bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequoia maguanensis, a new Miocene relative of the coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, from China: Implications for paleogeography and paleoclimate
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Wei , D’Rozario Ashalata , Adams Jonathan M. , Li Ya , Liang Xiao‐Qing , Jacques Frédéric M. , Su Tao , Zhou Zhe‐Kun
Published: January 2015

• Premise of the study: The paleogeographical origin of the relict North American Sequoia sempervirens is controversial. Fossil records indicate a Neogene origin for its foliage characteristics. Although several fossils from the Miocene sediments in eastern Asia have been considered to have close affinities with the modern S. sempervirens, they lack the typical features of a leafy twig bearing linear as well as scale leaves, and the fertile shoots terminating by a cone. The taxonomic status of these fossils has remained unclear.

• Methods: New better‐preserved fossils from the upper Miocene of China indicate a new species of Sequoia. This finding not only confirms the former presence of this genus in eastern Asia, but it also confirms the affinity of this Asian form to the modern relict S. sempervirens.

• Key results: The principal foliage characteristics of S. sempervirens had already originated by the late Miocene. The eastern Asian records probably imply a Beringian biogeographic track of the ancestor of S. sempervirens in the early Neogene, at a time when the land bridge was not too cool for this thermophilic conifer to spread between Asia and North America.

• Conclusions: The climatic context of the new fossil Sequoia in Southeast Yunnan, based on other floristic elements of the fossil assemblage in which it is found, is presumed to be warm and humid. Following the uplift of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, this warm, humid climate was replaced by the present monsoonal climate with dry winter and spring. This change may have led to the disappearance of this hygrophilous conifer from eastern Asia.
L'agilité, nouvelle transformation pour l'entreprise
Authors: Legras Séverin
Published: January 2015

[organisation] Accueillir le changement avec bienveillance, placer la valeur au centre des décisions, transformer une organisation en douceur, libérer les énergies collectivement, voici quelques promesses intéressantes offertes par le mode de fonctionnement agile.
Accéder au droit : importance et défis de la consolidation
Authors: Girardot Thierry-Xavier
Published: January 2015

[fondamentaux] Légifrance, connu de tous, joue plus que jamais un rôle majeur. L’article retrace les dessous d’une réalisation remarquable.
Le Coepia : inciter les administrations de l'État à rationaliser les activités d'information et de publication
Authors: Garnier Olivier
Published: January 2015

[recommandations] Le Coepia agit en soutien des administrations pour rendre les plus efficients possibles les moyens alloués par l’État, en faisant, grâce au dialogue instauré entre divers acteurs, des propositions utiles pour améliorer la qualité du service rendu aux usagers.
Les images, un casse-tête
Authors: Verbrugge Joëlle
Published: January 2015

[image] Pour diffuser des images, si présentes aujourd’hui dans notre environnement, il est prudent de se poser une série de questions en termes de droit d’auteur et de droit à l’image.
L'Open Access pour les données de la recherche
Authors: Schöpfel Joachim
Published: January 2015

[recherche] Déposer des documents sur des plateformes où ils sont librement accessibles, quoi de plus banal ! Oui, mais dans ce cadre aussi, il convient d’éviter quelques pièges. Les voici résumés en quelques mots-clés.
Twitter, quel régime de responsabilité face à la haine ?
Authors: Iteanu Olivier , Iteanu Alexandra
Published: January 2015

[responsabilité] Après avoir rappelé les grands principes du régime de la responsabilité civile, les auteurs expliquent pourquoi Twitter a intérêt à reconnaître l’application de la loi pour la confiance dans l’économie numérique. Ceci suppose que l’éditeur de service en accepte les contraintes qui en découlent, ce qu’il n’a pas admis à ce jour.
Estimation des dépenses de publication de l'Inra dans un modèle théorique « Gold Open Access »
Authors: Andro Mathieu , Hologne Odile , Mahé Annaïg
Published: January 2015

L’étude publiée ici est le résultat d’une simulation menée à l’Institut national de la recherche agronomique (Inra) et dont l’objectif principal était de déterminer quels auraient été les coûts de diffusion en libre accès des articles publiés par ses équipes de recherche sur l’année 2011 selon un modèle Gold Open Access (ou « voie dorée ») dans lequel le financement est assuré par les auteurs et leurs établissements. Les auteurs de l’étude, Mathieu ANDRO, Odile HOLOGNE et Annaïg MAHÉ, comparent ensuite ces résultats avec les coûts en abonnements supportés par l’Inra. À l’instar des estimations récentes 1 de Wouter Gerritsma (Wageningen UR Library) au sujet de ce que coûterait le passage intégral au Gold Open Access aux Pays-Bas, la publication de ces résultats a pour objectif d’alimenter la réflexion collective sur l’opportunité de s’orienter vers ce nouveau modèle de diffusion.
La structure métapolitique de l'Occident
Authors: Esposito Roberto
Published: January 2015

Cet essai rappelle l’interprétation qu’ont donnée Carl Schmitt, Dolf Sternberger et Nicole Loraux du caractère essentiel de la politique. Celui-ci a un rapport intrinsèque avec ce que Joachim Ritter et Manfred Riedel ont essayé de penser à travers la catégorie de « métapolitique ». Mais c’est en se référant également aux grandes époques que décrit la philosophie de l’histoire de Hegel que l’auteur conclut que le noyau métapolitique de la politique est constitué par la relation antinomique entre inclusion et exclusion. La machine de la théologie politique, autour de laquelle s’articule depuis longtemps la politique occidentale, fonctionne en attribuant constamment le rôle du tout à une partie par le biais de la soumission et de l’exclusion d’une autre partie.
La laïcité suppose-t-elle une théologie politique ?
Authors: Pranchère Jean-Yves
Published: January 2015

Certains contre-révolutionnaires ont combattu la laïcité comme une contre-religion à laquelle il fallait opposer une théologie politique de l’autorité. Cette position impossible signale une tension réelle : dès la « religion laïque » de Renouvier et Buisson, la laïcité a été exposée à la tentation de sa propre sacralisation. Une réflexion théologico-politique pourrait servir ici à appuyer l’effort laïque pour échapper à toute « religion civile ».
Assemblées générales étudiantes et démocratie participative : un air de famille ?
Authors: Le Mazier Julie
Published: January 2015

Les normes et procédures utilisées dans les assemblées générales (AG) étudiantes de la fin des années 2000 en France relèvent d’une combinaison d’emprunts aux institutions représentatives et à des cultures militantes contestataires. Les étudiants semblent en revanche imperméables aux valeurs de la démocratie participative. Si les dispositifs participatifs institués et les AG se ressemblent, ce n’est donc pas dû à une diffusion des valeurs participatives dans les mouvements sociaux, mais plutôt au fait que les premiers sont en partie issus des mêmes cultures contestataires que celles où puisent ces dernières.
Participations ordinaires et extraordinaires. Des appropriations différenciées d'une offre institutionnelle de participation municipale
Authors: Petit Guillaume
Published: January 2015

Quelles sont les implications et les significations d’une offre de participation municipale ? À travers l’étude des appropriations différenciées d’une offre institutionnelle par les participants, nous interrogeons à quelles conditions, et dans quelle mesure, une telle offre peut convaincre des citoyens d’y prendre part. L’analyse des caractéristiques et des trajectoires des publics des dispositifs permet de contextualiser les innovations participatives dans un ordinaire de l’engagement local, et d’esquisser les conditions d’une participation non uniquement préfigurée dans les systèmes d’interconnaissance et de reconnaissance préalables. C’est à ces ajustements entre des dispositions et des contextes dans lesquels s’inscrivent les dispositifs participatifs que font référence les notions de participations dites ordinaires et extraordinaires. Cette recherche s’inscrit dans un questionnement plus large sur l’hypothèse de la demande sociale de participation, sa construction et sa prise en compte par les dispositifs participatifs. De là, interroger une offre de participation comme une opportunité saisie ou non par des citoyens, permet d’accéder à une gamme contextualisée de réponses à la question : comment les individus souhaitent-ils ou sont-ils en mesure de souhaiter participer à la vie démocratique ?
Concertation et tactiques citoyennes pour la création d'un équipement culturel à Bordeaux
Authors: Montero Sarah
Published: January 2015

L’action collective pour la réouverture et la gestion d’un équipement culturel, menée dans le cadre d’un dispositif participatif organisé par la mairie, démontre la capacité des citoyens à se doter de savoirs multiples ainsi que la nécessité pour ces derniers de déjouer les règles de la procédure institutionnelle, afin de peser dans la décision publique. Dans le rapport de pouvoir qui s’instaure entre élus et citoyens, la médiation de l’association apparaît comme un vecteur d’approfondissement du processus démocratique.
L'autisme entre psychanalyse et comportementalisme : quelques propositions
Authors: Schwab Emmanuel
Published: January 2015

Les débats actuels autour de l’autisme invitent à reprendre et clarifier les enjeux théoriques fondamentaux : comment comprendre la co-humanité et la spécificité des personnes avec autisme ? Les productions symboliques d’un enfant de huit ans permettront de mettre en évidence l’impact des spécificités de traitement sensoriel sur le vécu autistique. Nous proposons ensuite des éléments de dialogue théorico-pratique avec les conceptions comportementales du traitement des enfants avec autisme. Nous défendons ainsi l’idée d’une nécessaire fermeté thérapeutique pour créer un cadre protecteur et stimulant. Nous développons également l’idée que l’ajustement pragmatique au fonctionnement autistique est profondément amélioré par la possibilité de faire des hypothèses sur le vécu propre de ces enfants. Nous montrons dans ce sens comment un ancien texte de Freud propose des clés de lecture importantes pour comprendre le développement de la fonction miroir des personnes avec autisme.
Autour de l'accueil du bébé : intérêt d'une consultation transculturelle en maternité
Authors: Bossuroy Muriel , Serbandini Natascia , Drain Élise , Carbillon Lionel , Baubet Thierry , Ayosso Judith
Published: January 2015

Cet article présente un dispositif psychothérapeutique mis en place à la maternité Jean Verdier à Bondy : une consultation transculturelle qui accueille des femmes de différentes origines culturelles, ayant en commun d’être touchées par des problématiques migratoires. Nous présentons en détail le dispositif puis deux cas cliniques illustrant l’intérêt et la spécificité d’une telle consultation en maternité.
L'égalité femmes-hommes
Authors: Milewski Françoise , Sénac Réjane
Published: January 2015

L’Europe est considérée comme le moteur des politiques publiques d’égalité entre les sexes, en particulier à travers l’application par les États-membres du droit communautaire dans leur droit interne. Entre composantes législatives et instruments de soft law (comme l’approche transversale et la valorisation des « bonnes pratiques »), les politiques de l’UE pour l’égalité entre les sexes constituent ainsi un observatoire pour analyser les processus d’européanisation. Nous commencerons par aborder la spécificité des situations nationales avant d’analyser la dimension transnationale du droit communautaire de la non-discrimination. Nous éclairerons ensuite les politiques européennes d’égalité à travers quelques débats : des enjeux de la stratégie européenne pour l’emploi à l’articulation entre hard law et soft law , égalité femmes-hommes et européanisation.
Passer de l'austérité à l'investissement social, c'est à l'Europe de montrer la voie
Authors: Palier Bruno
Published: January 2015

Depuis 2010, les plans d’austérité se multiplient en Europe pour faire face à la crise de la dette des États et pour rassurer les marchés. Les mesures adoptées par les différents gouvernements européens, ainsi que les recommandations émises par les instances européennes, sont principalement de trois types : réformes de la protection sociale, privatisations, gel du salaire des fonctionnaires et réduction de leur nombre. Des coupes sont prévues dans les dépenses sociales, des réformes structurelles sont imposées : augmentation de l’âge de départ à la retraite, flexibilisation accrue du marché du travail, baisse des prestations chômage pour rendre le travail plus attractif, heures de travail obligatoire pour les bénéficiaire de l’assistance, compétition renforcée dans le domaine des services sanitaires et sociaux. Ces politiques mènent à la destruction de la cohésion sociale des pays du Sud et de l’Est de l’Europe et ruinent un peu plus encore le peu de solidarité existant entre les peuples européens. L’Europe doit demain montrer la voie des politiques à mener pour l’avenir et soutenir les pays dans les efforts pour investir dans le social.
Second Language Acquisition and the Impact of First Language Writing Orientation
Authors: Naqvi Samia , Thomas Jesudasan F. , Agha Kakul , Al-Mahrooqi Rahma
Published: January 2015

Arabic has a right to left writing orientation, whereas English, which Arab students learn as a foreign language, uses a left to right orientation. This reverse directionality leads to such issues as the jumbling and mixing of letters within words among adult learners. Hence, this chapter identifies, describes, and diagnoses Omani Arabic speakers' errors when writing English and also attempts to find the sources of these errors and possible remedies. It further seeks to determine whether these phenomena are transient in nature and thus subject to correction. Comparable populations of foundation-level students are studied and also the potential effects on adult learners of content delivery methods in English that mimic the writing orientation of their L1. In addition, EFL teachers with diverse multicultural backgrounds are surveyed to find the extent of the problem, the level of teacher awareness, and whether ongoing limited classroom intervention could tackle the problem.
Teaching and Learning to Write
Authors: Abraham Abraham Panavelil
Published: January 2015

Teaching writing is one of the most challenging tasks an EFL teacher has to face, and students find writing a difficult skill to develop. This chapter, however, focuses on Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) as a successful tool for tackling this problem. It defines TBLT and examines its importance for enhancing the writing skills of the EFL students, giving examples of tasks that have been successfully tried out in the classroom. The chapter also examines the use of various strategies for increasing EFL learners' involvement in reading-to-writing activities.
Pathways towards Success for Novice Academic Writers in a CLIL Setting
Authors: Adamson John , Coulson David
Published: January 2015

Courses taught in English are emerging in Japanese universities. From an English-education perspective, this raises the question of how best to prepare new undergraduates at various proficiency levels to move onto such courses. The authors investigate a class based on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) principles, with a focus on academic listening and writing tasks. Research (Dalton-Puffer, 2007) suggests that a CLIL approach may not be effective in developing the skill of writing. However, the results show that scaffolding of writing literacy assisted students towards developing autonomous academic skills. Specifically, students were encouraged to access materials and advice across the campus, with no restriction on L1 use. Consequently, in addition to linguistic development, the authors observed that the class became increasingly useful as a resource for future content classes themselves. This helped to give the class extra validity and support all students' motivation level.
Investigating Scaffolding Writing Instruction
Authors: Sutphen Aminah A.
Published: January 2015

Throughout the Arabian Gulf and beyond, higher education students face the challenge of learning to write academic essays in English though possessing limited ability in the language. Scaffolding writing techniques provide support for them as they learn about essay structure while working within their Zone of Proximal Development (i.e. in the metaphorical space between what learners can accomplish unassisted and what they cannot do on their own). This chapter discusses the results of classroom research on how scaffolding writing instruction in English affected tertiary student writing outcomes in the Sultanate of Oman. Instructional techniques used in the study, which include aspects of the Hammond and Gibbons (2005) macro and micro ESL scaffolding model, as well as modeling and collaborative writing, are discussed in detail. The results of the study found that using scaffolding writing techniques revived students' forgotten knowledge of essay structure during approximately ten hours of instruction. In addition, data showed that students favored this instructional strategy.
Correct Writing and Spelling in the ESL Classroom
Authors: Jayaraman Seetha
Published: January 2015

Writing is an activity that serves as a link between theory and practice. Learning to write involves the basic level of learning to spell a spoken word or phrase and the advanced level of learning to write creatively. This chapter discusses the practical challenges faced by the teacher and student in learning to spell words and applying the rules of grammar in English. Authentic examples are drawn from writing samples from the ESL classroom, produced in a session of timed writing when teaching academic writing skills to undergraduate learners in Oman's Dhofar Region. The results of the study point to the use of a bilingual approach as a very useful method for bringing out the similarities and differences in the use of the target language. This minimizes Mother Tongue interference in students' writing in English.
Design and Implementation of a Fuzzy Inference Model for Mapping the Sustainability of Energy Crops
Authors: Cavallaro Fausto , Ciraolo Luigi
Published: January 2015

Energy crops are positioned as the most promising renewable energy sources. Over recent years, the use of biomass has been growing significantly, especially in countries that have made a strong commitment to renewable sources in their energy policies. One of the aspects of the use of biomass for energy is that it is still controversial with regard to full environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, the existing environmental evaluation tools in many cases are unable to manage uncertain input data. Fuzzy-set-based methods, instead, have proved to be able to deal with uncertainty in environmental topics. The idea of this chapter is to reproduce a solution by decoding it from the domain of knowledge with the calculus of fuzzy “if-then” rules. A methodology based on Fuzzy Inference Systems (FIS) is proposed to assess the environmental sustainability of biomass.
Comprehensive Methods for Dealing with Uncertainty in Assessing Sustainability Part 2
Authors: Pilar de la Cruz M. , Castro Alberto , del Caño Alfredo , Gómez Diego , Lara Manuel , Gradaille Guillermo
Published: January 2015

In the previous chapter, the MIVES and MIVES – Monte Carlo methods were presented. MIVES is based on requirement trees, value functions, and the analytic hierarchy process. It helps integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators in a global sustainability index. Deterministic models can cause significant problems in terms of adequately managing the sustainability objective of a project. A method not only has to estimate the potential sustainability index at the end of the project. It also has to evaluate the degree of uncertainty that may make it difficult to achieve the sustainability objective. The MIVES – Monte Carlo method employs simulation to solve this problem. This chapter presents an alternative method, based on MIVES and fuzzy arithmetic. Different defuzzification parameters are proposed. An example of potential application related to heating and air conditioning systems in residential buildings is put forward. The advantages and drawbacks of using both methods are summarized.
Fuzzy Logic in Wind Energy
Authors: Goiti Imanol López
Published: January 2015

The use of wind energy for power generation purposes plays a major role in the current electrical market and is becoming increasingly attractive. The good exploitation of this kind of energy may improve the power generation capabilities and therefore reduce generation costs. Fuzzy Logic methodology can be used to improve the current technology. In this chapter, Fuzzy Logic is proposed as a technique that assesses wind sites and predicts annual generation for wind turbines. Moreover, it is also proposed to maximize the power search and control the power electronic converter of the wind turbine. Fuzzy Logic should be considered as a real alternative to the typical methods for the exploitation of wind energy. It can improve wind power generation with high performance and efficiency.
Evaluation of Renewable Energy Alternatives using Hesitant Fuzzy TOPSIS and Interval Type-2 Fuzzy AHP
Authors: Öztayşi Başar , Kahraman Cengiz
Published: January 2015

The selection among renewable energy alternatives is a fuzzy multicriteria problem with many conflicting criteria under uncertainty. In many decision-making problems, the Decision Makers (DM) define their preference in linguistic form since it is relatively difficult to provide exact numerical values during the evaluation of alternatives. Therefore, in many studies, fuzzy logic is successfully used to model this kind of uncertainty. In this chapter, the authors try to capture this uncertainty by using interval type-2 fuzzy sets and hesitant fuzzy sets. They propose a fuzzy multicriteria method for the evaluation of renewable energy alternatives, in which the priority weights of the criteria are determined by interval type-2 fuzzy AHP, and the alternatives are ranked using hesitant fuzzy TOPSIS. A case study is also given.
Measurement of Electricity Distribution Service in India by Soft Computing Technique (ANN)
Authors: Satapathy Suchismita
Published: January 2015

Indian electric power division networks have evolved under certain assumptions. Industry architectures that bear multidirectional information exchange between the regulatory rules and the technology developers are likely to move toward to achieve optimal performance. Currently, very little attention is given to the potential for quality of service discrimination and improvements and/or cost reduction of electricity sector. Effective customer satisfaction investigation is a very important prerequisite for power supply enterprise to win in the market competition. It has for some time been realized that the performance of a service industry such as the electricity providers of a local authority is likewise evaluated by its consumers on the quality of its service delivered to the consumer. Therefore, in this chapter, efforts are taken to use an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to evaluate service quality in an electricity utility industry.
How Brands Communicate Sustainability Messages in Emerging Markets
Authors: Göçer Aysu , Tuğrul Tuğba Örten
Published: January 2015

Sustainability is becoming a key concept of competitiveness for brands around the globe. Brands incorporate sustainability into their strategic plans and communicate messages with an aim to attract consumers. In this context, Web and social media are important communication platforms to access to a large number of target consumers. It is now considered to be critical to understand the extent to which brands use such platforms to communicate their sustainability messages, especially in emerging markets where world trade is expanding towards. In this chapter, sustainability-focused communication strategies and messages of the top 100 Turkish and 100 global brands on websites and social media platforms, namely Facebook and Twitter accounts in Turkish language, are examined by content analysis. Their approaches in delivering messages and publicizing practices about different sustainability dimensions in different platforms are also compared. The results indicate important implications for brands to highlight their sustainability messages online.
Broadening the Concept of Green Marketing
Authors: Alikılıç Özlem
Published: January 2015

This chapter investigates the concept of strategic corporate social responsibility to broaden the concept of green marketing. The guiding thesis is that social marketing has evolved throughout the decades and has led to strategic corporate social responsibility. There is, however, a lack of consensus on the definition of corporate social responsibility as the fundamental norm of this strategic state. In this chapter, a strategic framework that offers to broaden the concept of green marketing is provided. This chapter also explores the nature of strategic corporate social responsibility with a view towards understanding its components. Then discussion is framed by CSR theories and critical approaches.
Sustainable Waste Management
Authors: Gören Sami
Published: January 2015

This chapter discusses waste management from the viewpoint of sustainability. Waste is generated anytime and anywhere. As human life goes on, it is not possible to avoid the generation of waste. The aim, in this situation, is not to avoid the generation of the waste—minimize maybe—but to separate waste according to the types and avoid paying unnecessary costs for useless treatment and (just the opposite) gain the advantage of gaining income from the waste. Waste reduction in the individual and industrial level will be discussed in the sense of integrated waste management. Sustainability can only be executed only if the waste allows beneficial revenue. Separating and processing the wastes accordingly will help in solving the waste problem and also derive profit.
A Modern Approach to Sustainable Resource Management
Authors: Tenikler Gökhan , Selvi Murat Selim
Published: January 2015

The starting point of this chapter is the weakening ability of natural resources to meet the growing and diversifying needs of mankind. This chapter aims to draw attention to the “Ecological Footprint” as a measurable concept of impact of the production and consumption activities on the natural environment. However, every country demands more resources than it has, and developed countries, with their production and consumption patterns, are becoming the primary actors of injustice in the distribution of resources. As seen in the data used in this study, from individuals to countries, ecological footprint is growing steadily, whereas biocapacity to meet the needs is shrinking steadily. By using statistical data demonstrating the ecological footprint and biocapacity changes and differentiation among the countries by years, this chapter clearly reveals the need for a sustainable resource management.
How Can We Achieve Sustainability?
Authors: Salman Doaa , Tarkhan Farah , Mohamed Nada , Farouk Alia , Kamal Donia
Published: January 2015

The importance of adopting sustainable development is facing many challenges that affect political decisions and social changes. Many countries are facing the conflict between the development of businesses and economic growth and saving the environment. Unfortunately, sometimes people choose to neglect the environment and consequently harm themselves in an indirect way. Some countries take certain measures to fight pollution and global warming and to achieve sustainable development. Such measures can be seen in their policies. For example, Switzerland, Sweden, and Japan have imposed environmental policies that target better resource management. This chapter discusses the cases of the successful resource management systems making them a role model for other countries to target achieving sustainable development.
The Effect of Low Employee Turnover Ratio on Bank Profitability in Turkey
Authors: Dinçer Hasan , Hacıoğlu Ümit , Tuğsal Türker
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize the effect of bank employee turnover on profitability. Researchers so far have commonly studied employee turnover, job satisfaction, and commitment. The current research intends to fill the gap by focusing on the relationship between employee turnover and profitability. In this chapter, firstly, employee turnover, its terminology, and the nature of turnover are defined. This relationship in the banking sector is analyzed and three private banks in Turkey are scrutinized. The main argument of the research is that there is an adverse relationship between employee turnover and bank profitability. Conversely, the results of the study do not thoroughly support the assumption. As a result, findings show that banks minimize the effects of economic crisis by dismissal and not recruiting new employees to replace a quitting worker or recruiting for a new position.
Smart Government
Authors: Jiménez Carlos E. , Falcone Francisco , Solanas Agusti , Puyosa Héctor , Zoughbi Saleem , González Federico
Published: January 2015

The advent of Smart Cities is one of the greatest challenges and field of opportunities in the goal to achieve sustainable, comfortable, and socially responsible living environments. A large number of factors, spanning from government/administration/citizen interaction models, heterogeneous communication network, interoperability, or security determine the capabilities and functionalities that can be deployed. In this chapter, different factors in the implementation and adoption of E-Government within Smart City scenarios are described. The authors include the Interoperability Principle as a part of the Open Government concept and link this concept with the Smart Cities view. Then, they describe a new model of public organization that they call “Intelligent,” characterized by the “Smart Government,” and they propose a matrix with the elements of this model. Then, the authors analyze the technical and infrastructure dimensions of the matrix.
Raising Citizen-Government Communication with Business Process Models
Authors: Araujo Renata , Cappelli Claudia , Engiel Priscila
Published: January 2015

This chapter draws out the challenge of how to provide information to citizens with respect to organizational business processes, particularly public service processes. The aim is to discuss the issues concerning organizations' disclosure to citizens, particularly in describing how services are performed in these organizations. It relies on the idea that an urgent step to improve citizen participation in public matters, especially in public service delivery, is to provide citizens with ways to understand how and why internal processes must be conducted. The chapter reports on how business process models can be used for organizational communication and describes proposals to extend this communication to external actors. The conclusion presents remarks on challenges and future work.
Towards the Integration of E-Government Process in the University of Murcia
Authors: Re Jesús D. Jiménez , Martínez-Carreras M. Antonia
Published: January 2015

Several countries are adopting e-government strategies for adapting the administrative procedures to automated process with the aim of obtaining efficient and agile processes. In this sense, the European Union has published some directives which indicate the need for European countries to adopt e-government in the public administration. Additionally, the Spanish government has published laws and documents for supporting the adoption of e-government in the different public administration. Concretely, the University of Murcia has developed a strategy for the adoption of e-government using a service-oriented platform. Indeed, this strategy has evolved for the adoption of BPM for its administrative processes. The aim of this chapter is explaining the strategy for the adoption of business processes in the University of Murcia.
E-Government Documents and Data Clustering
Authors: Šimić Goran
Published: January 2015

This chapter is about documents and data clustering as a process of preparing the information resources stored in the e-government systems for advanced search. These resources are mainly represented as textual data stored as field values in the databases or located as documents in file repositories. Due to their growth in number, search for some specific information takes more time. Different techniques are used for this purpose. Most of them include information retrieval based on a variety of text similarity measures. The cost of such processing depends on preparation of resources for searching. Clustering represents the most commonly used technique for such a purpose, and this fact is the basic motive for this chapter.
Semantic Framework for an Efficient Information Retrieval in the E-Government Repositories
Authors: Martín Antonio , León Carlos
Published: January 2015

An enormous quantity of heterogeneous and distributed information is stored in e-government repositories. Access to these collections poses a serious challenge, however, because present search techniques based on manually annotated metadata and linear replay of material selected by the user do not scale effectively or efficiently to large collections. The artificial intelligence and Semantic Web provide a common framework that allows knowledge to be shared and reused in an efficient way. This chapter proposes a comprehensive approach for discovering information objects in large digital collections based on analysis of recorded semantic metadata in those objects and the application of expert system technologies. The authors suggest a conceptual architecture for a semantic search engine. They use case-based reasoning methodology to develop a prototype. OntoloGov is a collaborative effort that proposes a new form of interaction between citizens and e-government repositories, where the latter are adapted to users and their surroundings.
Perception of Corporate Social Responsibility by the Employees
Authors: Nedelko Zlatko , Potocan Vojko
Published: January 2015

The main purpose of this chapter is to examine the relationships between three underlying aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), namely economic, environmental, and societal aspects, and the level of CSR, as perceived by the employees. The strength and direction of the impact of a single underlying aspect of CSR, on the level of CSR in organizations, is examined through a sample of 288 employees in Slovenian organizations. Results from the empirical survey suggest that employees' higher concern for environmental and social issues increases the level of organizational CSR, while higher striving for solely economic outcomes lowers the level of organizational CSR. Findings in this chapter provide insight into the state of CSR in organizations as perceived by the employees, providing an important starting point for definition or re-thinking of strategies in relation to CSR, and as a starting point for other actions as well, like changes in academia.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Authors: Ciani Adriano , Diotallevi Francesco , Rocchi Lucia , Grigore Anna Maria , Coduti Cinzia , Belgrado Elisa
Published: January 2015

CSR is a driver unanimously recognized by companies. This is more important looking to the Horizon 2020 objectives, in which CSR will play an important role. However, at present, there are a lot of theories and regulations about CSR, which are controversial, complex, and unclear. In this confusing landscape, a critical element emerged: the importance of social enterprise as key. The authors, after a brief summary about the main CSR theories and the principal normative aspects to frame the issue, focus their attention on new sustainable models, with particular referring to the social enterprise. The authors base their starting idea on national CSR approach and support their hypothesis of CSR by bringing examples from various countries (United States, Switzerland, Germany) and from important companies. In their conclusion, the authors clarify their idea about the correct CSR approach, introducing the concept of the Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Analyzing CSR's Expectation Gap through the World System Differential
Authors: Kaufmann Götz
Published: January 2015

This chapter critically approaches the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on the theory level with a new theory frame called World System Differential (WSD). The new frame has been developed by bringing together Luhmann's system theory, Grosfoguel's world system, and Irigaray's theory on gender equality empowerment. The principle assumption here is that CSR unchangeably consists of many contradictive definitions. This allows for framing CSR as an expectation gap. Applying the WSD to the CSR field, the expectation gap is analyzed as an idealized conception that is shaped by a proposed universal that everyone is assumed to desire in the same way. As result, the chapter shows that we must verstehen (Weber) CSR in its contradictive reflections by different societal rationalities, which by nature discriminates against the less powerful opinion holders. For this, the WSD can show its analytical usefulness as both a theoretical and a methodological tool.
Branding as a Tool for CSR
Authors: Kujala Johanna
Published: January 2015

This chapter addresses the field of responsible brands and branding and explores core elements of building a responsible brand in a company. Existing literature on responsible brands and branding is reviewed, and as a result of this review, six key components of responsible branding are depicted: (1) integrating CSR into the core of the brand, (2) engaging stakeholders, (3) engaging organisational members, (4) implementing, (5) communicating responsibility commitments, and (6) assessing the achievements of responsible branding both internally and externally. To illustrate how responsible branding can be used as a tool for companies to explicate their CSR activities, two case studies are presented in this chapter, which is concluded by the notion that both inside-out and outside-in approaches can be effective when using branding as a tool for CSR: nonetheless, this would be subject to the different actions taken by different companies, which become crucial.
Corporate Sustainability Programs and Reporting
Authors: Kay Mark J.
Published: January 2015

Building upon the thesis of Baden and Harwood (2013) that “terminology matters” in describing sustainability programs and corporate social responsibility reporting efforts, this chapter examines how an organization rhetorically self-defines its specific degree or level of “responsibility” in a particular industry or within an industry sector in its actions as well as its non-financial reporting efforts. Starbucks's evolution in developing sustainability programs and their sustainability reporting over a 12-year period are examined as a case example. Being both praised and criticized, Starbucks provides an instructive example of the evolution of corporate responsibility in a customer-facing enterprise. A model of both internal and external drivers of corporate social responsibility and sustainability progress is proposed and applied to the Starbucks case.
Distance Learning in Architecture/Planning Education
Authors: Meshur H. Filiz Alkan , Bala Havva Alkan
Published: January 2015

This chapter introduces asynchronous learning, which is rapidly becoming a key element of institutional teaching and learning strategies with many academic departments seizing the opportunity to use new technologies to enhance their educational provision. It argues that design education has not been well served by asynchronous learning tools despite their many advantages. Educators are reluctant to use these tools due to the preconception of the unique nature of the studio-based learning of design. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an alternative media supporting the traditional studio for architectural/planning education that comprises digital pedagogy. Furthermore, the authors hope to bring about a better understanding of the reasons why asynchronous learning has been implemented by schools of architecture, how educators incorporated asynchronous learning into their curriculum, what advantages might be achieved, what kind of difficulties schools might encounter, and how they could be overcome in the case studies in architectural schools in Turkey.
A Comparative Study of Business and Engineering Students' Attitude to Mobile Technologies in Distance Learning
Authors: Ahrens Andreas , Zaščerinska Jeļena
Published: January 2015

Mobile technologies are widely employed in distance learning in higher education to provide students with an opportunity to learn regardless of time and place in order to obtain a higher education degree. However, little attention has been paid to a comparative study of business and engineering students' attitudes toward mobile technologies. The aim of the chapter is to compare business and engineering students' attitudes toward mobile technologies in distance learning, underpinning elaboration of a hypothesis. The meanings of the key concepts of distance learning, blended learning, and attitude are studied. Moreover, the study demonstrates how the key concepts are related to the idea of mobile technologies and shows how the steps of the process are related: students' attitudes toward mobile technologies in distance learning? empirical study within multicultural environments ? conclusions. The results of the present research show that both business and engineering students' attitudes toward mobile technologies are positive.
Leveraging Asynchronous Online Instruction to Develop Elementary School Mathematics Teacher-Leaders
Authors: Polly Drew
Published: January 2015

This chapter describes how the author leveraged asynchronous online instruction to develop elementary school teacher-leaders' knowledge of elementary school mathematics content and pedagogies in a graduate program in the United States. This chapter provides the theoretical framework of learner-centered professional development and explains how the six courses in the program embody the framework and support teachers' development of knowledge and skills related to mathematics teaching and learning. This chapter also shares the findings of a study that evaluated teacher-leaders performance on five student-learning outcomes in the program as well as feedback on course evaluations and end-of-program surveys. Data analysis indicated that every teacher-leader demonstrated proficiency on each student-learning outcome. Implications for the design of asynchronous online programs are also shared.
M-Learning in the Middle East
Authors: Marinakou Evangelia , Giousmpasoglou Charalampos
Published: January 2015

The introduction of e-learning in higher education has brought radical changes in the way undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are designed and delivered. University students now have access to their courses anytime, anywhere, which makes e-learning and m-learning popular and fashionable among university students globally. Nevertheless, instructors are now challenged, as they have to adopt new pedagogies in learning and teaching. This chapter explores the adoption of m-learning at universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the relevant current developments and challenges related to the major stakeholders (educators and students) in higher education. It mainly investigates the educators' views and perceptions of m-learning, as well as its future potential in higher education. Most of the educators use m-learning tools to some limited extent, and there is still opportunity to reach full integration with curriculum and the blended learning approach. Further, it is proposed that professional development should be provided to instructors to enable them to use the available new technologies in an appropriate and effective way.
Integrating Diversity into Organization and Career Development
Authors: Hughes Claretha
Published: January 2015

This chapter's goal is to describe the confusion that occurs within organizations where there is no clear definition of diversity from which all employees operate. Integrating diversity into organization and career development is vital but cannot occur without an operational definition of the term diversity. There is also misunderstanding between the terms career management and career development. The terms are not interchangeable, although they are treated as though they are within organizations. Eliminating the confusion and misunderstandings will assist organization leaders' efforts to integrate diversity into organization and career development.
Career Management and Human Resource Development of a Global, Diverse Workforce
Authors: Konyu-Fogel Gyongyi
Published: January 2015

Career management and human resource development that focus on developing long-term capabilities within the organization are crucial to build core competencies and competitive advantage in a global environment. This chapter examines career management and human resource development factors of global competencies in management and leadership. Recent trends and research indicate that successful career management systems utilize organizational practices, processes, and people with capabilities for proactive decision making, information sharing, analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and innovation. Career management in a fast-changing environment must include continuous learning, cross-cultural and social understanding, communication skills, ability to differentiate and integrate information, tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity, positive attitude, and openness to learning new things. Human resource development in a global economy should include global understanding and competencies necessary for managing a global workforce. The author discusses trends and best practices of 21st century leadership for developing capabilities for competitive advantage through human resources.
Workforce Diversity Career Development
Authors: Scott Chaunda L. , Sims Jeanetta D.
Published: January 2015

As workforce diversity careers in organizations continue to increase in the United States, less emphasis has been placed on preparing undergraduate and graduate students with specific workforce diversity competencies to pursue these career options once they graduate. The aim of this chapter is to: 1) highlight the issues, problems, and controversies associated with this effort, 2) provide examples of workforce diversity career positions and competencies that workforce diversity professionals possess today in a variety of fields, and 3) offer recommendations regarding how institutions of higher education can begin preparing students with specific workforce diversity competencies to enter the career field of workforce diversity before they graduate.
Understanding the Impact of Inclusion in Disability Studies Education
Authors: Thoms Charlotte L. V. , Burton Sharon L.
Published: January 2015

Educators and practitioners are faced with the transitioning and intersection of two diverse disability studies education models—the medical model and the social model—and the models' effects on career development. This chapter focuses on how individuals with disabilities were transitioned into diversity and inclusion processes and then integrated into the organization and career development structure. Once left out of the measures of performance through education, learners with disabilities, in 1997, clearly became identified in the federal and state answerability systems. This chapter advocates for the social model. Additionally, respondents show how self-identifying as a person with a disability, even anonymously, can be difficult for some people. Readers will better understand the terms diversity, disability, and inclusion through the disability studies lenses, but the question remains, Have we come a long way or are scholars and practitioners floundering in today's society and lacking understanding about diversity through unclear comprehension regarding disability?