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Theoretical Discussion (theoretical + discussion)
Selected AbstractsCorporate Governance of Banks in Developing Economies: concepts and issuesCORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 3 2004T. G. Arun This paper discusses the corporate governance of banking institutions in developing economies. This is an important issue given the essential role that banks play in the financial systems of developing economies and the widespread banking reforms that these economies have implemented. Based on a theoretical discussion of the corporate governance of banks, we suggest that banking reforms can only be fully implemented once a prudential regulatory system is in place. An integral part of banking reforms in developing economies is the privatisation of banks. We suggest that corporate governance reforms may be a prerequisite for the successful divestiture of government ownership. Furthermore, we also suggest that the increased competition resulting from the entrance of foreign banks may improve the corporate governance of developing-economy banks. [source] Applying cognitive adjustment theory to cross-cultural training for global virtual teamsHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2009Julia Brandl Abstract Global virtual teams are faced with the challenge of developing trust in a technology-mediated context to overcome anxiety and uncertainty in their interactions. Research shows that adjustment is a function of an individual's ability to manage his or her anxiety and uncertainty in an unknown context (Gudykunst, 1995). We propose that the type of cross-cultural training (CCT) received can influence cognitive adjustment in global virtual teams. Building on phenomenology and sense-making theory, we argue that training needs to develop global virtual team members' capabilities in dealing with the unknown rather than providing ready-made concepts of cultures. Managerial implications of our theoretical discussion of cognitive adjustment and how CCT influences it are discussed, as are directions for future research. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] "More English than England itself": the simulation of authenticity in foreign language practice in JapanINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS, Issue 3 2005Philip Seargeant This article examines the way in which the concept of ,authenticity' operates as a key motif in the construction of the symbolic cultural meaning of English as a foreign language in Japan. It reviews the way the term is used in a technical sense in language teaching and the political implications of its competing definitions within this context, then contrasts this with examples drawn from language institutions in Japan in which ideas of ,authenticity' are central to the way that English is sold to society. It is argued that the presentation of the language within these terms constructs and maintains elaborate simulations of English-language society within Japan, which produces an ideology that may be in direct conflict with the prevailing conception of the role of English as an international language. The article considers the effect that such social practice has on the role of English within Japan and the implications of this for theoretical discussion of the relationship between this global language and local culture. [source] Consumer service and loyalty in Spanish grocery store retailing: an empirical studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 4 2009Arturo Molina Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of consumer service on loyalty in retail establishments. Based on a theoretical discussion regarding the relationship between waiting time, product quality, store atmosphere and loyalty, an empirical research was conducted to test the proposed relationships. Multiple-item indicators from previous studies were used to measure the constructs. Results from the study provide empirical support, suggesting that consumer service through three dimensions influences loyalty. Research results suggest that consumer service in retail establishments can be viewed as a threshold factor in order to maintain satisfied and loyal customers. Additionally, managers should consider that loyalty depends on waiting time, product quality and store atmosphere. The present study provides useful information on the relationship between consumer service and loyalty in retailing. [source] An efficient architecture for Bandwidth Brokers in DiffServ networksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NETWORK MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008Ch. Bouras In this article we examine the architecture of an entity used for automatic management and provisioning of resources for DiffServ networks. We examine the existing literature and implementations in this area, focusing on the design choices made, and we propose an architecture for the design of Bandwidth Brokers that combines an adaptive admission control algorithm for increased utilization of network resources and a mechanism for reducing the complexity overhead that intends to be both simple and effective. Specifically, we present a novel architecture for the admission control module that aims at achieving a satisfactory balance between maximizing the resource utilization for the network provider and minimizing the overhead of the module. We complement our theoretical discussion with extensive experimental simulations for the proposed Bandwidth Broker components and analysis of the results. The simulations study the possible configurations of the proposed algorithm and also compare it with alternative admission control policies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Researching human resource development: emergence of a critical approach to HRD enquiryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2006Claire Valentin This paper argues that mainstream research in management and human resource development (HRD) is dominated by a positivist paradigm. In a theoretical discussion and review of literature on management, human resource management, HRD and organization studies, it explores critical perspectives in research, which draw on postmodernism and critical theory. It examines how they have contributed to the emergence of a critical HRD and discusses the features of a critical HRD research. [source] Experiencing Conversations: Bridging the Gap between Discourse and ActivityJOURNAL FOR THE THEORY OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, Issue 3 2008ANNALISA SANNINO ABSTRACT The article introduces the Vygotskian tradition in the realist theoretical discussion of the structure-agency problem. Archer's concept of internal conversation is discussed in terms of internalization and externalization of conversational dynamics. The article addresses in particular the methodological issue of observing how external events trigger internal use of language, and how these internal dynamics are externalized. The experience of talk is proposed as a conceptual key to the understanding of internal conversations and of the relation between structured activity and agency. The experience of talk is defined with the help of the notions of emotional experience, personal sense and inner speech, as they are conceptualized in activity theory and in particular in the works of L.S. Vygotsky and A.N. Leont'ev. Students' experiences of critical conversational events with teachers are analyzed on the basis of written autobiographical accounts. The experience of talk emerges from the analysis as a form of emotional experience in which the horizon of the individual's subjective view relates to specific circumstances external to the individual. Autobiographical accounts of critical conversations are suggested as a type of data which allows access to the experience of talk. [source] Writing the reflexive self: an autoethnography of alcoholism and the impact of psychotherapy cultureJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 7 2010A. GRANT ba (hons) ma phd cert res meth pgctlhe, enb 650 cert Accessible summary ,,Experimental ethnography allows for the use of fiction in writing. Fiction both enables the preservation of anonymity in accounts based on real people and events and breaks down the barrier between art and science in ethnographic work. The use of fiction, which should not be regarded as synonymous with falsehood, arguably facilitates telling tales in a dramatic and enjoyable way. It is also a useful way of ,writing the self', so that the researcher and the researched become one and the same. Writing the self means using fiction and other literary tools to both construct and clarify the person being written about. In the case of autoethnography, this person is both the researcher and the researched. ,,The short story, which forms the heart of this paper, is based on the author's battle with alcoholism over two decades. It utilizes literary devices, including poetry, time changes, and moves from describing the main protagonist in the story in first to third person. The story describes the author's experiences of feeling increasingly stigmatized and treated as ,other' by members of the humanistic counselling and therapy fraternity. ,,The paper draws to an end with a theoretical discussion of the development of selfhood in society, including the ways in which alcoholic selves can become stigmatized and ,othered'. The author invites readers to contribute towards ending ,us,them' divisions. Abstract Experimental ethnography enables the use of fictionalized accounts that celebrate partial truths and challenge realist and positivist ethnographic authority. Literary devices drawn from fiction arguably allow social researchers to better portray real events. Fiction, which should not be regarded as synonymous with falsehood, enables the telling of tales in dramatic and enjoyable ways. In this account , an autoethnography of alcoholism and the impact of therapy culture , the author's intention is not to make claims for a final word or closure on the topics raised, and juxtaposed with appropriate social theory. It is rather hoped that the text will trigger further meaning creation on the part of the reader and, in terms of praxis, contribute towards creating a kinder and more humane mental health nursing and therapy practice and in the ,off duty' world. [source] On L1 -minimization in optimal control and applications to roboticsOPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS AND METHODS, Issue 6 2006G. Vossen Abstract In this paper, we analyze optimal control problems with control variables appearing linearly in the dynamics. We discuss different cost functionals involving the Lp -norm of the control. The case p = 0 represents the time-optimal control, the case p > 1 yields a standard smooth optimal control problem, whereas the case p = 1 leads to a nonsmooth cost functional. Several techniques are developed to deal with the nonsmooth case p = 1. We present a thorough theoretical discussion of the necessary conditions. Two types of numerical methods are developed: either a regularization technique is used or an augmentation approach is applied in which the number of control variables is doubled. We show the precise relations between the L1 -minimal control and the bang,bang or singular controls in the augmented problem. Using second-order sufficient conditions (SSC) for bang,bang controls, we obtain SSC for L1 -minimal controls. The different techniques and results are illustrated with an example of the optimal control for a free-flying robot which is taken from Sakawa. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Science, Policy Advocacy, and Marine Protected AreasCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009NOELLA J. GRAY área marina cabildeo político; protegida; credibilidad; positivismo Abstract:,Much has been written in recent years regarding whether and to what extent scientists should engage in the policy process, and the focus has been primarily on the issue of advocacy. Despite extensive theoretical discussions, little has been done to study attitudes toward and consequences of such advocacy in particular cases. We assessed attitudes toward science and policy advocacy in the case of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the basis of a survey of delegates at the First International Marine Protected Areas Congress. Delegates were all members of the international marine conservation community and represented academic, government, and nongovernmental organizations. A majority of respondents believed science is objective but only a minority believed that values can be eliminated from science. Respondents showed only partial support of positivist principles of science. Almost all respondents supported scientists being integrated into MPA policy making, whereas half of the respondents agreed that scientists should actively advocate for particular MPA policies. Scientists with a positivist view of science supported a minimal role for scientists in policy, whereas government staff with positivist beliefs supported an advocacy or decision-making role for scientists. Policy-making processes for MPAs need to account for these divergent attitudes toward science and advocacy if science-driven and participatory approaches are to be reconciled. Resumen:,Mucho se ha escrito en años recientes sobre sí y hasta que punto deben involucrarse los científicos en el proceso político, y el enfoque ha sido principalmente en el tema del cabildeo. No obstante extensas discusiones teóricas, se ha hecho poco para estudiar las actitudes hacia y las consecuencias del cabildeo en casos particulares. Evaluamos actitudes hacia la ciencia y el cabildeo político en el caso de áreas marinas protegidas (AMP) con base en un muestreo de delegados en el Primer Congreso Internacional de Áreas Marinas Protegidas (1CIAMP). Todos los delegados eran miembros de comunidad internacional de conservación marina y representaban a organizaciones académicas, gubernamentales y no gubernamentales. La mayoría de respondientes consideraron que la ciencia es objetiva pero solo una minoría creyó que los valores pueden ser eliminados de la ciencia. Los respondientes mostraron apoyo solo parcial a los principios positivistas de la ciencia. Casi todos los respondientes apoyaron que los científicos deben ser integrados a la definición de políticas para las AMP, mientras que la mitad de los respondientes estuvo de acuerdo en que los científicos deben cabildear activamente a favor de políticas AMP particulares. Los científicos con una visión positivista de la ciencia apoyaron un papel mínimo para los científicos en política, mientras que el personal gubernamental con creencias positivistas apoyó un papel en el cabildeo y toma de decisiones para los científicos. Los procesos de definición de políticas para AMP deben considerar estas actitudes divergentes hacia la ciencia y el cabildeo sí se quiere reconciliar a los métodos basados en ciencia y los participativos. [source] "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": The Influence of Stigma Concealing and Perceived Threat on Perceivers' Reactions to a Gay TargetJOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Debra L. Oswald This research examined reactions to a gay target who was either concealing or not concealing his sexual orientation under conditions of threat (HIV-positive) or no threat (healthy). When the target concealed his sexual orientation, participants were more willing to interact socially with him, but rated him as having more negative characteristics than when he was open about his sexual orientation. Participants rated a threatening target more negatively on a thermometer evaluation, perceived him to be more immoral, had more negative affective reactions, and desired more social distance than when the target was nonthreatening. The results are integrated with previous theoretical discussions and are considered in terms of the conflicting motivations of perceivers and targets. [source] Using a synthesised technique for grounded theory in nursing researchJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 16 2009Hsiao-Yu Chen Aims., To introduce a synthesised technique for using grounded theory in nursing research. Background., Nursing increasingly uses grounded theory for a broadened perspective on nursing practice and research. Nurse researchers have choices in how to choose and use grounded theory as a research method. These choices come from a deep understanding of the different versions of grounded theory, including Glaser's classic grounded theory and Strauss and Corbin's later approach. Design., Grounded theory related literature review was conducted. Methods., This is a methodological review paper. Results., Nursing researchers intent on using a grounded theory methodology should pay attention to the theoretical discussions including theoretical sampling, theoretical sensitivity, constant comparative methods and asking questions, keeping memoranda diagramming, identification of a core category and a resultant explanatory theory. A synthesised approach is developed for use, based on Strauss and Corbin's style of sampling and memoranda writing, but selecting theoretical coding families, that differ from the paradigm model of Strauss and Corbin, from the wide range suggested by Glaser. This led to the development of a multi-step synthesised approach to grounded theory data analysis based on the works of Glaser, Charmaz and Strauss and Corbin. Conclusions., The use of this synthesised approach provides a true reflection of Glaser's idea of ,emergence of theory from the data' and Strauss and Corbin's style of sampling and memoranda writing is employed. This multi-step synthesised method of data analysis maintains the philosophical perspective of grounded theory. Relevance to clinical practice., This method indicates how grounded theory has developed, where it might go next in nursing research and how it may continue to evolve. [source] Modernism and the Machine FarmerJOURNAL OF HISTORICAL SOCIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Rod Bantjes In this paper I apply recent theoretical discussions of the spatial character of modernity to a ,rural' context. I argue that neither modernity nor ,modernism' has been an exclusively ,urban' phenomenon in the twentieth century, and that attention to modernism in the countryside yields insights into the modernist project. From the beginning of the twentieth century, the apparently ,rural' spaces of the prairie west were already integrated into modern trans-local structures. Wheat farmers were ahead of their contemporaries in their appreciation of the nature and scale of modern distanciated relationships. They were ,modernist' in embracing and celebrating the technologies, particularly organizational technologies, for dominating space and time. They were also innovators in modern organizational design, seeking creatively to control the modern "machine" and to bridge the local and the ,global.' Their progressive experimentation culminated in a surprising proposal for ,co-operative farms' not unlike Soviet collective farms. [source] Consequences of ambivalence on satisfaction and loyaltyPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 3 2005Svein Ottar Olsen The key objective of this study was to understand the consequences of subjective ambivalence on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and the satisfaction,loyalty relationship. The conceptual and theoretical discussions were derived largely from recent research in social psychology and integrated with marketing literature on satisfaction and loyalty. Given that product evaluations are typically positive and extreme, these findings indicate a negative relationship between ambivalence and satisfaction. Even though a great deal of the variance in ambivalence is shared with satisfaction, ambivalence did prove to have an independent and direct effect on loyalty. Ambivalent consumers are not only less loyal because they are less satisfied, but for other reasons, as well. Ambivalence was not found to moderate the satisfaction,loyalty relationship. The results of the study underscore the importance of taking ambivalence into consideration when measuring satisfaction and modeling satisfaction,loyalty relationships. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] THE CONCEPT OF ,ART' IN HENRICIAN ENGLANDART HISTORY, Issue 2 2009TATIANA C. STRING This article suggests revisions to the scholarly orthodoxies concerning the status of art in Early Modern England, particularly during the reign of Henry viii. In the absence of the theoretical discussions of art that existed elsewhere in Europe, one must explore other methodological possibilities. What emerges is a more sophisticated appreciation of art than has been realized. Of particular value as evidence are the royal inventories, which reveal not only the types of art collected, but also the manner of its display. The approaches adopted here, it is argued, have wider applications beyond the study of Tudor England. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||