of purchase decision process goes beyond economic and human rationality boundaries, leading to increased amounts spent inappropriately, including, implicitly, significant quantities of post-consumer waste. Excessive waste of resources, reflected in massive quantities of abandoned goods on the one hand, and on the other - insufficient access to resources for a significant part of the world population - are topical issues that are based on overall irrational behavior of consumers and society, requiring global and local optimization by strategies involving all interested parties. The paper aims to formulate and emphasize actual problems and prospects regarding the rationality of consumer behavior towards waste creating and disposal, trying to answer the following question: given that the actual society is facing a series of irreversible ecological problems, what needs to be done in order to reduce post consumer-waste and to promote environmentally and resources friendly behaviors?
Measuring Scientific Research Performance of Human Resources in Romanian Universities
Authors: Tiţă Silviu-Mihail , Tiţă Carmen , Arustei Carmen Claudia
Published: November 2013

The article includes research on the performance of human resources devoted to scientific research in major universities from Romania. This is the first article that attempts to identify, using the Scopus and Web of Science international databases, the researchers with high results in terms of key indicators to assess this domain: number of ISI articles published and number of citations. In addition the authors try to highlight how is distributed the human resource involved in scientific research in various subfields in Romania.