title: Young people's experiences of citizenship in relation to place: A case study of three rural communities in Germany

authors: Suppers, Janina

abstract: Young people's experiences of citizenship play a significant part in shaping their citizenship norms and practices. While young people's experiences as citizens have been explored in the literature, the places they inhabit, which shape their experiences, are often not considered. Using qualitative case study evidence in the form of 13 focus groups (n = 35) and 21 interviews with secondary school students aged 13–17 from three rural communities in Germany, this research contributes to our understanding of how place is related to young people's experiences of citizenship. Findings suggest that place acted as a reference point when participants discussed their citizenship practices. Furthermore, place determined the citizenship spaces participants encountered and acted as a lens through which current citizenship issues were interpreted.

text: Young people's experiences of citizenship in relation to place: A case study of three rural communities in Germany Young people's experiences of citizenship play a significant part in shaping their citizenship norms and practices. While young people's experiences as citizens have been explored in the literature, the places they inhabit, which shape their experiences, are often not considered. Using qualitative case study evidence in the form of 13 focus groups (n = 35) and 21 interviews with secondary school students aged 13–17 from three rural communities in Germany, this research contributes to our understanding of how place is related to young people's experiences of citizenship. Findings suggest that place acted as a reference point when participants discussed their citizenship practices. Furthermore, place determined the citizenship spaces participants encountered and acted as a lens through which current citizenship issues were interpreted.

year: 2024

title: Absorptive capacity and internationalization of New Zealand high-tech SMEs in the agro-technology sector

authors: Sedoglavich, Vesna

subjects: absorptive capacity

abstract: This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology.

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. 

The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs.

The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. 

The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

text: Absorptive capacity and internationalization of New Zealand high-tech SMEs in the agro-technology sector This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology.

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. 

The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs.

The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. 

The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

year: 2008

title: Māori language research

authors: Barbour, Julie Renee

subjects: Māori language research

abstract: The theme of this special issue is Māori language research. Contributions to the special issue cover linguistic topics surrounding language revitalisation and pedagogy topics, ranging from acoustic to morphosyntactic analysis. At its heart, each paper is concerned with te reo Māori, as it is learned, taught, spoken and valued in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century. The inspiration for this special issue came from the global events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), and the realisation that the linguistic community in Aotearoa New Zealand could, and should, be doing more to support our Indigenous language.

text: Māori language research The theme of this special issue is Māori language research. Contributions to the special issue cover linguistic topics surrounding language revitalisation and pedagogy topics, ranging from acoustic to morphosyntactic analysis. At its heart, each paper is concerned with te reo Māori, as it is learned, taught, spoken and valued in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century. The inspiration for this special issue came from the global events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), and the realisation that the linguistic community in Aotearoa New Zealand could, and should, be doing more to support our Indigenous language.

year: 2024