bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expectations and Job Satisfaction of Local-Government Professionals
Authors: deLeon Linda , Taher Walied 
Published: March 2007

Based on theories of job satisfaction and the motivating potential of professional work, we would expect public-sector professionals to express a level of satisfaction higher than that of other workers, yet this is not clearly the case. While some previous research has found that professionals have higher levels of job satisfaction than lower-level workers, other studies indicate that publicsector professionals are less satisfied than their private-sector counterparts and are no more satisfied than blue-collar workers. This study surveys local-government professionals (N = 125) in Colorado to determine their job satisfaction and their expectations of intrinsic satisfaction from work. They rated their work much higher in motivating potential than comparable groups of professionals and expressed significantly higher job satisfaction. Although most said their expectations for interesting work were more than met on the job, a major fraction expressed unmet expectations for power and authority and for recognition. The findings confirm previous research showing the importance of social relations and intrinsic factors in predicting job satisfaction but fail to support the generalization that public-sector professionals experience problematically low job satisfaction or that they find their jobs relatively low in motivating potential.
The Hierarchical Structure of Intermediate Markets: A New Approach to the Analysis of Trade Flow Tables
Authors: Tininga Ronald 
Published: March 2007

The analysis of business-to-business markets is important for marketing managers and public policy makers alike. After all, market exchanges among intermediate sectors are generally around 67% of all market exchanges, yet almost no tools have been developed to systematically analyze business-to-business markets at the macro level. The conversion of input-output tables into trade flow tables is an important step in the analysis of marketing system structures. In this context, triangulation provides a tool to examine the sequence of suppliers and customers in intermediate markets in a longitudinal and cross-sectional manner. In this article, triangulation is applied to the Dutch trade flow table in order to analyze the sequence of market exchanges in the Dutch intermediate markets.
Synthesis of Control Systems for Manipulators Using Multivariable Robust Servomechanism Theory
Authors: Desa S. , Roth B. 
Published: March 2007

This paper describes a framework for synthesizing control laws for manipulators based on robust servomechanism theory for multivariable linear systems. This framework takes into account the coupled and nonlinear nature of the differen tial equations describing the manipulator as well as the fact that the inputs and outputs are subject to large excursions. The robust servomechanism theory is applied to the linear system that results when the overall, nonlinear, dynamic system is split, in the standard manner, into a nominal sys tem and a (linear) system linearized about the nominal. A control law for the linear system is then derived on the basis of linear quadratic regulator theory. To ensure good dynamic response, the implicit model-following technique is used to choose the weights in the resulting performance index. The theory is then applied to design a control law for a two-degree-of-freedom spatial manipulator following a pre scribed trajectory. The effect of changing the speed and iner tias of the manipulator on the gains prescribed by the control law is also discussed.
Competitive and Non-Competitive Goal Structures: An Analysis of Motivation and Achievement among Elementary Band Students
Authors: Austin James R. 
Published: March 2007

This study examined the effects of competitive and non-competitive goal structures, level of music self-esteem, and pre-post administration on dependent measures of student achievement and motivation in music. Forty- eight, 5th- and 6th-grade band students were randomly assigned to either a competitive (rewards based on absolute standards) or non-competitive (all participants rewarded for typing their best) goal structure. Goal structures were operationalised as music contest settings; all students prepared and performed accompanied solos for adjudication. Pre-test and post-test data were obtained for two measures of music achievement (aural-visual discrimination, performance) and two measures of music motivation (attribution orientation, intrinsic interest). Data were analysed using split-plot analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) procedures with an alpha significance level of t)S. Results indicated no significant goal structure effects. Music self-esteem did have significant effects on motivation outcomes, but not on achievement. Similarly, there were significant pre-test versus post-test differences for motivation, but not achievement. Students' future goal structure preference (competitive versus non-competitive) was significantly related to the type of goal structure they had experienced within this study. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Immoral Judgement, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Criminal Behaviour
Authors: Addad Moshe , Leslau Avraham 
Published: March 2007

The present article examines delinquent behaviour by integrating two approaches which have heretofore been employed separately—Eysenck's theory linking delinquency to extraversion and neuroticism and Kohlberg's theory of moral development and its connection to moral behaviour. It analyses the relations between extraversion, neuroticism and moral judgement—as well as their independent and/or interactive effect upon the development of anti-social behaviour. The relationships are tested via retrospective measurements of personality traits and moral judgement in three groups: delinquency (N= 203), control (N= 82) and comparative (N= 407) groups. Findings indicate that criminals are higher than control subjects on neuroticism and immoral judgement but not on extraversion. Similar relationships were found between criminals and the comparative group. The implications of these results for the differential development of anti-social behaviour is discussed.
Melt State Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene/EPDM/Silicon Dioxide Composites
Authors: Scott C. , Ishida H. , Maurer F.H.J. 
Published: March 2007

Dynamic mechanical spectra of composites of high density polyethylene (PE), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and silicon powder with an oxidized sur face were obtained at 190°C with a parallel plate instrument. The dynamic mechanical be havior of these composites was significantly influenced by the surface character of the sili con dioxide powder. Composites of silicon dioxide in PE displayed higher reinforcing effects than expected based on the properties of the constituent materials assuming spherical particles. Treat ment of the silicon dioxide with either gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (γ-APS) or gamma-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (γ-MPS) increased the dynamic shear mod ulus of these composites. Composites were also made with EPDM and EPDM grafted with maleic anhydride (EPDM-MA) and silicon dioxide in PE. The rubber addition had a significant effect on the properties of the resultant composites. The silicon dioxide was also treated with γ-APS and γ-MPS before incorporation into multicomponent compos ites. The surface character of the filler influenced the properties of the composites. There is evidence for a reaction between γ-APS and EPDM-MA during processing on the roll mill.
The Relationship Between Dogmatism Scores and Performance Ratings Among Adult Educators
Authors: Funk C. Dennis , Carter G.L. 
Published: March 2007

As a part of a larger research undertaking concerned with identify ing variables which contribute to high performance among adult educators, particularly Extension personnel, this study was ad dressed to an examination of the relationship between dogmatism (open-closed-mindedness) and job performance. Data were col lected by mail questionnaires from 486 out of 503 (96.6%) county Extension workers with major responsibility for adult education programs in agriculture in five states. Dogmatism was measured by the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale (Form E) included in the ques tionnaire. Performance was determined by supervisor ratings using the paired comparison technique. The data revealed a slight negative relationship (gamma = -.19) between dogmatism and performance. This relationship was affected by the age and level of education of the respondents. Open-minded agents tended to be rated higher in performance than the close-minded.
Conference Report:
Authors: Bennett Linda 
Published: March 2007

A new, in-depth research study into what makes group incentive reward programs successful found that site variables have more than twice as much impact on how well employees respond to a group incentive reward program as do plan variables themselves, although both are important. Site variables include such factors as top management's attitude toward the group incentive reward plan at each site, the enthusiasm for the plan at each site, and methods of plan implementation at each site. This is one of the key preliminary research findings on group incentive reward programs from the most recent CARS research project. These findings were presented by Susan Murphy (SRM, Inc.), Elizabeth Hawk (Sibson and Company), and Jerry Mc Adams (Watson Wyatt) at the American Compensation Association's annual conference in Orlando, Florida, on May 7. "CARS" is an acronym for an ongoing ACA research project into reward strategies sponsored by the Consortium for Alternative Reward Strategies research. "CARS IV, Group Plan Effectiveness: Case Study Research," consisted of an in-depth study of group incentive plans in 11 manufacturing groups in four companies. The study sought to determine the effect of the plans on all levels of employees, on business performance, and on organizational culture. The methodology included more than 70 management interviews, 1,200 employee surveys, and 22 employee focus groups, as well as quantitative data.
Case Study:
Authors: Heneman Robert L. , Eskew Don E. 
Published: March 2007

While senior managers are increasingly requiring macroeconomic data to justify new pay plans, the difficulties of measuring and assessing the economic impact of a pay proposal pose a dilemma for compensation professionals. In this case study, the authors illustrate how compensation professionals can provide senior managers with some of the data they require by assessing the direct impact of pay systems on employee attitudes toward pay. While "employee attitudes" may seem like soft, or subjective, data, a rigorously-designed employee survey can provide reliable numbers employers can use to design and evaluate pay systems. Given the established link between pay satisfaction, absenteeism, turnover, and unionization, senior management would do well not to ignore attitudinal indicators.
Bureaucrats as Public Policy-Makers and Their Self-Interests
Authors: Egeberg Morten 
Published: March 2007

That public bureaucrats, like most other people, might pursue their private interests as voters, job applicants and union members is hardly surprising. It is the postulate that bureaucrats' self-interested behavior penetrates their role as public decision-makers that represents a challenge, empirical-theoretically as well as normatively. To assess the assumption that bureaucrats' self-interests affect bureaucrats' decisions in their capacity as officials (the self-interest hypothesis), two main points are made. First, the probability that self-interests are conceived and made operational in different issue areas is considered. Second, it is argued that the explanatory power of bureaucrats' self-interests has to depend on characteristics of the self-interest phenomenon itself, for instance whether it is dealt with as a variable or a constant. Moreover, it has to depend on the relative importance of other explanations.
When is Size a Liability?
Authors: Brams Steven J. , Fishburn Peter C. 
Published: March 2007

Riker's `size principle' predicts that only minimal winning coalitions (MWCs) will form in n-person zero-sum games that satisfy certain conditions. After summarizing the logic of this principle, a model is proposed in which n players can be ordered from most to least weighty. Two different kinds of MWCs are distinguished: • those in which every member is `critical' (member-MWCs); and • member-MWCs that have the smallest weight (weight-MWCs). A member is critical when its defection causes an MWC to become losing. A listing of the possible categories of member-MWCs indicates that their numbers rapidly increase with the number of players (2, 6, 20, and 116 for n = 3, 4, 5, and 6 players). Three quantitative measures of bargaining power show that less weighty players may, on occasion, be more powerful than more weighty players. Possible empirical manifestations of the inverse relationship between weight and bargaining power in parliamentary coalitions and international politics are discussed.
Mario M. Cuomo Decides to Run: The Construction of a Political Self
Authors: Wiesner Marcus J. 
Published: March 2007

This report is based on a hermeneutic, or interpretive investigation of a portion of the diary of Governor Cuomo of New York State, published in 1984, under the title Diaries of Mario M. Cuomo: The Campaign for Governor. The study, which was undertaken as a doctoral dissertation project, analyzed the role of his diary as narrative, in giving form and substance to Cuomo's inner and political selves. It investigated two propositions: (a) that narrative was used to create a convincing, even compelling political self that the author claimed represented his authentic self, and (b) that the writing of the narrative was therapeutic in reconciling the political self on display to his inner self. Systematic analysis revealed a `shadow' story, a subtext that told the story of Cuomo's self-serving and intentional undermining of Governor Hugh Carey, to whom he was publicly connected, but whom he wanted to replace. The contrivance found in Cuomo's narrative undermined acceptance of both the authenticity of his self-representation and the evidence of its self-therapeutic use. The notion is discussed that narrative may have served Cuomo as a medium for embodying an emerging self, a transformative means for him to instantiate the personal-social identity he claimed. The implications of the use of interpretive review to produce data-supported claims of `truth' about human activity are elaborated. The clues the study offers to understanding Cuomo's future political behavior are noted.
Re-entry and the Academic and Psychological Problems of the Second Generation
Authors: Şahin Nesrin Hisli 
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare the re-entering second generation of Turkish migrants and their "resident" peers in terms of academic and psychological adjust ment. Academic adjustment was defined as receiving passing grades on courses chosen for this study (social studies, science, maths, Turkish, foreign language). Psychological adjustment was defined as receiving scores within the range of one standard deviation above or below the mean on the Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Trait Form. The subjects were 800 "returnee" students and 599 "resident" students. The chi square and t-test comparisons were inade in terms of several related variables like age, gender, type of school attended, living with/without the family, private academic support, year of return, returning with/without the family, length of time spent abroad, Turkish language courses taken abroad, and re-entry orientation courses attended upon return. In general, the returnee students showed less achievement compared to resident peers and they scored significantly higher on depression and anxiety measures. These results are discussed in the light of the culture shock and re-entry research .
Science and Technology Development in Pakistan
Authors: Naim Tanveer 
Published: March 2007

This article covers the fifty-three-year history of the establishment of scientific and techno logical infrastructure of Pakistan. It includes policy issues, review studies and some promi nent personalities who were actively involved in the establishment of various S&T organisations since independence. The article also reviews the development of S& T man power and a number of institutions where high-level and technical manpower is trained. The priority areas of national development and major R&D organisations in these areas are covered. The activities of these organisations and their achievements are discussed as well. The role of R&D organisations in the industrialisation of Pakistan and policies followed are also reviewed. The article also provides a brief account of science popularisation programmes, and the role of non-govemmental organisations (NGOs) and the media in Pakistan's efforts to promote science and technology.
Small Player Advantage in a New Game: Capturing Opportunity as Developing Countries from the New Globalism of Technology
Authors: Hill Stephen C. 
Published: March 2007

As the world moves towards the twenty-first century, developing nations are confronted with a complex and challenging paradigmatic shift in the way that technological process is becoming embedded in the globalised economic framework of development. There is a perceptible shift taking place from economic power being derived from nationally owned production facilities to economic power being derived from the national location of high value-added activities. As developing countries are opening up, there is a greater incidence, than ever before, to transfer advanced technological processes and know-how to the developing partners as a part of the global networking strategies. As opposed to the earlier strategies, these new networking strategies seek to encourage establishment of locally based research, development and design facilities to meet both the local and inter- ndtional demand for increasingly sophisticated spectrum of products. Developing nations stand to capture and gain from these advantages provided their structures are equipped to bed these new knowledge capacities into their national technology strategies. There is a series of various factor advantages behind these new demands of economic competition. At the heart of capturing value-added advantage from the new economic and technological order lies the whole spectrum of reordering the S&T skill base including the educational system which seeks to develop more strategically informed inter- and multidisciplinary S&T programmes. Entirely different principles of science and technology policies are implied which focus on the development and flow of people embedding national SBcT advance into aligned social and organisational strategies.
Local Pentity and Language Issues in Switzerland's Education System
Authors: Hega Gunther M. 
Published: March 2007

This article examines the effects of local identity and regional linguistic diversity on Swiss education policy within the context of Switzerland's multiethnic and multilingual society. I argue that identity and language issues have an important influence on education policy at the national, state, and local level. Based on a case study of the introduction of second language instruction in Swiss public schools, the paper shows how regional linguistic and cultural differences, coupled with Switzerlands decentralized political system and mechanisms of direct democratic citizens' participation, reinforce the significant regional and local variations in educational systems andpolicies across the 26Swiss cantons. Education is one of the most important areas of Swiss cantonal sovereignty and local autonomy. But increasingly, educational issues require action at the national level. Although the education system will likely remain firmly anchored in its local context, and local identities will continue to shape the cantonal school systems, a future integrative national approach must encompass local institutions and traditions. Based on these parameters, three possible futures of Swiss education policy are conceivable: first scenario, where the federal government, in its effort to coordinate, lead and create greater national uniformity in the context of an increasingly integrated and newly dynamic Europe, supplants the cantons which do not have the capacity to address education issues of a larger scale; a second hypothesis of a cantonal predominance, where the cantons, based on their cultural traditions, their socioeconomic structures and demographic composition, remain the dominant political actors whose conflicts define Swiss reality; and a third model, where the cantons receive strong and dynamic impulses from the national government and adapt them to their local environment. This third model could ensure that the cantons maintain their local identity, but master the national and international challenges that Switzerlan must face presently and in the near future.
One-Dimensional Thermomechanical Constitutive Relations for Shape Memory Materials
Authors: Liang C. , Rogers C.A. 
Published: March 2007

The use of the thermoelastic martensitic transformation and its reverse transformation has recently been proposed and demonstrated for several active control ap plications. However, the present constitutive models have lacked several important funda mental concepts that are essential for many of the proposed intelligent material system ap plications such as shape memory hybrid composites. A complete, unified, one-dimensional constitutive model of shape memory materials is developed and presented in this paper. The thermomechanical model formulation herein will investigate important material characteristics involved with the internal phase transformation of shape memory alloys. These characteristics include energy dissipation in the material that governs the damping behavior, stress-strain-temperature relations for pseudoelasticity, and the shape memory effect. Some numerical examples using the model are also presented.
Explorations in Evolutionary Robotics
Authors: Cliff Dave , Husbands Phil , Harvey Inman 
Published: March 2007

We discuss the methodological foundations for our work on the development of cognitive architectures, or control systems, for situated autonomous agents. Our focus is the problems of developing sensorimotor control systems for mobile robots, but we also discuss the applicability of our approach to the study of biological systems. We argue that, for agents required to exhibit sophisticated interactions with their environments, complex sensorimotor processing is necessary, and the design, by hand, of control systems capable of such processing is likely to become prohibitively difficult as complexity increases. We propose an automatic design process involving artificial evolution, wherein the basic building blocks used for evolving cognitive architectures are noise-tolerant dynamical neural networks. These networks may be recurrent and should operate in real time. The evolution should be incremental, using an extended and modified version of a genetic algorithm. Practical constraints suggest that initial architecture evaluations should be done largely in simulation. To support our claims and proposals, we summarize results from some preliminary simulation experiments in which visually guided robots are evolved to operate in simple environments. Significantly, our results demonstrate that robust visually guided control systems evolve from evaluation functions that do not explicitly require monitoring visual input. We outline the difficulties involved in continuing with simulations and conclude by describing specialized visuorobotic equipment, designed to eliminate the need for simulated sensors and actuators.