Towards a cross-cultural education framework for online safety awareness

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Herkanaidu ◽  
Steven M. Furnell ◽  
Maria Papadaki
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Safety ◽  
Safety Awareness

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine effective online safety awareness education for young people in less developed countries. The research followed an explanatory mixed methods design starting with an online survey (quantitative element) and then interesting or anomalous findings were followed up with one-on-one interviews (qualitative element). The data gathered on the online habits and views of young people were fed into the Young People Online Model. It was also used to create online safety workshops. The standout issue from this research is the prevalence of cyberbullying, and this was used as the core theme. They were carried out using the action-research approach, whereby after each workshop, the facilitators would reflect and analyse and suggest improvements for the next one. Design/methodology/approach The majority of online safety awareness education programmes have been developed in and for advanced countries. In less developed countries, there are fewer programmes as well as a lack of research on the factors that influence the online behaviour of young people online. The Young People Online Education Framework seeks to address this and provide educators, researchers and policymakers an evidence driven construct for developing education programmes informed by issues affecting young people in their respective country/region. Findings The framework was applied in Thailand. As there were very few previous studies, original research was conducted via surveys and interviews. It was found that a high proportion of young people had experienced negative interactions online with cyberbullying the main concern. This was confirmed during the workshop phase indicating the need for more research and workshops. There is a plan to continue the research in Thailand, and it is hoped that other researchers will make use of the framework to extend its scope and application. Originality/value A novel feature of this framework is the cultural mask. The cultural context of learners is often overlooked in education, especially when education programmes are imported from other countries. This research contends that effective learning strategies and programmes will have a better chance to succeed if the cultural makeup of the target audience is considered and that all topics and activities are parsed through the cultural mask element of the framework.

Examining systematic technological learning of Syrian textile industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-142
Author(s):  
Sepehr Ghazinoory ◽  
Ammar Ali Ali ◽  
AliReza Hassanzadeh ◽  
Mehdi Majidpour
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Textile Industry ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Incremental Innovation ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Infrastructure ◽  
Technological Learning

PurposeBecause of importance of technological learning for less developed countries, the notion has received increasing attention of scholars. The purpose of this paper is to investigate technological learning systematically by assessing the effect of technology transfer actors on technological learning in less developed countries context.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents assessment model by adopting technological learning concept based on technology absorption and incremental innovation at firm level and identifying key roles of technology transfer actors (State – Scientific and technological infrastructure – Industry) that affect technological learning. The paper follows survey as research methodology. Thus, a questionnaire was addressed to 33 Syrian textile factories to examine the assessment model. Simple linear, multiple linear and ordinal regression analyses are preformed to examine relationships of model components.FindingsThe regression models show notable ability of technology transfer actors to explain technological behavior of firms to accumulate operative capability and consequently to generate passive incremental innovation. The findings indicate passive technical change system of Syrian textile industry. Therefore, goal-oriented evaluation of actual technology policy is preliminary step for achieving improvements, as well as activating scientific and technological infrastructure role by enabling strong relationships with industry and supporting interactions of domestic firms of textile industry and with foreign players.Originality/valueThe paper enriches technological learning literature by proposing systematic approach that sets the nature of technical change process of less developed countries in core of analysis. Moreover, it provides a guide for technological learning practices at firm level and for policymakers based on assessing actual status of Syrian textile industry.

scholarly journals Lessons on a novel integration approach of emerging market acquisitions in developed countries

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Figueira ◽  
Rui Torres de Oliveira ◽  
Daniel Rottig ◽  
Francesca Spigarelli
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Market ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Integration Approach ◽  
Acquisition Integration ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Context Specific

PurposeThis paper constitutes an explorative study into post-acquisition implementation of emerging market acquisitions in developed countries. More specifically, the study aims to better understand how low capability Chinese firms are able to capture value when acquiring high-capability targets in developed countries through a novel post-acquisition integration approach. In so doing, we set out to contribute to the literature on, and managerial insights into, the factors that determine the success of emerging market acquisitions, in general, and the context-specific use of post-acquisition implementation approaches, in particular.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a qualitative analysis and multiple case study design based on a phenomenon-based research approach. Data and information were collected through semi-structure executive interviews, observations, secondary sources, company report and media accounts.FindingsBased on institutional theory, this study develops a conceptual framework for a tacit value approach toward the integration of acquisitions of developed market targets by emerging market acquirers.Originality/valueThe proposed tacit value approach of post-acquisition integration, which refers to the creation of intangible value over time, differs from the explicit value approach that is associated with the transaction-cost literature and more focused on the creation of tangible value in the short-term.

“I like computers. I hate coding”: a portrait of two teens’ experiences

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 349-365
Author(s):  
Paulina Haduong
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Student Motivation ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Learner Motivation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learner Identity ◽  
Novice Programmer ◽  
Block Based

Purpose Some empirical evidence suggests that historically marginalized young people may enter introductory programming experiences with skepticism or reluctance, because of negative perceptions of the computing field. This paper aims to explore how learner identity and motivation can affect their experiences in an introductory computer science (CS) experience, particularly for young people who have some prior experience with computing. In this program, learners were asked to develop digital media artifacts about civic issues using Scratch, a block-based programming language. Design/methodology/approach Through participant observation as a teacher and designer of the course, artifact analysis of student-generated computer programs and design journals, as well as with two follow-up 1-h interviews, the author used the qualitative method of portraiture to examine how two reluctant learners experienced a six-week introductory CS program. Findings These learners’ experiences illuminate the ways in which identity, community and competence can play a role in supporting learner motivation in CS education experiences. Research limitations/implications As more students have multiple introductory computing encounters, educators need to take into account not only their perceptions of the computing field more broadly but also specific prior encounters with programming. Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Researchers are encouraged to explore other contexts and examples further. Practical implications This portrait highlights the need for researchers and educators to take into account student motivation in the design of learning environments. Originality/value This portrait offers a novel examination of novice programmer experiences through the choice in method, as well as new examples of how learner identity can affect student motivation.

Country-of-origin and CSR initiatives: a social dominance perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-515
Author(s):  
Leyla Orudzheva ◽  
Nolan Gaffney
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Context

Purpose Research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) continues to proliferate, but why and how multinational enterprises (MNEs) from different parts of the world engage in CSR is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in behavior based on the status of the MNE’s home country relative to the host country. Design/methodology/approach Applying a social dominance theory (SDT) framework, the authors explain variations in MNE behavior because of perceived hierarchical differences between a MNE’s home country and that of the host country. It is posited that these hierarchical differences trigger a country-of-origin bias that affects stakeholders’ expectations for the MNE, as well as that firm’s response to those expectations. In this integrative conceptual paper, we propose a testable framework derived from a deductive approach that applies the tenets of SDT to predict outcomes of CSR implementation by MNE’s subsidiaries. Findings MNEs from less developed countries are subject to lower expectations and engage in self-debilitating behavior, which may hinder their attempts to implement CSR initiatives in more developed countries. Paradoxically, engaging in CSR initiatives could help reduce liability of foreignness and increase chances for competitive advantage. Practical implications MNEs from developing countries should be aware of a potential country-of-origin bias affecting decisions on CSR implementation and that could also be detrimental to their competitive advantage when operating in more developed countries. Conversely, MNEs from developed countries should be ready for higher expectations of their CSR initiatives in less developed countries. Originality/value This paper strives to contribute to two extant literatures. First, it contributes to the social dominance literature by applying the perspective in the international business context, specifically research on MNE liability of origin. Second, this perspective offers testable propositions on how perceived hierarchies and liability of origin affect firm decision-making, specifically in the context of developing country MNEs. Third, this paper seeks to expand the discussion of MNE subsidiary CSR behavior to account for the relative context of the home and host country.

scholarly journals Formal institutional uncertainty and equity sought on foreign market entry: does industry matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-440
Author(s):  
Kashif Ahmed ◽  
Ralf Bebenroth ◽  
Jean-François Hennart
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Foreign Market Entry ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
Industry Classification ◽  
Institutional Uncertainty

Purpose This study aims to examine how the effect of host country formal institutional uncertainty on the percentage of equity sought in cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) is moderated by the host country industry (i.e. targets from the technology versus those from the non-technology industry). Design/methodology/approach This study is based upon the legitimacy perspective of institutional theory and uses Tobit regression analysis on a sample of 1,340 CBAs. Findings Results show that cross-border acquirers prefer a lower equity level for targets in institutionally less developed countries and that this negative effect of the host country institutional risk on the equity percentage sought is more pronounced for technology-based targets. Research limitations/implications Three major limitations of the study are as follows: The data were collected from only Japanese acquirers. The study measured formal institutional uncertainty by applying only secondary data. The study used the Bloomberg Industry Classification Systems, instead of the Standard Industry Classification that has been used widely in prior studies. Practical implications This study shows that the industry selected has a bearing on equity sought in CBAs. Investing in institutionally less developed countries is particularly challenging when the targets of acquisition are in the technology industry. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the moderating effects of an industry on the relationship between host country formal institutional uncertainty and the percentage of equity sought in CBAs.

A multicriteria assessment model for countries’ degree of preparedness for successful impact investing

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 2455-2471
Author(s):  
Teresa León ◽  
Vicente Liern ◽  
Blanca Pérez-Gladish
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Multiple Criteria ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Impact Investing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose In recent years there has been a significant acceleration in the market growth of social impact investing. Policy makers, regulatory bodies and national decision-makers should base their decision-making processes on multiple criteria. These criteria are, by nature, imprecise, ambiguous and uncertain. The purpose of this paper is to provide decision-makers with a mathematical tool which aids them in their decision-making processes identifying the degree of appropriateness of less developed countries in terms of potential success of investment in vaccination campaigns. Design/methodology/approach In this work, the authors have developed a decision-making tool within the framework of multiple criteria decision making and Fuzzy Logic, which aims to aid decision-makers for vaccinations campaigns in less developed countries. In particular, the authors have proposed a Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution-based method which is able to work in fuzzy environment in order to assess and rank countries based on their fuzzy degree of appropriateness for impact investing in vaccines. Findings The impact investing market provides capital from private sources to address many pressing global challenges such as access to basic services as health. Governments have, therefore, an essential role in supporting the development of this market by improving the risk/return profile of investments through access to credit facilities, tax credits or subsidies or defining the regulation of the supply of investments, provision of technical assistance to investing private companies and co-financing. The proposed framework permits funding decision making taking into account the degree of preparedness and adequacy for impact investing in vaccines of the selected countries. Research limitations/implications Impact investing can play a key role in the reduction of immunization gap offering suitable strategies for both, governments and private investors for the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in order to make good financial decisions managers should take into account not only health, income, education and other social criteria but also the degree of basic preparedness of the countries in order to ensure the success of the immunization campaigns which means taking into account availability of basic infrastructures, access to electricity, political stability among other criteria. Practical implications However, in order to make good financial decisions managers should take into account not only health, income, education and other social criteria but also the degree of basic preparedness of the countries in order to ensure the success of the immunization campaigns which means taking into account availability of basic infrastructures, access to electricity, political stability among other criteria. Originality/value The proposed model will allow public and private decision makers to make better investment decisions in terms of effectiveness as the provided ranking of countries candidates for the investments is more realistic and takes into account more decision dimensions.

Challenges of waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE)

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safdar Shah Khan ◽  
Suleman Aziz Lodhi ◽  
Faiza Akhtar ◽  
Irshad Khokar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Electronic Equipment ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safe Management ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the recent global situation on waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) management and recommend policy directions for designing environmental strategies. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research approach is adopted to review studies on WEEE management in developed and developing countries. The focus is to critically consider the available options for its safe management. Findings – Approximately 40-50 million tons of WEEE is generated worldwide annually and most of it is dumped in the developing countries. WEEE is not a challenge to be faced by a single country as it has trans-boundary effects and ultimately the contamination reaches back to the developed countries with a lapse of time. Research limitations/implications – Data availability on WEEE generation and disposal is in initial stages. Practical implications – Developing countries in Asia and Africa do not have resources to handle WEEE. The unregulated and unsafe WEEE management practices in these countries let hazardous materials to disseminate into the marine life and global ecosystem. Originality/value – The paper recommends policy directions to deal with the emerging issue that may have globally far reaching consequences.

A substitute for poor institutions? Interorganizational affiliations in the alliance formation process

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Rossmannek ◽  
Olaf N. Rank
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Formation Process ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
State Ownership ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Alliance Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Alliance Partners

Purpose This study aims to investigate how the home country institutional development influences the alliance formation process. Design/methodology/approach A network of strategic alliances between 95 airlines over a 5-year period is analyzed with stochastic actor-oriented models [i.e. Simulation investigation for empirical network analysis (SIENA)]. Robustness analyses use a subsample of these airlines over a period of 10 years. Findings The results demonstrate that the membership in a firm group and a high share of state ownership are more beneficial for the number of alliances if the firm originates from a country with low institutional development. Practical implications Firms from less developed countries can use affiliations (e.g. to firm groups or the government) as signals to attract international alliance partners. Social implications Policymakers from less developed countries should support the development of (local) firm groups to stimulate interorganizational cooperation. Originality/value Firms form alliances based on two aspects: preferences for alliance partners and attractiveness to potential partners. Prior studies outlined that institutional development affects the preferences of firms for alliance partners. This study demonstrates how the institutional development influences the attractiveness to potential partners.

Modulating corruption and money laundering through the Bretton Woods Institutions: the case of less developed countries (LDCs)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ejike Ekwueme
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bretton Woods ◽  
Bretton Woods Institutions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soft Laws

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to readily bring to the fore, the vital dimension that the Bretton Woods Institutions, exemplified by both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, has brought into the global economic template to dampen the momentum of corruption and money laundering through the impact of their activities in less developed countries (LDCs). The original mandate of the two institutions was to address the balance of payments and developmental issues of countries as a result of the devastating effects of the Second World War. However, this could not be achieved in an atmosphere engulfed with corruption and money laundering. As a result, it became necessary for them to intervene albeit through direct or indirect mechanisms demonstrated by the use of soft law bodies such as Basel Committee on Banking Supervisors (BCBS) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Design/methodology/approach This paper relies on primary legal documentations such as BCBS, FATF, articles of both IMF and World Bank to mention but a few in the analysis. The paper is doctrinal. Findings There is undoubtedly glaring indications that through the efforts of both IMF and the Bank, tremendous inroad has been made in LDCs in modulating the tempo of the malaise. Research limitations/implications This paper is addressed to the authorities that are concerned about the scourge of the malaise and the impact to pay more attention to the mechanisms of soft laws used by the Bretton Woods Institutions to get their anti-corruption message through in LDCs. Originality/value This lies on the fact that the efforts of both IMF and the Bank have awakened the importance that should be attached to some soft laws in curtailing the issues.

scholarly journals Awareness and effectiveness of quality function deployment (QFD) in design and build projects in Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romeo John ◽  
Andrew Smith ◽  
Sarich Chotipanich ◽  
Michael Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Quality Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Control Technique

Purpose – Quality function deployment (QFD) is a method for structured product planning and development that enables a development team to specify clearly the wants and needs of customers. This method has been successfully employed in the construction industry in developed countries. However, the benefits of QFD have not been practically realised in developing countries such as Nigeria. Hence, this research aims to investigate the awareness and effectiveness of QFD as a quality control technique that enhances the satisfaction of clients in terms of quality, cost and project delivery time in design and build projects. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative and quantitative research approach in the form of in-depth telephone interviews and questionnaires was used to obtain the views of construction professionals such as civil engineers, architects, project managers, chief executive officers and trades people involved in design and build projects in the Nigerian construction industry, as well as 50 clients to ascertain the level of satisfaction derived from these design and build projects. Findings – The results of this research are derived from statistical analysis and show that there is currently little awareness of QFD within the Nigerian construction industry or its potential effectiveness in design and build projects. Originality/value – There has been little previous research into the use of QFD in the Nigerian construction industry, hence this paper provides insight but also highlights the need for further research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document