bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Income inequality and mobility of rural households in China from 2003 to 2006
Authors: Sun Wenkai , Wang Xianghong , Bai Chong-En 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to illustrate the trends of income growth and income inequality and examines the dynamics and determinants of income mobility in rural China from 2003 to 2006.Design/methodology/approach– The authors decomposed the Gini coefficient by different sources and analyzed income mobility using the method of income transition matrix. The authors then estimated the effects of demographic variables, labor migration, and other household characteristics on income growth using a dynamic panel data model.Findings– The study obtained important findings on income mobility and income inequality in rural China. First, annual income inequality in rural China was smoothed during this period after a decline from 2003, with the largest contribution from the income of migration work. Second, income mobility remained rather stable and relatively high, with higher mobility in the interior provinces than in the coastal provinces. Third, the income levels of the poor and the wealthy households converged during this period after controlling other factors. Fourth, income growth depends on in the households' demographic composition, their human capital accumulation, and their chances of getting migration jobs.Originality/value– The sound econometric methods applied to the most current rural household survey data provide important contributions to the literature of income inequality and income mobility in China.
An evaluation model for digital libraries' user interfaces using fuzzy AHP
Authors: Lai Chin-Feng , Chiu Po-Sheng , Huang Yueh-Min , Chen Tzung-Shi , Huang Tien-Chi 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The aim of this paper is to improve the service quality of digital libraries (DLs) through an evaluation model for DLs' user interfaces. This evaluation model can provide a useful reference for existing DLs or relevant research.

Design/methodology/approach
– Relevant literature was synthesized, an evaluation framework was established, and the Fuzzy AHP was employed to investigate the evaluation model for DLs' user interfaces, obtain the relative weights for the importance of the evaluation criteria, and establish the priority ranking for the criteria of DLs' user interfaces.

Findings
– The top five criteria are ease of use, searching, language, presentation, and design, respectively. For users, an interface should be intuitive. Good interface presentation and design are critical when users evaluate a digital library.

Practical implications
– All of the students, teachers and experts considered that the presentation and design of DL user interfaces were what users had had contact with in the very beginning, and they were critical influential factors in DL user interfaces. Furthermore, ease-of-use and searching were fundamental interface functions, as well as important evaluation criteria. Interfaces should also provide interactive functions to improve interaction, while tailor-made services should be taken into account to establish an excellent interface in order to meet each user's need.

Originality/value
– The evaluation model for DLs' user interfaces employed in this study will help developers of DL user interfaces discover the criteria that they should aim for as a reference, perform comprehensive criteria evaluation according to their actual needs, and employ top criteria for evaluation.
School students’ introduction to the world of work
Authors: McKechnie Jim , Howieson Cathy , Hobbs Sandy , Semple Sheila 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to investigate the type of activities carried out by young people in a range of jobs that are typically undertaken by school students. The research examines opportunities for skill development in these jobs.Design/methodology/approach– The research consisted of a nationally representative survey of school students. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the variables which predict the likelihood that a school student will be employed in a job which has a higher “job activity score” as measured by the frequency and number of activities undertaken.Findings– In total, 38 per cent of school students were working at the time of the survey. The survey demonstrates the diversity of the employment experiences and the opportunities it provides for skill development. The analysis supports the view that this first exposure to employment may offer opportunities for skill development. Unlike previous research in Britain the study is able to explore the extent of variations between jobs.Practical implications– The data demonstrates the extent to which school students combine full-time education with part-time employment and the value of this experience. This raises questions about whether schools should engage with naturally occurring employment experiences.Originality/value– The paper uses a unique British data set to investigate what school students do in their part-time jobs, extending the hitherto limited research in this area. By addressing this issue the paper contributes to the debate regarding the value of this early exposure to the world of work.
The relationship between student's MBTI, preferences and academic performance at a Syrian university
Authors: M. Ayoubi Rami , Ustwani Bayan 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The main purpose of this paper is to find whether a correlation exists between students’ natural preferences or what is known as psychological type as determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); the extent of their enthusiasm measured by their level of “like” to the subject, and students’ grade point average (GPA).

Design/methodology/approach
– Data were collected from 89 students who took the MBTI inventory in five selected faculties at Damascus University in Syria. In order to rate the subjects’ like or dislike level, the students were asked to complete a form prepared for this purpose. The students’ GPAs were also included in the analysis.

Findings
– Using paired sample t-test, the results indicate a statistically significant correlation between type of student and his/her faculty of study, type of student and overall study subject like, and type of student and his/her GPA. There was, however, a statistically significant correlation between various personality dichotomies of the type (Extraversion-Introversion, Sensing-Intuition, Thinking-Feeling, Judging-Perceiving) and faculty, individual subjects like, and GPA. The study also indicates a statistically significant correlation between study like and GPA, and faculty and GPA. The most critical conclusion from the study is that Sensing-Intuition dichotomy of the MBTI inventory has the strongest correlation to distribution of students among faculties, the subject's like or dislike, and the GPA. In addition, the higher the level of like for a subject, the higher the GPA is.

Research limitations/implications
– The study results were based on a sample of students from a specific subject area of study. To validate the results of the study, future research is highly needed on a larger sample of students from different subject disciplines.

Practical implications
– Empirically, this study provides decision makers of the higher education sector with relevant information regarding the intended future attempts to reform the university admission policy with regards to the career path.

Originality/value
– The usefulness of MBTI inventory has not been assessed in the Arab countries before. This study is therefore considered as one of the initial studies in this field.
Training and labour needs of young workers in Vietnamese organisations
Authors: Goodwin John , O’Connor Henrietta , Quinn Martin 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is report on findings from a survey of Vietnamese employers in 2008 highlighting key tends in training and future labour needs.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper uses data collected from a survey of Vietnamese employers during 2008. The survey was design by the authors and the fieldwork undertaken by representatives of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Findings
– The survey shows that Vietnamese organisations understand the importance of training for their young workers but require more support from government and the VCCI to ensure effective training.

Practical implications
– The paper contains a number of practical implications for Vietnamese employers and the VCCI.

Originality/value
– Despite some opening of trade between Vietnam and the west, relatively little is still known about work, employment and training in Vietnam and there a few opportunities to undertake research of this nature. The main contribution of this paper is to report on current training practices and labour needs in Vietnam.
The road to facility management
Authors: Steenhuizen Dore , Flores-Colen Inês , Reitsma A.G. , Branco Ló Pedro 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into facility management in Portugal as well as in Europe and what a facility management study programme must entail in Portugal in order to implement this.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper describes the mixed-methods approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used based on extensive literature research of the subject. Semi-structured interviews were held with ten professionals from the FM field. The quantitative method was in the shape of a questionnaire sent to 40 professionals in Europe.

Findings
– The results show that Portugal is not on the same level as the rest of Europe when it comes to FM. Also, FM is rather of a technical nature and lacks service orientation and managerial elements. Moreover, Portugal should first focus on creating awareness about the field of FM and provide FM study programmes accordingly. Research shows that this could be a lengthy process.

Originality/value
– Currently there is no facility management study programme offered in Portugal. However, by gaining insight into this field and how facility management is of great added value to the market, a step closer to implementing a study programme is taken.
Discussion of facilities management as an academic discipline
Authors: Junghans Antje , O.E. Olsson Nils 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore what an academic discipline is and to apply and discuss this definition using facilities management as an example. The paper addresses an academic world that is facing the challenge of developing research and education in response to emerging disciplines and dealing with changes in the higher education system. Institutions are also confronted with the aim of the European Commission to “enhance the performance and international attractiveness of Europe's higher education”.Design/methodology/approach– A structured framework with six criteria outlining an academic discipline was applied to describe the state of the art of facilities management on the basis of systematical literature research. A survey was conducted with 215 contributions from the European Facility Management Network (EuroFM) and additionally 41 Master theses and 25 scientific papers were studied to gain up-to-date insights.Findings– This paper provides a methodical approach on how to analyse and describe emerging disciplines. In addition, an overview of the state of the art in facilities management is shown.Research limitations/implications– The methodological approach for the analysis of academic disciplines was tested using the example of FM. Before transferring the same methodology to other disciplines, researchers are advised to test and further develop the methodology for other disciplines.Practical implications– This paper includes implications for the development and discussion of emerging disciplines in the academic world.Originality/value– This paper contributes to a better understanding of academic disciplines and how they emerge.
Arab-uprising: an analysis from political economy perspective
Authors: Huq Pramanik Ataul 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This paper aims at examining the past as well as the current issues responsible for the most recent Arab-uprising.Design/methodology/approach– The empirical evidence based on regression and correlation together with tabular presentations suggests that the issue of Arab-uprising can be examined from both theoretical and factual evidence. Both theoretical and empirical findings testify the extremely high interrelationships existing among the determinants and co-determinants of Arab-uprising. Based on the three most fundamental pre-requisites for living a life with satisfaction based on personal honour, dignity, voice, peace, justice and equality of opportunity, the economic, political and socio-cultural components are found to be neglected in the Arab World. The constraint of data limited the scope to use systematically available and reliable independent variables, in particular, warranted by any sophisticated empirical model.Findings– The findings will have policy directions for the policy-makers/politicians to address the serious issues involving empowerments. It is argued that thead hocsolution based on buying the dissent of the critics using handouts is not a long-term sustainable solution to the problems. The findings are also expected to create social consciousness among those who are most concerned to see the changes in the society for betterment where every citizen can stand for his honour, dignity and voice, justice and equality.Originality/value– It is expected that the general reader can understand the issues raised in this paper, internalize the ideas and create an overall environment to redirect the policy frameworks for resolving the social problems without conflict.
Action Research for community business development
Authors: MacLeod Greg 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to introduce the idea of Action Research as a way of making academic research more relevant for social economic change.Design/methodology/approach– This paper seeks a middle path by presenting a method for Action Research that is both scientific and that results in practical social-economic impact on a local society. The method is divided into 11 systematic steps.Findings– The author has found that the method results in job creation and place-based economic development.Originality/value– Usually social activists and academic professionals do not mix. This approach combines both theory and practice, which is unusual in university circles.
Sense of community and perceptions of festival social impacts
Authors: M. Van Winkle Christine , M. Woosnam Kyle 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between psychological sense of community (SOC) and perceived social impacts of festival events.

Design/methodology/approach
– SOC was measured using the four-dimensional Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) and the Festival Social Impact Attitudes Scale (FSIAS) was used to measure perceived impacts. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires provided to residents of Caldwell, Texas following the annual Kolache Festival.

Findings
– Results revealed a relation between two dimensions of the BSCS, needs fulfillment and influence, and the way in which impacts are perceived. Specifically, needs fulfillment was positively related to social benefits and individual benefits. Needs fulfillment was negatively related to social costs. Influence related to impacts in the same manner.

Research limitations/implications
– This research provides support for a four-dimensional conceptualization of SOC and highlights the importance of examining the relation between psycho-social variables and perceptions of impact. Further research in additional settings is recommended.

Practical implications
– Results suggest that individuals with greater SOC are better able to perceive festival impacts and could be mobilized by festival administrators to address festival issues. Further research in additional settings is recommended.

Originality/value
– Empirical explorations of psychological SOC have been common in a range of community settings but have not received much attention with in the festival literature. Exploring how SOC is related to festival experiences can enhance theory development within this field of study as well as provide needed insight for festival administrators.
Semiotic representations of Olympic mascots revisited
Authors: Knight Peter , Freeman Ina , Stuart Stephen , Griggs Gerald , O’Reilly Norm 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to review Olympic mascots in the electronic and traditional communications environments.Design/methodology/approach– Olympic mascots from 2006 to 2012 are analyzed using a descriptive semiotic analysis technique.Findings– Results found that none of the 2006-2012 mascots clearly represented the two most recognizable icons of the Olympic movement, the Olympic Rings and the Olympic Flame. The association of the London 2012 mascots with the Olympic Games are found to be limited.Research limitations/implications– This research sets the stage for a number of future studies to further assess the management issues, social benefits, and potential missteps regarding mascots at the Olympic Games and other mega-events.Practical implications– The practitioner of today working for a mega-event like the Olympic Games needs to be aware of the potential benefits and inherent risks of developing and implementing a mascot.Originality/value– This research is the first to look specifically at Olympic mascots in the electronic age and contrast their use to traditional communications.
Utilising ethnography and participant observation in festival and event research
Authors: Jaimangal-Jones Dewi 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues surrounding the use of ethnography and participant observation in event studies. It considers the role and benefits of participant observation in terms of understanding event audiences and provides examples of the range of participant motivations and preferences such approaches can reveal and explore. As a methodological paper it focuses on the processes, challenges and benefits surrounding the utilisation of ethnographic methods within events research, with specific examples taken from an ethnographic study into contemporary dance music culture to contextualise the discussion.Design/methodology/approach– Ethnography and participant observation are flexible research approaches characterised by varying levels of participation in and observation of different cultural groups and activities. This paper focuses specifically on participant observation revolving around field trips, focus groups, internet research and key informant interviews.Findings– The challenges facing ethnographic researchers studying event audiences include identifying opportunities for observation and participation, identity negotiation for different research settings, their positioning on the participant observer spectrum, recruiting participants, recording data and the extent to which research takes an overt or covert approach, bearing in mind ethics and participant reactivity. It concludes that once these challenges are addressed, this multifaceted approach provides a valuable avenue for researchers exploring the range of socio-cultural forces at play surrounding event audiences and their experiences.Originality/value– It advocates a shift from attempts to quantify audience motivations and experiences, to methods which seek to understand them more fully through focusing on the entirety of the event experience and the influence of surrounding cultural networks and discourses.
The leadership journey Antony Sheehan
Authors: Sheehan Antony 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to trace the health management career of Antony Sheehan, a former executive in England's National Health Service and now president of the Church Health Center in Memphis, TN, and reveals principles that guide his management priorities.

Design/methodology/approach
– The approach is reflective, reading-based, and anecdotal.

Findings
– Three leadership priorities emerge: liberating talent, profound belief in knowledge, and purpose beyond self, all three being mediated by respect.

Research limitations/implications
– The narrative is not based on clinical research, but specific experience of the author.

Practical implications
– Readers may find inspiration to examine the principles that guide their own leadership efforts.

Originality/value
– Based in the author's own experience, the paper does not represent original research.
Veblen's evolutionary economics of religion and the evolutionary psychology of religion
Authors: G. Leathers Charles , Patrick Raines J. 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– Because belief in a supernatural agent with extraordinary power is rooted in psychology, Veblen's instinct psychology was the essential basis for his evolutionary economics of religion. The innate behavioral traits that Veblen called instincts in human nature are now recognized in evolutionary psychology as domain-specific mechanism that evolved as adaptations to enable human survival and reproduction. The authors aim to explain how the modern evolutionary psychology of religion provides a modern psychological basis for Veblen's evolutionary economics of religion.

Design/methodology/approach
– First, the authors review how Veblen's theory of an evolved human nature of instincts was applied to explain the origins of religion in primitive societies and remained a resilient force despite evolutionary erosion of institutional religion as science advanced. Second, the authors note how evolutionary psychology explains the origins of religion in terms of the functioning of domain-specific psychological mechanisms that evolved as adaptations for purposes other than religion.

Findings
– The similarities between Veblen's instinct psychology and the explanation of religion as by-products of domain-specific psychological mechanisms are sufficient to allow the conclusion that the evolutionary psychology of religion provides a modern psychological basis for Veblen's evolutionary economics of religion.

Originality/value
– An evolutionary economics of religion has a great social value if it provides credible explanations of both the origins of religious belief and innate tendency for religious belief to continue even as science refutes elements of religious doctrines. With a modern psychological basis, Veblen's evolutionary economics of religion accomplishes that purpose.